The Social Change Research Hub (SCRH), a Martinson Applied Project, is a collaborative initiative between the Frederick Honors College Office of Social Innovation and the Center on Race and Social Problems. It aims to offer undergraduate honors students the opportunity to engage in equity-centered research, education, and praxis by working with fellow students, faculty, and staff to investigate and develop interventions that promote social change.
Meet the SCRH Team:
- Ryan Shindler
Hello, my name is Ryan Shindler. I am a junior and a political science and psychology double major. I plan on attending law school following my undergraduate years and potentially working as a public defender in the future.
I started working on this project because I want to make a meaningful change in the world. Working with like-minded individuals on this project has been a fantastic part as well. I look forward to working with many people and learning many new skills on this project.
In addition to the SCRH, I love to swim and run. I also love listening to music and watching sports. My favorite pastime is trying new foods with friends, and I love to go on adventures.
- Garrett Whitney
Hello, my name is Garrett Whitney. I’m a junior from the seacoast of New Hampshire. I’m double majoring in politics/philosophy and economics, with the intention of pursuing a career in law. I’m interested in the fields of community development and international law.
I’m thrilled to be involved in the Social Change Research Hub team. This team is filled with brilliant students and faculty who are passionate about social innovation against systemic racism.
In my free time I love to read, hike, exercise, and cook. I’m a lifelong snowboarder and worked and lived at a ski resort for a winter. Outside of the research team, I’m on the executive board for the American Cancer Society at Pitt, a student-lead organization centered around supporting those who are involved in the battle against cancer.
- Vivian Greenwood
Hello! My name is Vivian Greenwood. I am a current third-year student majoring in public health with minors in public service and political science. I am also pursuing a human rights and social justice certificate. I’m originally from Waynesburg, a small town about an hour outside of Pittsburgh.
I am so excited about joining the SCRH team, as I believe the work we’re doing is truly cutting edge. Racism is a public health crisis, and public health is best improved via community work. In synthesizing a database full of resources that apply to such a vast array of communities, we’re taking some of the guess work out of community engagement. I can’t wait to see the impact this index can have on systemic racism in this country and beyond!
Aside from the Social Change Research Hub, I spend my free time on another project in the Office of Social Innovation, CivWiz, as a marketing and communications student assistant. I also currently intern with PennPIRG, a non-profit, non-partisan student advocacy group looking to make students' voices heard on issues such as climate change and textbook affordability. In addition to this, I enjoy volunteering, working out, and baking in my free time.
- Alexia Wagurak
Hello! My name is Alexia Wagurak, and I am a senior studying natural sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. I currently work both as a Resident Assistant (RA) and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and I am passionate about making healthcare more inclusive, supportive, and accessible to all communities. After graduation, I plan to pursue
a career in medical device sales and am also considering physician assistant school down the line.
I am grateful to be a part of a research team filled with trailblazers, where we focus on building a database that centers accessibility and support for the global diaspora. This work is close to my heart, as I believe in the power of collective knowledge and creating tools that are both practical and community driven.
Outside of school and work, I love to journal, practice yoga, and spend time with nature. I am from Beaver County, which is about 40 minutes from the city of Pittsburgh. I am always seeking out ways to connect with people and places around me.
- Vikraanth Sinha
Hello, my name is Vikraanth Sinha. I am a senior with a major in data science and minors in computer science and Music. My academic and research interests lie in the applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, particularly in how these technologies can be used to solve real-world problems.
I hope to bring these skills to help with this project, such as utilizing data-driven models to help uncover patterns, generate insights, and support informed decision-making that can address social challenges and promote equitable solutions.
Outside of academics, I am an avid watcher of the English Premier League and a die-hard Manchester City fan. I also enjoy exploring music, both as a listener and a musician.
- Aidan Provda
Hi, I'm Aidan Provda, a junior from New Jersey majoring in economics with a minor in business. I'm passionate about data driven decision making and social impact, and I hope to pursue a career that blends economic analysis with public or social innovation.
I'm excited to join the Social Change Research MAP because I see it as a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful, equity focused work. The chance to collaborate with such a passionate team and to work alongside partners like the UN is both humbling and energizing. I'm eager to grow as a researcher.
In my free time, i enjoy reading, playing chess, cooking, and running.
- Anuj Peri
Hi! My name is Anuj, and I’m a junior pursuing a double degree in molecular biology and sociology. I plan to attend medical school after graduation, and I’m especially interested in how biological processes and social factors work together to shape health outcomes across the lifespan. With research experience across multiple disciplines, I’m grateful to be joining this team and contributing to its efforts of strengthening racial equity and structural justice. Outside of my professional life, I frequently sing Indian and Western classical and contemporary genres with groups on campus!
- Malia Mack
Hello, my name is Malia Mack. I am a junior pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in sociology. After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I aspire to attend graduate school to pursue my Ph.D. in clinical psychology and my J.D. With these, I intend to conduct research that will not only reinforce my understanding of human behavior but also enable me to better serve my community.
Growing up in Philadelphia helped to shape my sense of empathy and responsibility. For these reasons, I am extremely excited to work with the Social Change Research Hub team, who share these same values! I hope that our research will promote communities that foster equity and weed out the pitfalls of systemic racism.
In addition to the SCRH, I work with the LRDC at the University of Pittsburgh in the KiT Lab, supporting lab studies on early childhood development as a lab assistant. I believe that meaningful impact happens at the intersection of compassion and structure. My goal is not only to study people, but to serve them. Through my journey, I wish to continue building community, challenging suspicion, and growing!
- Cameron Jones
My name is Cameron Jones, and I’m a first-year student pursuing a dual degree in public policy and computational social science, with plans to complete a Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil). I’m originally from Pittsburgh, and I’m deeply committed to dismantling systemic inequities and reimagining justice through data-driven, community-informed solutions.
In high school, I focused my research on the School-to-Prison pipeline, examining how punitive discipline policies fuel cycles of trauma, disengagement, and incarceration. That experience introduced me to restorative justice and inspired my commitment to addressing broader systems of inequality. I carry that foundation with me as I continue working to confront structural challenges in education, housing, healthcare, and criminal justice.
Through the Social Change MAP, I hope to deepen my understanding of racial equity and strengthen my ability to design informed, actionable policy. By contributing to the Racial Equality Awareness Database (READ), I aim to develop practical skills in data analytics and racial justice research that will inform long-term strategies for systemic change.
- Arshia Sista
Hi, my name is Arshia Sista, and I’m a third-year student majoring in neuroscience with minors in chemistry and sociology. I’m originally from Irvine, California, so Pittsburgh has definitely been a new adventure for me!
I joined the Social Change MAP because of the work I started during my Brackenridge Fellowship this past summer under Ron Idoko. My project explored how neuroscience can inform racial equity education, and I’m excited to continue building on that research this year. I see this work as an important step toward addressing racism as a public health crisis, and I’m passionate about using science to help create systemic change.
Outside of the Social Change MAP, I stay busy with research as a research assistant in the Laboratory of Neurocognitive Development and through tutoring with STEAM Saturdays.
Personally, I love baking and cooking, and I spend a lot of my free time with family and friends usually while watching rom-coms!
- Meghan Crichton
Hello! My name is Meghan Crichton, and I am a senior studying public service on the public administration track with a minor in law, criminal justice & society. I am passionate about the intersection of law, policy, and community development, and after graduation I plan to purse a dual J.D degree.
I am grateful to be a part of the Social Change Research Hub, where we work together on meaningful projects that explore equity and systemic change. This research resonates deeply with me, as I believe in using collective knowledge and innovation to create opportunities for stronger, more inclusive communities.
In my free time, I enjoy volunteering, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I've also been active on campus through the Black Legal Society and Pitt Civic Collective, where I've worked on connecting service, leadership, and social impact.
- Katya Surendran
Hello, my name is Katya Surendran. I’m a first-year student pursuing a dual degree in data science and economics, with a minor in Computer Science. Originally from South Dakota, I’m deeply passionate about the intersection of technology and its potential to drive meaningful, positive change in our communities and society at large.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the Social Change Research Hub Team. It’s inspiring to collaborate with like-minded individuals from diverse academic and personal backgrounds who share a common goal of addressing social injustices. This experience gives me hope for a future where collective insight and shared resources can be harnessed to create more equitable and inclusive systems.
Beyond the Social Change Team, I’m involved in several technology-focused student organizations on campus. I also work with local non-profits in both Pittsburgh and back home, helping to streamline their operations, whether by improving databases, enhancing websites, or implementing more efficient tech solutions. In my free time, I enjoy expanding my coding skills and experimenting with new tools and technologies, often working on small creative projects with friends.
- Tracy Wang
Hi guys! My name is Tracy Wang, a sophomore who is going to major in English Literature and economics. I have a deep interest in humanities, whether discussing geopolitics in Asia, the isolation of ethnic minorities, or the spatial history of the world—all are subjects of my research. I am equally committed to defending and safeguarding human rights, concerned with issues like human trafficking and children's education in impoverished regions. My own ethnic minority background allows me to empathize with marginalized groups.
I am delighted to join this research group, collaborating with like-minded individuals to examine the global manifestations of human rights and equality. I recognize that advancing social progress relies on collective effort. I eagerly anticipate all future collaborations.
Outside of school, I enjoy reading speculative fiction and watching anime. I immerse myself in the tense and thrilling plots of horror stories, exploring the motives and meanings behind the cases alongside the narratives.