Our Youth Advisory Board is a group of young people (18-28) providing their perspectives to our work and advocating for male contraception.
Understanding and giving space to the opinions of today's youth is especially important for male contraception, as they are likely to be the users of the next-generation of male contraceptive methods. These talented and passionate young leaders are involved in advising our staff on our advocacy and research efforts, and act as advocates for the needs of the diverse group of male contraception's future users. Contact us if you’re interested in joining or engaging with our Youth Advisory Board!
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Michelle Kwan
Michelle Kwan is an undergraduate student at Duke University pursuing a B.S. in Biology with Minors in Computer Science and Global Health. She's interested in women's health and conducts research in breast cancer diagnosis with the Duke Global Women's Health Technologies Center. Moreover, Michelle is also focused on promoting education about safe sexual health, including information about STIs, contraception, and the mental health associated with it. Overall, she hopes that her work at the MCI helps empower others in their reproductive health and foster discussions about gender inequality.
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Connie Dean
Connie Dean is a Duke undergrad majoring in psychology from London England and is currently Captain of Duke’s varsity Swim team. Female reproductive health is entirely her main focus, and she plans on pursuing a career as an OBGYN back in England, and is currently a peer health advisor at Duke for sexual assault victims. Joining the MCI team has been nothing short of a dream, and she was overwhelmed by their passion in the realm of contraceptive equality and reproductive freedom for both genders. She’s so looking forward to what this team has to come, and is beyond excited to be a part of a movement that will transform the reproductive landscape as we know it.
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Tyrone Fields
Second Lieutenant Tyrone Fields is a force support officer in the United States Air Force. Born and raised in rural northeastern North Carolina, he is a graduate of the Public Health Education Department of North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Tyrone previously worked as a Halifax County Public Health Department health education intern. Additionally, Tyrone has worked with the NCCU Women’s Center as a prevention and education intern under the Department of Justice Office of Violence against Women’s grant awarded to the campus of NCCU. He is interested in men’s health, sexual assault and domestic violence, sexual health, and minority health disparities. Tyrone is an inaugural member of the North Carolina “Be Smart’ Family Planning Male Outreach Team.
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Jaylan Weaver
Jaylan Weaver is a recent graduate of the Public Health Education Department of North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Jaylan was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He served as an intern at MCI where he focused on the mental and social impacts of unintended pregnancy on men. He is interested in epidemiology and public administration as it relates to mental health. Jaylan is excited and grateful to contribute his knowledge and skills to MCI. He hopes to positively impact the reproductive health of future generations.
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Claudia Brewer, Board Chair
Claudia Brewer is pursuing a B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology with a Minor in Society and Genetics at UCLA. Her goal in college is to gain a deep understanding of human health, from the complex molecular mechanisms underlying disease to the broader social and political implications of the latest bioengineering technologies, and her background is rooted in biological research and healthcare. She hopes that through her activities with MCI, including educating herself more about the field of male contraceptive research, she is able to engage others in meaningful conversations about gender inequity in contraception.
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Meghana Reddy
Meghana Reddy is pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a Minor in Computer Science at Santa Clara University. She is the president and founder of the Women in Entrepreneurship Club at SCU, and is also the Director of Projects at Medical Herstory. She is interested in gender inequity in contraception, women’s reproductive health, safe sexual health, and undoing the stigma around a woman’s body. Meghana’s background is based in healthcare and life sciences, but she also hopes to understand how hospitals can effectively serve patients and how healthcare can become more affordable for all. Along with MCI, she hopes to motivate other women to be comfortable and empowered with their sexual health, and learn how to provide access to safe contraceptive methods for all individuals. Meghana is grateful to be a part of MCI, and is excited to witness the progress in the reproductive health field.
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Kathryn Carpenter
Kathryn Carpenter is a past MCI Fellow and founder of the Male Contraceptive Initiative Youth Advisory Board. She is an Advocacy Strategist and YAB liaison with MCI. She is a graduate of UNC’s Health Behavior MPH program. She is a former Fulbright grantee and has taught at universities in Mexico, Portugal, and at UNC. She is interested primarily in health communication and message framing, motivation and social norms, human-centered design, health literacy, advocacy, and self-empowerment. She has a special interest in sexual health, vaccination behavior, and trauma-informed interventions.
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The Youth Advisory Board's "Lemonade Stand" Webinar
“Considering the Future - The Impact & Implementation of Youth Advisory Boards in Male Contraception”
“Considering the Future - The Impact & Implementation of Youth Advisory Boards in Male Contraception”