2026 Fellows: Introducing the 2025-26 SCOPE fellows

Two University of Washington (UW) SCOPE Fellows have been named for 2025-26: Marin Strong and Meron Girma. Marin and Meron bring strong backgrounds in global health and community-engaged research, contributing expertise in maternal health, HIV, and health equity.

Marin Strong is a community health nurse who is currently a PhD candidate in the University of Washington School of Nursing, as well as an MPH student in Epidemiology. Her public health and clinical work has spanned Alaska, Texas, and Washington, where she focused on Indigenous Health, primary health care delivery, and the COVID-19 response. Marin also brings global perspectives and experience, having lived in Indonesia and conducted research in Nepal and Kenya. Additionally, she has experience in learning about globalization and health in India, Brazil, and South Africa.  

Marin is deeply passionate about advancing women’s sexual and reproductive health. Her dissertation research looks into how relationship dynamics between pregnant women and their male partners can influence HIV and STI prevalence in Western Kenya. She has also been researching men’s engagement in partner treatment there. Marin is honored to be joining SCOPE and is excited to contribute to its interdisciplinary work. She looks forward to working with faith leaders, research scientists, community partners, and medical professionals to ultimately improve maternal and newborn survival, address obstetric fistula, and support mental health initiatives.

Meron Girma is a first-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine with strong interests in health equity, community-engaged research, and global health. She received her Masters in Public Health from Yale University with a focus in Global Health and U.S. Health Justice. She completed her undergraduate degree in Medical Anthropology and Global Health at the University of Washington, with a concentration in African Studies.

Meron’s work focuses on addressing structural determinants of health and advancing fair, community-informed responses to inequities that affect Black and immigrant communities. She has experience in qualitative research and community-engaged projects in a variety of topics, such as HIV and social capital, malnutrition, firearm injury prevention, COVID-19, and mental health. Meron is excited to join SCOPE to collaborate with faith leaders and community partners and to work more on community-based responses to obstetric fistula and mental health.