Shalva Davidovich is a second-year law student at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree in legal studies from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio. Shalva's interest in special education sparked when she noticed the challenges faced by her younger brother, who is hearing impaired. After dedicating years to working in special education, Shalva developed a deeper passion for disability advocacy and pursued a legal education to address some of the barriers she encountered from a legal perspective. After graduating from law school, Shalva plans to work in special education advocacy in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas. During her time with Project HEAL, Shalva hopes to interact with clients in a meaningful way and research solutions for challenges faced by students with disabilities.
Negheen Guiv is a third-year student at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree in romance languages from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she also hosted workshops about literacy and education at Title 1 schools in Prince George’s County, Maryland. When she graduates in May 2024, Negheen plans to pursue a career in public service and continue exploring her interest in alternative dispute resolution.
Kylie Rogers is a third-year law student at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Prior to law school, she attended the University of Mississippi, where she earned her bachelor's degree in English with a minor in legal studies. Her younger brother, who has autism, inspired her passion and interest in advocating for the disability community. Kylie previously worked as a law clerk in the Special Education Division of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia and as a student attorney for the National Association of the Deaf. While working with Project HEAL, Kylie hopes to learn more about the client-based and legislative aspects of disability and special education advocacy. After graduating from law school, she plans to work in special education and family law in Rockville, Maryland.
Eunice Ok is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, studying public health science. Growing up in a household with a family member who has a disability, she developed a keen interest in understanding the impact disabilities have on both individuals and their families. Eunice aims to gain valuable learning experiences during her internship with MCDD, under the supervision of Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, director of training for the MCDD. She eagerly anticipates enhancing her capacity to review scientific evidence for its translation and application in advocating for individuals with disabilities. Upon completing her undergraduate degree, Eunice aspires to pursue a master’s degree in public health and biostatistics, aiming to advocate for underrepresented communities by analyzing and presenting data.
Diogo Fortes is a second-year doctoral student and a Wendy Klag Center (WKC) scholar in the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He earned a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at the University of Virginia and worked at the Yale Child Study Center for three years as a research assistant. As the younger sibling of an adult with autism spectrum disorder and high support needs, Diogo is particularly interested in studying and promoting the impact, coordination and sustainability of long-term services and supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through his work with the MCDD, Diogo aims to learn how to translate academic research into actionable advocacy efforts for self-advocates, families and policymakers. He aims to develop a deeper understanding of legislative priorities for state and local advocates for individuals with disabilities, thereby informing research topics that are more responsive to the needs of the community.
Linna Kuang is an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in public health science. Linna's interest in working with individuals with disabilities resulted from her past volunteer experiences. During her internship with the MCDD, she aims to gain valuable experience in translating scientific evidence into practice and advocating for individuals with disabilities, while enhancing her knowledge of public health. After finishing her undergraduate degree, Linna intends to enroll in medical school to continue her work and advocacy for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Máiréad Deacy is a graduate student and a Wendy Klag Center (WKC) scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Heath, where she is studying to get a master’s degree in public health. Máiréad’s interest in working with individuals with disabilities was sparked during her time working in a psychiatric hospital. There, she observed a noticeable gap in the quality of mental health services that accommodated individuals with autism. Furthermore, when she became her father’s caregiver after he acquired a disability, she gained insight into the inequities faced by individuals with disabilities, developing her interest in advocating for them and their caregivers and families. During her internship with the MCDD, she hopes to gain practical experience across disciplines and embrace opportunities to learn new skills for her public health career. She has many multidisciplinary interests, particularly in research, epidemiological approaches, behavioral health, improving health literacy, working between different sectors and patient family advocacy. After earning a master’s degree in public health, Máiréad eagerly anticipates being equipped for a career where she can devise innovative solutions to promote better health outcomes for all individuals.
