Meet the 2023 Children’s Environmental Health and Healthy Housing Summer Fellows

Welcome Ifunanya and Jade!

The National Center for Healthy Housing and the Children’s Environmental Health Network are pleased to announce the selections of Jade Chan and Ifunanya Ume-Ezeoke as the 2023 Children’s Environmental Health and Healthy Housing Summer Fellows.

Ifunanya Ume-Ezeoke

Ifunanya Ume-Ezeoke has worked in the field of global neurology research for the last four years, gaining biostatistics experience, operationalizing protocols and navigating complex regulatory networks spanning three countries and two continents. While working as a clinical research associate, she also worked as a part-time emergency housing case manager at a women’s shelter. These experiences have greatly influenced her long-term goal of becoming a physician-researcher and drive her research interests in examining the impact of socioeconomic factors and environmental health on brain function and development in children. By advancing scientific knowledge through research, Ifunanya aims to improve the care and health outcomes of Black children. Moreover, she is passionate about utilizing research findings to develop policies and guidelines that promote the well-being and optimal development of children. Ifunanya holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in cognitive science from the University of Virginia.

Jade Chan

Jade Chan is a recent San Francisco State University graduate, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in public health. She grew up in Vallejo, California, and witnessed many environmental injustices that affected low-income neighborhoods and families. In the past, she has worked with the California Department of Public Health in the childhood lead poisoning prevention branch and is currently a community outreach volunteer with the Alameda County Healthy Homes Department. These experiences have continued to motivate and inspire her to make a difference in marginalized communities by being an advocate for them in public service.