Munazza Ahmad, Research Study Assistant

Munazza is the Research Study Assistant for MASALA study at Center for Community Health at Northwestern University. After graduating from medical school in 2016, she practiced Family medicine and focused on the prevention of Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular diseases in pregnant women. Her several years of experience in medical research allowed her to develop practical strategies to improve patient compliance in a low-resource setting. She worked with the patients affected by COVID-19 before joining the MASALA team in 2023. She is now excited to focus on the prevention of cardiovascular disease burden on the South Asian population residing in Chicago.

Rency Roy, MBBS, Research Study Coordinator

Rency is a research study coordinator at Northwestern University. She earned her M.B.B.S. degree from Manipal, India. Rency is also a certified group fitness instructor and enjoys teaching exercise classes that encompass cardiorespiratory, strength, and resistance training. 

She is passionate about preventive medicine and engaging the South Asian community by promoting healthy lifestyle to improve the outcome of their health and well-being. Rency finds it fulfilling in helping the South Asian community and contributing to the work involved with the MASALA Study. 

Hema Naik, MPH, DLO, MBBS, Research Project Coordinator

I am a Research Project Coordinator at Northwestern University. I completed my Masters in Public Health from Benedictine University. My passion to work for Public health was driven from my past experience of working in medicine. It gives me immense satisfaction to work for the South Asian community as they are very often underrepresented in the field of research. In my free time, I like to read, listen to music and spend time with my family.

Saira Jahangir, Research Study Coordinator

Working in research for several years, I became aware of a research gap in the field of South Asians. So I became excited about the prospect of participating in the MASALA Study. I'm a critical thinker who wants to make a difference in healthcare, particularly for the South Asian community. In addition, I prefer to spend time with my family and friends in my spare time, and I enjoy painting, gardening, and cooking.