UAID Scholarship Recipients

Meet the recipients of the UAID Health Equity Scholarship—exceptional students and emerging leaders dedicated to advancing equity in health and community well-being! Their passion, innovation, and commitment reflect the core values of UAID and inspire the next generation of changemakers.

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  • Zachary Ostreicher is a biology student at Yeshiva University on the pre-medical track. He is passionate about medicine, health equity, and research, with experience in cardiology and community health outreach through organizations like UAID and Project Feed. Outside the classroom, he enjoys volunteering, mentoring students, and contributing to initiatives that improve patient care and access to health services. He also loves watching and playing sports. This scholarship is meaningful to him because it supports his path toward becoming a doctor and encourages him to continue learning, serving others, and recognizing that his hard work makes a difference.

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  • Kareem Elzokm is a junior at Vanderbilt University majoring in Neuroscience. His academic and research interests center on understanding the brain mechanisms behind psychosis and improving mental health outcomes. Outside the lab, he is involved in organizations such as UAID, where he works to promote health equity and strengthen community engagement. This scholarship is especially meaningful to him because it recognizes his commitment to advancing health equity and supports his continued impact through education and service.

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  • Hadil Alsaidi is a Human Biology major and Public Health minor at Hunter College on the pre-PA track. Her passion for health equity comes from seeing firsthand how access to care varies across communities. As a Kodely Leader, she encourages young students to explore STEM, and through the Heart-to-Heart program at Weill Cornell, she has strengthened her understanding of both community and clinical care. Along with her involvement in UAID and her own initiative, the Taste of Safety Club, she is committed to addressing environmental and health disparities through education, advocacy, and storytelling. To her, the UAID scholarship represents more than financial support; it is an investment in her voice, vision, and purpose as she works to advance health equity and create lasting change in the communities that need it most.

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  • Samantha Brabeck is a junior at Vanderbilt University, double majoring in Cognitive Studies and Medicine, Health, and Society with a minor in Human and Organizational Development. Sam's primary research interest lies in the intersection of maternal and mental health, specifically how social determinants of health and social support networks facilitate or hinder pregnant women from seeking mental health support. As president of Vanderbilt's UAID chapter this year, Sam is grateful for the opportunity to participate in UAID's scholarship program, as she is excited to lead local initiatives that analyze and combat health inequities in Nashville.

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  • Felix is a Vanderbilt sophomore majoring in Medicine Health and Society and Asian American Studies. He is passionate about using research to uncover the mechanisms that maintain health inequities and has presented at Harvard and Vanderbilt. Felix