Ankita Patil is a public health researcher who passionately addresses health disparities through a social justice framework. With a BA in Social Psychology from The College of New Jersey, she has helped advance our understanding of the health impacts of incarceration. Her research at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, which centers on trauma-informed care and the systemic effects of carceral control on health, has been published in several journals including the American Journal of Public Health and Science Advances. At Johns Hopkins, she further engages in research that addresses the unique reproductive health challenges faced by incarcerated, pregnant individuals. She has presented her work at national meetings, such as the Society of General Internal Medicine Conference and Academic Consortium on Criminal Justice Health Conference, and has peer reviewed a book focused on COVID’s impact on Massachusetts’ prisons. Her scholarly work contributed to significant policy reforms, including the co-authorship of an American Public Health Association policy statement which advocates for the cessation of shackling incarcerated patients seeking medical care.Beyond academia, Ankita has engaged deeply with community initiatives, working with organizations such as the Transformational Prison Project to bolster restorative justice, the Community Health Literacy Project to provide individuals with accessible health information, and the Pandemic Response Network to help address the needs of communities most impacted by the pandemic. Her dedication to public health extended to frontline service as an Emergency Medical Technician during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she provided critical care in challenging and novel conditions.As a fervent advocate for health equity, Ankita’s career is characterized by a steadfast dedication to developing practical, empathetic solutions to increasingly complex public health challenges. This dedication will continue to evolve as she attends Stanford in the Fall of 2024 to pursue an MS in Community Health and Prevention Research, where she aims to further her impact on public health practices and policies.