Ala Mokhtabad is a first generation rising senior at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Microbial Biology. She recently worked under Dr. Sabrina Hermosilla on the Sport Coach Plus (SC+) project, an innovative initiative that integrates physical activity and mental health support for Ukrainian refugees. Her responsibilities included writing case studies on refugee protective statuses in Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Moldova, organizing coach and trainer data for SC+, and conducting research on program fidelity and coaching satisfaction to inform future intervention design.
As a future physician, Ala is deeply interested in supporting underserved communities, particularly those affected by displacement, conflict, or natural disasters. Her research and clinical experiences are grounded in a desire to improve mental health outcomes and reduce the burden on both patients and healthcare providers. Beyond her academic and research pursuits, she is committed to bridging science, service, and advocacy to promote health equity on a global scale.