Chiara Acquati

Chiara Acquati is an associate professor and associate dean for research and faculty development at the Graduate College of Social Work. She is committed to bringing new voices to the research process and to ensuring that GCSW scholars and their work have meaningful impact on practice and policy

Jody Gardner

Jody Gardner is a PhD student at the Graduate College of Social Work. As an emerging scholar she is passionate about creating intentional opportunities for social change. As a member of the HEAR Lab she is excited to be part of a project that is committed to connecting research to the communities we serve and the policies that shape the world we live in.

Katyayani Strohl

Katya’s research focuses on holistic health equity—specifically accountability in the use of government grants to outsource health and human service programs to Voluntary Health Organizations and Nonprofits. This passion is based on her career working within multiple government funding structures in nonprofits and community colleges.  She has seen both the positive and negative impact of these programs as a clinical case worker, program coordinator, and Americorps Member for a Boys & Girls Club, a student success specialist, and as an operational team member charged with expanding programs and increasing Diversity & Inclusion initiatives at a non-profit. Katya has her MSW from the University of Washington and an M.S. in Sports, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Illinois.  

Anil Arora

Anil Arora is from Denver, Colorado. As a first-generation Indian American, he has  personal experience with cultural differences, interracial relationship dynamics, and healthy boundaries. He believes his culture has created a strong foundation key to developing a sense of connection, compassion, and respect. As a PhD student in the HEAR Lab, he believes very individual should have access to research that is understandable.  And as doctoral student, he looks forward to having the opportunity to lead the way in public scholarship by challenging the research process to be anti-racist and accessible to community members.

Amplifiers are ambassadors committed to amplifying research through connecting it to policy, working on creative ways of dissemination, and building capacity of all scholars to conduct anti-racist research

Aly Kramer Jacobs

Aly Kramer Jacobs is a doctoral student at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work with research interests focusing on supporting survivors of gender-based violence and well-being among service providers. As an Amplifier, she looks forward to becoming more involved in the practice of disseminating research focused on creating social change in the Houston community.

Riya Bhatt

Riya Bhatt is a PhD student at the University of Houston and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work. Her years of experience working as a School Social Worker enriched her proficiency in child advocacy, managing trauma and addressing educational inequities for at-risk youth. Specifically, her aim is to improve the social/emotional health and academic outcomes for marginalized youth. She is passionate about social justice and looks forward to expanding her knowledge of social policies and building strong research skills.