The Aspen Global Innovators Group (AGI) would like to thank the Watson Foundation for an amazing summer experience working with their students. These seven Jeannette K. Watson Fellows decided to dedicate their summer to help AGI support innovators through out the world on the frontlines fighting COVID-19. These fellows comprised of two teams whose dedication and work were outstanding! Check out more about these fellows below.
Luz Maria Cespedes- Bronx, NY
Luz Maria Cespedes is a rising junior at the City College of New York; pursuing a double major in English and Theatre in pursuit of leading a storytelling movement that is inclusive and justice driven. She believes in the power of political art and that storytelling is the strongest, most important form of advocacy. Thanks to Luz’s role in the Young Democratic Socialist organization she has formed a unique approach to political organizing, one that prioritizes the fight for equity and justice. Her love and appreciation for Political Art is evident in her poetry and playwriting. She aspires to use her creativity and her leftist perspectives of the world to impact social change.
Sahiti Kovvuri – New Hyde Park, New York
Sahiti Kovvuri is a rising Sophomore at Baruch College pursuing Data Analytics and Cultural Anthropology She is interested in learning about the role of data analytics in the non-profit sector, as it has a massive potential to improve the lives of many, in unprecedented mediums. Sahiti is specifically interested in learning how she can immerse herself in learning about womxn issues of global communities (specifically in diasporas across the US) through the lens of social and systemic change. Beginning her involvement with social justice advocacy around the age of 14 with the YWCA of the City of New York, she has since been moved to amplify and create safe spaces for women and non-binary identifying BIPOC through storytelling and community engagement. Sahiti’s favorite part of her work is constantly learning from and growing alongside fellow youth organizers and social justice advocates to create intersectional change.
Raquel Merino – Brooklyn, NY
Raquel is a rising senior at Brooklyn College majoring in psychology. Her love for psychology derives from her passion for encouraging conversations surrounding the importance of mental health, particularly amongst the Latinx community. A second-year fellow a part of the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship, a highly selective three-year fellowship that develops the potential of remarkable students to become effective and humane leaders, she is interested in exploring and expanding her interest in the media industry, perhaps even one day using media to engage in real conversations about cultural impact on mental health. Raquel is excited to contribute to the AGI mission of widening access to health for vulnerable populations.
Renuka Surujnarain – New York City
Renuka is a Jeannette K. Watson fellow and senior at CUNY Queens College majoring in Neuroscience and Biology and minoring in Anthropology. Growing up in New York City, she became passionate about social issues of equity grounded in scientific research and communications. This ambition led her to a digital advocacy internship with the Jane Goodall Institute and also inspired her to volunteer for Peer Health Exchange. Through PHE, she provides health education and related resources for high schoolers in disadvantaged communities. She also participates in neuropsychology research on her campus and hopes to one day combat the world’s inequalities by advancing science and spirit as one.
Hamida Chumpa – Bronx, New York
Hamida is a Jeannette K. Watson fellow and junior at CUNY Macaulay Baruch College majoring in biology and sociology. As a South Asian growing up in the Bronx, Hamida has recognized the stark disparities that exist in access to healthcare for vulnerable communities, and the impact of these disparities on quality of life. Consequently, she became interested in exploring the causes of health inequities and the ways to best serve immigrant populations. At the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Hamida facilitated workshops with South Asian women on critical issues such as nutrition, mental health, and job skills. At LAAL, a nonprofit organization in the Bronx, has been working directly with families affected by COVID-19 and guiding them through relief efforts. Hamida hopes to continue engaging in cross-cultural discussions and use education as a tool to empower the community.
Hamida Chumpa – Bronx, New York
Hamida is a Jeannette K. Watson fellow and junior at CUNY Macaulay Baruch College majoring in biology and sociology. As a South Asian growing up in the Bronx, Hamida has recognized the stark disparities that exist in access to healthcare for vulnerable communities, and the impact of these disparities on quality of life. Consequently, she became interested in exploring the causes of health inequities and the ways to best serve immigrant populations. At the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Hamida facilitated workshops with South Asian women on critical issues such as nutrition, mental health, and job skills. At LAAL, a nonprofit organization in the Bronx, has been working directly with families affected by COVID-19 and guiding them through relief efforts. Hamida hopes to continue engaging in cross-cultural discussions and use education as a tool to empower the community.
Hannah Tetreault – New York
Hannah Tetreault is a sophomore at Macaulay Honors College at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, majoring in Cellular/Molecular Biology. She is working with the Aspen Institute as a first year as a Jeanette K. Watson fellow. She has loved science ever since she was a little girl, wanting to be a vet when she was younger as many animal lovers do. This quickly transformed into an avid interest in research, after realizing she could never put a dog down. She wants to pursue her PhD in neurogenetics and would love to develop treatments for genetic birth defects in the future.