Otana Jakpor is a first-year medical student in the New Pathway program. She was born and raised in Riverside, California, where seeing the effects of air pollution in her community sparked a passion for environmental health research and advocacy. Though environmental health is still her focus, Otana’s interests have broadened to include many of the other numerous factors that impact health on a global scale. In spring of 2014, Otana graduated from the University of Southern California with a double major in Global Health and Biological Sciences. Though Boston is a little different from Los Angeles, she has greatly enjoyed exploring this new city now that she is at HMS. (She does, however, have her reservations about winter). In her spare time, Otana also enjoys singing and is part an a cappella group, the HMS/HSDM Heartbeats. She is also a member of the Crimson Care Collaborative, through which she volunteers at a pediatric clinic. Additionally, Otana is an active member of Harvard’s Christian Medical and Dental Association. Her other interests including reading books, traveling, and going to museums.

Otana is excited to be serving as the Public Relations Chair for Harvard SNMA this year. As PR Chair, Otana works with the rest of the executive board to increase awareness of and provide support for issues that affect URMs and underserved communities. She also manages Harvard SNMA’s online presence.