Kekeli Ames

My name is Kekeli Marilyn Ames, and I am currently a senior at the University of Connecticut, majoring in Psychological Sciences on the pre-med track. I have a solid foundation in biology, psychology, and STEM. I contributed to Anthropology research in the Hartman Lab, specifically working on the isolated fraction rodent model. Currently, I serve as a Sociology research assistant in the Racial and Health Lab, where I explore the correlation between racism and substance abuse. Additionally, I am involved in psychological research in the Spirituality, Meaning, and Health Lab, with a focus on meaning-making, eco-distress, climate change perceptions, pro-environmental behaviors, and coping mechanisms. Previously, I interned at Mount Sinai Hospital in the Critical Care Unit, where I had the opportunity to shadow world-renowned physicians, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals. I also worked as a Student Athletic Trainer with UConn Football, providing first aid and rehabilitation for athletes. I hold a Behavior Therapist certification and have worked with children with autism. My areas of interest include health and wellness, particularly women’s health disparities, social justice policies, sports medicine, psychology, and sociology. I am currently contributing to the Health Professions, Health Care, and Social Inequality Lab where I take part in the recruitment of interview participants nationally, using an established database of social media groups/platforms that target the populations desired.