Meet the New Faces of GWHT!

dukegwht
Aug 1
5 min read

We would like to take a moment to introduce the newest members of the GWHT team, including three post-baccalaureate fellows, one postdoctoral fellow, and a first-year PhD student!

Each arrive to campus with a diverse set of skills and experience that will surely contribute to the innovative collaborate team at the Center for Global Women's Health Technologies. We are excited for them all to get started and we are honored that they have chosen to continue their academic and professional careers with us!

Please take a moment to learn more about GWHT's newest team members:

Ella Brissett - Post-baccalaureate Fellow

Where did you study or work before coming to Duke?

I recently graduated from Claremont McKenna College, where I majored in biology with a gender studies minor.

What is your research topic/area of interest?

My research interests center on women’s, maternal, and reproductive health, with a particular focus on health disparities and the role of social and environmental determinants in shaping outcomes.

While volunteering at a free women’s health clinic, I observed how structural barriers like cost, language access, and cultural stigma delayed care for many patients. That experience motivated me to better understand and address these inequities.

What are some hobbies or interests outside of your research?

I played collegiate tennis and still love getting on the court when I can. I also enjoy yoga and exploring new coffee shops.

What are you looking forward to in living in Durham/being part of the Duke campus community?

I’m excited to join Duke’s collaborative community! I’m also looking forward to exploring the beautiful campus, enjoying all the green space, and checking out the great local coffee shops I’ve heard about in Durham.

Jessica De Souza - Postdoctoral Associate

Where did you study or work before coming to Duke?

I just completed my PhD at UC San Diego, I was a graduate student researcher at the Digital Health Technologies Lab. My major is in electrical engineering, medical devices, and systems specialization.

What is your research topic/area of interest?

My research interest lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and maternal health. I build systems that support new mothers, including breastfeeding (disease assessment, focused on prevention of lesions), mental health, and childcare support (voice assistant technologies to offload mental tasks). I am interested in continuing to work in maternal health technologies, while expanding women's health AI-based smartphone applications, particularly focusing on the Global South, and increasing access to equitable healthcare for women.

Since my undergraduate studies in Brazil, I've always felt interested in health-related applications. It was during my PhD that I saw how little research is done in the maternal health domain. I was fortunate to find mentors and other collaborators at other institutions that shared that interest and assisted me in growing research in this domain within the U.S. and also in Brazil.

What are some hobbies or interests outside of your research?

I love dancing salsa and bachata, cooking Brazilian meals, taking my dog for fun walks, and trips to parks and to the beach. I also have a sewing machine and love making tote bags and bow-ties for my dog.

What are you looking forward to in living in Durham/being part of the Duke campus community?

I am excited for the people, the nature, and the collaborations that will take place at Duke! From everything I've seen related to Durham and the university, as well as the people I've spoken to, it feels incredibly welcoming, and I feel fortunate to have found a place that values women's health as much as I do. I have also heard that the barbecue is great.

Rebecca Farrar - Post-baccalaureate Fellow

Where did you study or work before coming to Duke?

I just graduated in May 2025 with a B.S. in Engineering Science from Smith College.

What is your research topic/area of interest?

I’m interested in biomedical engineering with applications in global health and reducing health disparities. I have a specific interest in women’s health and want to develop technology and solutions to reduce inequities and disparities globally.

What are some hobbies or interests outside of your research?

Outside of work, I love music and singing, as well as being outdoors: hiking, swimming, and biking!

What are you looking forward to in living in Durham/being part of the Duke campus community?

I’m looking forward to exploring Durham and the greater area surrounding it! I hope to take advantage of some of the nearby hiking trails and natural areas, as well as get to know the Duke community!

Lyin (Leen) Ghadri - Post-baccalaureate Fellow

Where did you study or work before coming to Duke?

I recently graduated in June 2025 from the University of Denver with a double major in Biochemistry and International Studies, and a double minor in Biological Sciences and Film, Media, and Journalism Studies.

What is your research topic/area of interest?

My senior thesis focused on maternal and child health in countries of war, becoming a starting point of my journey in this field. It inspired me to explore innovative and impactful technologies that can improve global women’s health. Additionally, I bring a strong biochemistry background and lab skills that I hope to apply working on GWHT projects.

Coming from Syria, a low-income country affected by war, I deeply understand what it means to be a woman in need of health services under such challenging conditions. That has always fueled my passion for global health, particularly global women’s health.

What are some hobbies or interests outside of your research?

Since moving to Denver for college, the outdoors quickly became one of my favorite pastimes. I love hiking, discovering new lakes, and tubing down new rivers. When I am not studying or doing research, I enjoy swimming, writing and journaling, reading, staying connected with friends and family both in Denver and Syria, and of course, making new friends!

What are you looking forward to in living in Durham/being part of the Duke campus community?

I am excited to meet passionate people from diverse, multidisciplinary backgrounds, and especially looking forward to connecting with more international students and fellows on campus. I can’t wait to make friends from different cultures, try new food, and spend time at the beach! I am also excited to contribute meaningfully to the lab, and to collaborate closely with the team!

Helena Hall-Thomsen - PhD Student

Where did you study or work before coming to Duke?

I graduated from Johns Hopkins University in May 2023 with a BS in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering with a minor in Entrepreneurship & Management. Since then, I’ve been working as a Life Science Strategy Consultant with focus areas in HIV and cellular therapies.

What is your research topic/area of interest?

I am most interested in understanding how to leverage biomedical engineering principles to improve cancer treatments in the women’s health space, particularly with medical devices, diagnostics, and targeted therapeutics.

Growing up queer and female, I’ve always been interested in improving quality of life for those within these identities whether politically, socially, or through medicine & engineering. I believe engineering, medicine, and global health—when working in conjunction with one another—can make significant impacts on others.

What are some hobbies or interests outside of your research?

Outside of research, I enjoy cuddling with my cat, knitting, cooking/baking, and drawing.

What are you looking forward to in living in Durham/being part of the Duke campus community?

At Duke, I’m looking forward to building a community of people I can learn from and grow with me. I also love being involved in local community work and will find or create an initiative where I can positively contribute. Also, I’ve been out of engineering research for a couple years and am very excited to resume lab work!