Bio
Makeda Andargachew’s early interest in medicine evolved into a broader focus on population health, public policy, and the community conditions that influence well-being. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from Hunter College, with minors in Public Policy and English, she spent more than three years at a public health nonprofit on Staten Island, overseeing behavioral health prevention initiatives and gaining experience in project management and meeting facilitation. Through internships and professional experiences, Makeda developed an interest in urban planning and the ways the built environment can shape health outcomes. The connections between health, planning, and policy continue to inform her work and research interests. She is particularly interested in using data to understand patterns and disparities in how policies affect people’s lives while also considering the lived experiences behind the numbers. Her interests include sustainable, inclusive, and community-oriented approaches to neighborhood development.
