As Associate Director of Programs, Megan is responsible for HGHI’s Programmatic agenda, oversees the Fellowship programs, and manages the Institute’s day-to-day operations. In this role, she brings together partners across disciplines, sectors and geographies to engage in critical conversations that identify gaps and articulate tangible solutions. Her team drives toward impact through fostering novel partnerships, producing groundbreaking research and disseminating educational content.

Prior to joining HGHI, Megan worked with the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma where she coordinated a portfolio of projects on global mental health. She has conducted research on the intersection of the built environment and mental health and explored how complex geopolitical environments impact access to health services. She holds a Master’s degree in epidemiology from the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health and BA in sociology from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.

Carissa Novak manages the Technology and Global Health portfolio at HGHI. Prior to joining HGHI, she worked at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment on an ecology and infectious disease research program, where she spent a significant amount of time collecting data in rural Madagascar.

She has also worked at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, managing a sexual assault research network; leading the first ever prospective study of sexual assault trauma in adult women. She has spent time living and working in rural Kenya and Uganda, studying barriers to reproductive healthcare, specifically in seeking treatment for HPV and Cervical Cancer. She received her Master of Science in Global Health from Duke University’s Global Health Institute, and her BA in International Relations from Auburn University.

Elie graduated from Cornell University in 2018 where he studied Philosophy and Global Health. He joined HGHI in 2018 as a research assistant where his focus is on the Climate Change & Health, Technology & Health, and Health Equity portfolios.

Elie is excited to continue pursuing his passion for global health through programing and research at HGHI. In his spare time, Elie enjoys Ultimate Frisbee, playing music, and making pizza.

Luke graduated from Saint Anselm College in May, 2019 where he studied sociology, economics, and public policy. Before joining HGHI, Luke was involved with several nonprofit and public service initiatives where he gained experience in program development, research, and entrepreneurship.

Between 2013 and 2017, Luke co-founded and managed the nonprofit Project PLAY NH which sought to increase youth access to organized sports in Manchester, NH. More recently, Luke served as the Director of Program for HOBY NH and was committed to several positions at the Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC). At SYSC, he researched, developed, and managed programs that aimed to lower the youth recidivism rate. Luke’s passion for global health is rooted in the time he spent performing research in Dolpo, Nepal.