Indira kneeling next to her dog and smiling with South Hall in the background

Position Title
Indira D'Souza
GDB Peer Advisor

she/her
150 Hutchison Hall
Bio

Hi! My name is Indira D’Souza and I am a fourth year GDB major with minors in Political Science and Human Rights Studies. I chose GDB because it aligns with my goal to work in public health in the future. In fact, I just finished applying to Masters of Public Health (MPH) programs! Within public health, I am very interested in health disparities as a result of societal and historical inequalities. Reproductive healthcare and intersections between health equity, policy, and social justice are areas that I would like to focus on in my career. I feel that Global Disease Biology gives students a strong science background and understanding of the disease process, while the restricted elective courses allow each student to find their “specialty” and learn what they are passionate about!

Outside of classes, I am involved with the University Honors Program and Regents Scholar Society. I am President of Students for Reproductive Freedom and work directly with Planned Parenthood and Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, organizations which promote health through political action and community education. In addition, I am the Chief of Staff at Joan Viteri Memorial Clinic, which provides unbiased healthcare, based on a harm reduction philosophy, to people who live outside or use drugs. For me, one of the most exciting parts of my college experience is being involved in organizations where I can do meaningful work and gain practical experience and connections!

Currently, I do developmental psychology research with the Social Environment & Stress Lab, and I am a research trainee at the UC Davis Perinatal Origins of Disparity (POD) Center. I have had the opportunity to publish papers and travel to research conferences, including the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) World Congress in Vancouver, Canada! Research opportunities abound at UC Davis, and I would love to share my experience with finding the right lab to fit my interests and my schedule. I am super excited to work with y’all and help you reach your goals within our amazing, interdisciplinary major!