Tracy Walters is a doctoral candidate in Human Development and Family Sciences. Her research focuses on sexuality development, including parental messages about sex and adolescents’ and young adults’ sexual attitudes and motivations, sexual behavior, and sex-related outcomes and experiences.

Winta Luel Mekonnen is a first generation 5th year student at the University of Connecticut majoring in Sociology with a minor in Africana Studies. She is passionate about working towards equity in healthcare and plans on working in the field of public health. She is currently the president of UConn Sisters Inspiring Sisters, an organization dedicated to providing a safe space for all the Black women and women of color on campus.”

Maria is an MFA candidate in Digital Media and Design at the University of Connecticut specializing in games for serious causes. Her role in Zuri is to create mini-games that are both educational and trauma-informed and fun to play. 

Jillian is a senior Allied Health Science major at the University of Connecticut with a concentration in Health Sciences and minors in Spanish and Molecular & Cell Biology. Jillian is a proud Mohegan Indian and she serves as the Chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribal Youth Council. She participates in the Native American Cultural Program, Native American and Indigenous Students Association, UConn Cultural and Educational Exchange, Big Buddies, Pre-Med Society, Medical Minds Matter Club, Allied Health Sciences Club and is a third-year veteran of the UConn Dance Team. She currently works as a Chiropractic Physical Therapy Assistant and is excited to be working on the Zuri App!

Madelyn is a recent Allied Health Science graduate from the University of Connecticut pursuing her second degree in Nursing at MGH Institute of Health Professions. Her research interests include maternal health education and maternal health equity in populations of color. In addition to helping grow the Zuri App she looks forward to working as a labor and delivery nurse after sitting for her NCLEX next summer.

Tumilara is a Nurse Scientist whose research interests include maternal, child and adolescent health. Specifically, she focuses on  breastfeeding and has been teaching and researching environmental factors influencing breastfeeding such as the lived experience of exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding benefits and challenges, knowledge, and practice and perceptions on exclusive breastfeeding for the last three years. 

Angel Ojide is a UConn Honors alum and Registered Nurse. Her passions are health equity and social justice, specifically in Maternal

Child & Global Health. Her advocacy work focuses on the implementation of culturally appropriate practices and interdisciplinary methods to supportive marginalized groups who seek health care. Angel’s mission is to reduce health disparities in Maternal Child & Global Health through patient education, advocacy, and health policy.