The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) Team

Rafaela Germano-Toledo
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
I joined the ECHO Team as a postdoctoral research fellow in January 2024. I graduated from medical school in Brazil in 2022, and since 2023, I have been working in the Department of Ob-Gyn at BIDMC. What excites me about ECHO are the broad possibilities to impact and enhance the health of children for generations. My life goal is to become an academic ObGyn and help democratize science, and ensure that healthcare access becomes a reality, especially for underserved populations. In my free time, I enjoy reading, baking, and spending time in nature.

Rafael Martin
Clinical Research Coordinator
I joined ECHO in 2024 as a Research Coordinator. I have received my M.D. From FCMCS-JF in Brazil in 2022 and worked as a postdoctoral Research Fellow at BI between 2023 and 2024. I have been involved with clinical research in Brazil since 2018 and hope to develop an academic career in the US. In my free time my hobbies are reading, playing the guitar and videogames.

Alexis Kim
Clinical Research Coordinator
I joined ECHO as a clinical research coordinator in December of 2023. I received my BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2020. While there, I performed neuroscience research investigating sensorimotor-gating. Afterwards, my intrigue in neuroscience took me to Columbia University, where I studied intergenerational epigenetic inheritance and ophthalmology under the "Bridge to the PhD" program. Although I love science and research, I decided to pursue medicine since it combined my innate interest in science and my drive to aid others. I’m in the process of applying to medical school and I aspire to become a physician one day. In my free time, I enjoy surfing and playing soccer with my husband.

Daniela Reyes
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
I joined ECHO in May 2024 as a postdoctoral research fellow. I received my medical degree in Mexico in 2022. Since graduating, I have been actively involved in research, completing several notable programs, including the ReachSci Mini PhD Programme offered by Cambridge University, and a Research Stay with the Noroccidental Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. My research endeavors continue to evolve, and I am currently preparing to apply for an obstetrics and gynecology residency in the United States. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and outdoor activities.

Annliz Macharia
Data Manager
I joined ECHO in 2023, as part of the team from BIDMC, where I work as a Research Data Coordinator. I received my MPH from Boston University School of Public Health and I’m passionate about improving the health outcomes of underserved populations. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and traveling.
The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute (HPHCI) Team

Allison Nolan
Project Manager
I joined HPHCI in January of 2024. Previously, I was a Clinical Research Coordinator at Tufts Medical Center, where I worked on multiple clinical trials within the Newborn Medicine Department, as well as an alternative ECHO cohort. I received a BS in Biology and Nutrition from Cornell University and my MPH from Boston University School of Public Health. At BU, my focus was on policy, as well as maternal & child health. Being part of ECHO allows me to continue my work in supporting families and working toward equitable access to healthcare. Outside of work, I love reading, traveling and hiking.

Sarah Cohan
Program Manager
I joined HPHCI in June of 2020. I was previously the Lab Manager for the Vision Sciences Lab in the Harvard Department of Psychology, collaborating on research exploring the spectrum of human face recognition abilities, and developing and validating online cognitive assessments. Following that I was a project and portfolio manager with the Football Players Health Study at Harvard Medical School. I received my Master’s Degree in Management (Organizational Behavior) from Harvard, and my BA in Theatrical Stage Management and Psychology from the University of Vermont. I am also a certified Project Management Professional. Outside of HPHCI, I am on the board of Company One Theatre, bake at www.TheSweeteryBoston.com, and love spending time with my family.

Melissa Sidote
Research Analyst
I joined HPHCI as a research analyst in June 2021. I received my MPH at the University of Miami, where I also worked as a Research Assistant. I contribute to all data management and analysis work for the ECHO team. I primarily oversee the portfolio of ECHO data work, focusing on streamlining internal data management and processing, creating new database systems and processes, performing programming tasks for data management and operations, training new data science team members, and contributing to individual data analysis projects. In my free time I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with my dog.

Susana Feldman
Research Assistant
I joined the ECHO team in the spring of 2024 as a Research Assistant. I received my BA from Amherst College, where I majored in sociology and psychology. At Amherst, I collaborated on multiple social impact research projects, including a police reform project. I also served on a diversity, equity, and inclusion board and taught at a local preschool. I am passionate about destigmatizing mental health and aspire to make lasting change in the mental health field.

Kathleen Lynch
Senior Project Coordinator
I joined HPHCI in June 2017. I received my BS in Public Health from Syracuse University. After college, I wanted to combine my passion for service and health care. I went on to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA, where I spent a year working in school-based health centers in Philadelphia. While working at HPHCI, I also completed my MPH at Boston University School of Public Health in May 2023. In my MPH program, my concentrations were in Health Communication & Promotion and Maternal & Child Health. In my spare time, I enjoy running, playing pickleball, painting, and decorating artistically in calligraphy.

Luke Bernier
Associate Research Analyst
I joined HPHCI in August 2022. Prior to this, I earned my BA in Psychology from the College of the Holy Cross. While there, I was able to start my research career by studying visual motion processing in animal species. In the future, I hope to continue my education in psychology. Outside of work, I enjoy playing sports, practicing guitar, and attending concerts.

Yoselin Rios-Saldivar
Research Assistant
I joined ECHO as a Research Assistant in June 2024. I received my BA in Psychology from Smith College in 2024. At Smith, I assisted in research exploring the intersections of society, psychology, and health, reflecting my strong interests in language and health equity. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new places, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends. In the future, I hope to continue my education in public health and medicine.

Nicole Strout
Senior Technical Manager of Data Science
I joined HPHCI in 2019 after receiving my BA from Princeton University and MPH from Columbia University. I oversee all aspects of research data for the ECHO portfolio of grants. I am responsible for the grants’ data infrastructure and design, operational and analytical data management, the provision of cleaned data for internal and external researchers, data reporting, and supporting individual project data analysis. I am passionate about equitable healthcare access and the distribution of care and resources particularly to vulnerable populations. In my personal life, I love backpacking, hiking, playing baseball, and I am an avid fan of New York sports teams (and the Green Bay Packers).