Audrey Yang

Hi! My name is Audrey Yang, and I was born and raised in San Diego, California. I am beyond excited to attend the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson to pursue my MD and PhD degrees.

I am fortunate to have learned from a diverse range of clinical and research experiences. My research journey began with the San Diego County Epidemiology Department, where I analyzed injury statistics amongst trauma patients in the county. While at UCLA, I also had the opportunity to perform trauma research under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Ley and Dr. Navpreet Dhillon. Our work led to analysis on topics such as approaches to reducing deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms, the progression of complicated appendicitis among the elderly, the effects of IV electrolyte replacement among critically ill patients, and risk factors contributing to venous thromboembolism among massively transfused trauma patients. As a member of the Ley-Thomsen Laboratory at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, our laboratory examined the relation between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and traumatic brain injuries in the rat and mice model, with an interest in how the beta-adrenergic response after a traumatic brain injury affected the patient outcome.

The summer after graduating from UCLA, I conducted research with the Mpoma Community HIV/AIDS Initiative (MCHI) as a member of the nonprofit, GlobeMed. During the eight weeks I spent in Uganda doing grassroots work with MCHI, our research team conducted biweekly surveys in surrounding rural villages to gather information on community water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) views and practices. This experience led me to develop a strong passion for WASH research.

While earning my Master's in Public Health at the University of California, San Diego, I conducted environmental health research under the mentorship of Dr. Georgia Kayser. This work included assisting with a review on the occupational health hazards among Latinx migrant farmworkers, conducting a systematic review on how WASH practices affect gender equality and empowerment, and studying the safe predictors of microbial household water quality across multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa based on previously collected data. Motivated to better understand the WASH challenges faced by individuals in my community, I focused my MPH thesis on collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data on the water access and sanitation issues faced by residents of Imperial Valley, California.

I hope to continue my environmental public health research efforts while pursuing my MD and PhD degrees at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. By applying medical knowledge of the biological mechanisms and health effects of environmental hazards, I hope to inform and improve patient care amongst disadvantaged communities that are disproportionately affected.

Check out my ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2910-2823