Current Undergraduate Students

I am a second-year undergraduate student at UW-Madison, majoring in Computer Science with a certificate in Psychology. My academic interests focus on the intersections of machine learning, UI/UX design, and psychology, where I aim to bridge technology and human-centered design. With experience in UI/UX design and using machine learning to develop serious games, I want to bring a hands on approach to projects that address real-world challenges. 

Driven by personal experiences with healthcare neglect, I am passionate about enhancing healthcare inclusivity for Asians in the U.S. I hope to leverage machine learning and psychological insights in projects that promote visiblity and equity for Asians in the healthcare system, especially through the work at the Pain, Context, and Innovation Lab.

In my free time I like reading, exploring different cultures of foods with friends, swimming, and exploring different types of skincare. 

Samuel Fiifi Cann is a 4th-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, double-majoring in Psychology & Spanish. Interested in pain and sports psychology, he is deeply committed to addressing mental health disparities in BIPOC communities. Under the supervision of social psychologist Dr. Simone Belli, Samuel conducted research abroad at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain, which examined the cultural contexts of pain expression in Spanish-speaking communities.

Driven by his clinical training as a certified nursing assistant and his experience as a second-generation immigrant, Samuel seeks to improve healthcare experiences for English language learners and multicultural communities.

Samuel intends to pursue graduate studies in psychology, with the long-term goal of becoming a pediatric pain & international sports psychologist while being an advocate for equitable access to mental health care across cultural and linguistic boundaries.

I’m an international student from China and currently in my second year at UW-Madison majoring in Psychology. My academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of Counseling Psychology and UI/UX design, with a focus on integrating AI into the field of psychology to help individuals address challenges in daily life. Specifically, I am passionate about supporting Asian immigrants who face unique challenges in cultural adaptation and benefit from counselors who understand their cultural backgrounds. I am also deeply interested in understanding how children experience, process, and overcome adversity and trauma. Childhood trauma not only affects individuals but also has a lasting impact on communities and society as a whole. My career goal is to become a counselor who understands the distinctive challenges and concerns of underrepresented groups, providing them with the support they need to thrive in difficult circumstances. I am excited to contribute to Dr. Kim’s lab by researching the barriers Asian immigrants face in obtaining accurate assessments and treatments, as well as identifying effective interventions to address these disparities. 

I am Luxuan Chang, an international student from Beijing, China. I am currently a second-year student at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. My major is psychology, and my minor is data science. My future goal is to use the skills and techniques that I learned in school to help Chinese students pursue better mental well-being. 

Suri Zeta Kim is a second-year undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Life Sciences Communication with a certificate in Entrepreneurship. Her academic journey is driven by a commitment to internal medicine and an interest in the intersection of health and race. Having served as a dental assistant and student health technician in Chicago and Madison, respectively, Suri has witnessed firsthand the systemic barriers that prevent diverse populations from accessing equitable care. These clinical roles have shaped her as an advocate for culturally responsive communication, focusing on how the healthcare system can better serve patients who often feel alienated by language gaps or cultural misunderstandings.

While her current focus is clinical, Suri’s background in computer science remains a pillar of her research identity. She is fascinated by the potential of artificial intelligence to act as a bridge between clinicians and patients of various backgrounds. Instead of viewing technology through a purely diagnostic lens, she explores how AI can be integrated into healthcare systems to translate complex medical information into culturally relevant care. She aims to aid in developing tools that help marginalized communities have access to healthcare.

Kira Lee is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying Information Science with certificates in Data Science and Graphic Design. She enjoys using her creativity and designs to make technology more intuitive, accessible, and human-centered. Through her work, Kira explores how design can improve usability through reimagining systems, apps, and websites to better meet the needs of users.

On campus, Kira is involved in student organizations like UX Club, Design Interactive, and AIGA, where she meets other designers and discovers new ways to think about design. She loves learning new skills, making art, and trying new foods!

Cameron Young is a second-year undergraduate student at UW-Madison. He is majoring in Health Promotion and Health Equity, with certificates in Disability Rights and Services, Health Policy, and LGBTQ+ Studies. His interests include disability, healthcare, accessibility, and advocacy for marginalized groups. He joined the Pain, Context, and Innovation Lab after meeting Dr. Kim at a conference, hoping to work on removing barriers to quality healthcare access for marginalized groups. 

He brings to this lab his lived experience with chronic pain and chronic illness and navigating medical care. He is very passionate about disability and chronic illness and aims to use his experiences to shape current research. 

Cameron would like to continue being involved in the disability and chronic pain communities and ultimately help remove the stigma around discussing and treating chronic pain and disability. 

I am Mallika Laasya Ramachandruni, a 1st year student majoring in Computer Science and Economics. I'm interested in working with machine learning and data analytics to help develop platforms that make a bigger impact in the world. With previous experience in web development and analyzing datasets, I hope to support the lab by developing informative chronic pain websites and trackers to make the lives of these patients easier. 

In the future, I'm hoping to enter the software engineering or financial technology industry, utilizing my skills to improve financial accessibility to underprivileged women in the world. I hope to improve my current skills in the Pain Context Innovation Lab with a hands-on approach and eventually develop a platform to increase financial education and accessibility. 

My name is Nadya Flores, & I'm currently pursuing a double major in Data Science & Information Science with a UX Design pathway at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since a young age, I've noticed that being an empathetic person has shaped how I view things, and I believe it has made me really passionate about creating solutions that improve accessibility, usability, & overall user experience while making sure sustainability remains a top priority. With a background in web design and visual storytelling, I've found that the most rewarding projects are those where I'm able to combine data-driven decision-making with human-centered design. I am eager to apply my skills to future opportunities that challenge me to think critically, collaborate effectively, & design inclusively. 

Asuka Hashimoto is a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing a major in Cell and Molecular Biology and a certificate in Health and Humanities. She is interested in the factors, such as culture and personal beliefs, that have and still influence people’s healthcare decisions today. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine while also holding a well-rounded perspective on her patient’s physical and emotional well-being. Outside of her studies, Asuka is a member of the Japanese Student Association, and enjoys exploring restaurants in Madison.

Rita Dinh is a first-generation Vietnamese-American from Chicago, IL. She's a first-year undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Biology on a pre-medicine track and working towards certificates in Athlete Healthcare, Leadership, and Southeast Asian Studies. Rita hopes to become a doctor and is interested in specialties like sports medicine, psychiatry, and family medicine. Her goal is to help marginalized communities, like Asian minority groups, access reliable healthcare. Outside of her studies, Rita is a member of UW-Madison's Vietnamese Student Association and Vietnamese Traditional Dance. She enjoys swimming, crocheting, and exploring new food spots in Madison with her friends.