Samantha Filby, is an Economics PhD candidate at University of Cape Town (South Africa) and is sponsored by a Fulbright Scholarship to visit the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education. She serves as a member of the research team at the Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products, based at her home university.
Mehrdad Mohammadi, MD, MPH, MA in Law and Diplomacy received his credentials in medicine, public health, law and development economics from Tehran University, Tufts University and Harvard University. He has been an adjunct professor at the School of Public Health at Tehran University teaching Justice and Public Health Law. Working with the WHO, Dr. Mohammadi has advised the Ministry of Health on International Health Regulations and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Dr. Mohammadi is a physician-scientist and an Early Career Investigator with over 12 years of experience in clinical vascular studies including pre-doctoral work with much of it focused on studying vascular effects of tobacco and marijuana exposure. She has clinical and research background in cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, and endothelial dysfunction. Dr. Mohammadi is leading the UCSF CANDIDE study, which investigates the effects of chronic cannabis use on vascular function.
Andre Luiz Oliveira da Silva, PhD received his doctorate from Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca in 2019 with a specialization in public health. Dr. Oliveira da Silva joined the CTCRE in June 2022. As the Tobacco Center's first Briger Fellow, he anticipates spending one year in the Tobacco Control Research Fellowship both gaining from our faculty's expertise and sharing his rich experiences in tobacco control research from his homeland of Brazil. Dr. Oliveira da Silva will be mentored by Stella Bialous, DrPH, FAAN, also from Brazil.
Dr. Leutwyler has extensive research and clinical experiences working with adults with serious mental illness, and her research focuses on identifying factors associated with poor physical health among adults with schizophrenia and conducting interventions to promote physical health among adults with serious mental illness. Currently, Dr.
Joshua Miller is a political scientist that focuses on the intersection of public health policy and vulnerable populations. Joshua received his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America in Politics.
J. Alton Croker III, PhD, received his doctorate in Health Services & Policy focusing on cannabis policy, health outcomes, and health disparities. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 2021, where he served as a research investigator for the Cannabis and End-of-Life Study, along with research associate roles within the RUPRI Center. He previously worked in public affairs at GLAD (GLBTQ Advocates & Defenders), an impact litigation firm focusing on social equity for LGBTQ persons, people living with HIV/AIDS, and their families.
