Joanna is currently pursuing her medical degree at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where she is not only dedicated to her studies but also actively engages in research, contributing to 19 scientific publications that showcase her deep understanding of complex medical concepts.

Hey! My name is Beni'Eare Riley, and I'm a freshman at UCLA studying Computational and Systems Biology. At MEDDIP I'll be serving as the Director of Risk Assessment Tool Development, where with our research I'll help create a tool that takes in patient responses to let people know if they have any of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. My goal is to give people an easily accessible way to determine if they are at higher risk for diabetes or heart disease and hopefully educate them to take action to help prevent disease development.

Hello! I’m Monica Zhu, and I’m excited to be part of the MEDDIP project as the Director of Research. My responsibilities include researching risk factors and their effects and creating educational materials that are designed to be easily understood by the general public. 

What excites me most about MEDIP is its hands-on approach and long-term vision. The potential to expand this project to address various health conditions and reach a broader audience truly inspires me. I look forward to contributing to meaningful change in community health through this initiative.

Hi! My name is Lauryn. In MEDIP, I will be researching the genetics behind type 2 diabetes and how that correlates within bloodlines and next generations. As I start to research more, I will also learn alternative ways to treat diabetes without medication itself.

My name is Valerie Ann, but I go by Val, and I’m currently studying Psychology at Boston University. I have a strong interest in neuroscience, psychiatry, physiology, and mental health. I’ll be serving as the Principal Education Material Architect for Eric’s ongoing research on Type 2 Diabetes, and I’m excited to simplify complex medical concepts into accessible information for the general public. My goal is to help inform people about better lifestyle choices and how to mitigate the risks of such a common condition.

My name is Cameron Carlucci, I'm currently a freshman pre-med student at Virginia Commonwealth University. I have always found epidemiological research extremely interesting and thoroughly enjoy the study of determinants when assessing geographical data. My goal is to develop impactful research which informs public health policies while simultaneously improving community health literacy.

Bretton serves as a co-leader of MEDDIP, where he plays a pivotal role in guiding the organization’s research and development efforts. In this capacity, he oversees the dry lab component—ensuring rigorous data analysis, study design, and computational work—while also contributing to the creation of effective screening tools. His expertise in project coordination, coupled with his dedication to innovation, helps drive MEDDIP’s mission of detecting early chronic disease signatures and providing actionable next steps to at risk populations.

I was raised in a military family and spent the majority of my formative years in Maryland. I earned my undergraduate degree from Salisbury University, majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and German. My career direction was uncertain until a medical mission to Mexico, where I assisted in providing clinical services in remote villages, solidified my commitment to medicine. 

I then attended Medical School, completing clinical rotations in diverse settings including Miami, Baltimore, New York City, Chicago, and Pontiac, MI. I successfully completed my Family Medicine residency at Franklin Square Hospital Center in Baltimore, MD in 2015.

Following residency, I practiced in a predominantly geriatric, Medicare Advantage clinic in Florida. 

Subsequently, I transitioned to an independent medical review organization, gaining valuable insights into the insurance aspect of healthcare. By chance, I began volunteering at a draft horse rescue, which eventually led to my appointment as Director of Operations. In that role, I connected with a budding rescue organization dedicated to assisting feral horses in the Appalachian coal mines, contributing to their nonprofit startup efforts.

One of my core passions in medicine is enhancing health literacy and education. I am excited to collaborate with MedLeague on the development of MEDDIP—a free, universal risk assessment tool accompanied by accurate, unbiased educational materials for the general public. I firmly believe that this initiative has the potential to significantly improve public health and transform the medical community.