TOORU NEMOTO, PHD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

(He/Him)

Dr. Tooru Nemoto is Research Program Director at the Public Health Institute (PHI). Before joining PHI, Dr. Nemoto was Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco (UCSF). He has been mainly engaging in substance abuse and HIV prevention studies and service projects for under-served and stigmatized populations, such as transgender and gender non-binary people, men who have sex with men (MSM), and sex workers in the U.S. and Asian countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia. He has been awarded a number of grants and service contracts from NIH, SAMHSA, CDC, HRSA, and private foundations. As Project Director, he recently completed a 5-year SAMHSA funded project providing trauma-informed care and prevention services targeting Asian youths in Alameda County. He co-authored a number of research papers in the field of substance abuse and HIV prevention and health promotion for under-served sexual, gender, and racial minority groups in peer-reviewed journals.

MARIKO IWAMOTO, M.A.

PROJECT DIRECTOR

(She/Her)

I have a Master’s degree in social psychology and oversee multiple community-based HIV and substance abuse intervention projects targeting ethnic and gender minorities in the US and Asian counties. My background also includes vital social services experiences in the Asian community. I have been volunteering at the local shelter for many years, advocating for Asian victims of domestic violence. My involvement with various communities and projects targeting underserved populations has allowed me to develop a strong understanding of community needs. Working for the Asian and underserved communities to promote their health and well-being has been my passion.

PYSAY PHINITH, LCSW

PROJECT COORDINATOR

(She/Her)

JEEHEE MOON, AMST & ATR-P

WELLNESS COUNSELOR

(She/Her)

Jeehee is an Art Therapy Ph.D. student at Dominican Univerisy of California, a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #131623), a Registered Art Therapist (ATR #22-161), and an EMDR trained clinician. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Visual Design and Gerontology, a master’s degree in Art Psychotherapy from Seoul Women’s University in Korea, and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Dominican University of California in the U.S.

As an international student herself, she understands the challenges of living in an unfamiliar culture and the difficulties of having a language barrier. Jeehee values working as a team with her clients. The therapist-client relationship comes before the theoretical approach for her. To build the relationship, she treats her clients with empathy, genuineness, respect, and non-judgmental regard.

ELLEN CHANG, B.A.

HEALTH EDUCATOR

(She/They)

Ellen is a second generation Taiwanese American who values connection, creativity, and community. As a Health Educator for IWAY, she strives to utilize her skills in community-based outreach, health education, program implementation and facilitation to empower underserved minority communities with the tools and knowledge to take agency over their own holistic health and address specific issues prevalent in their communities. Ellen obtained a Bachelor’s of Arts in Cognitive Science and a minor in Global Public Health at UC Berkeley in 2020 and is currently pursuing a MSW/MPH degree at UC Berkeley to strengthen her ability to better support the AAPI community in reducing mental health disparities, increasing culturally competent mental health programs, and working towards the long-term healing and empowerment of these communities. As a Project Assistant for the Lotus Project, Ellen helps build and maintain the project network, develop and disseminate the project website, materials, and workshops, and support project advocacy interns. On their free time, Ellen enjoys spending time with loved ones and on her creative hobbies — dance, art, music, photography.

LIEN DAO, B.S.

HEALTH EDUCATOR

(She/Her)

Lien is the first generation immigrant student who embraces her Asian and Vietnamese culture. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Public Health and a minor in Biology at San Jose State University in 2023. During her college career, Lien got many opportunities to learn about mental health literacy and lend a helping hand to those in need by joining the Mental Health Advocate program, and Mental Health Equity Scholar program. She realized the importance of reducing the stigma of mental health in the Asian community after witnessing so many students suffer silently. As a Health Educator at IWAY2, Lien hopes to contribute to reducing the stigma, raise awareness about mental health in the Asian community, and create a safe space for young people to share their thoughts. On her hobbies, Lien enjoys watching K-drama, Youtube, going for a walk, and connecting with her friends. 

SALLY LUU, B.S.

HEALTH EDUCATOR

(She/Her)

Hi everyone! I am a second generation Vietnamese American born and raised in the Bay Area. I received my bachelors degree in Biological Sciences emphasis in Molecular and Cell and Public Health minor at University of California, Merced. I love to go on foodie adventures and exploring new places. I also love almost any spicy foods, boba, binge watching shows, and listening to K-pop, teen pop, and RNB. I have a passion for advocating for well-being and health equity to communities. I also have a passion to change the mental health stigma around mental health in Asian communities.

I have come to realize that not everyone has supportive role models in their lives so I have determined to reach out and help those who are in their own bubbles. As your Health Educator, I hope to create a safe environment for others to be vulnerable and share mental health stories. As well as that, continue to break down the barrier of mental health stigma. I am fortunate to be your health educator will do my absolute best to help you all with your journey in IWAY2! :D

EVERLYNN LE

ADVOCACY INTERN

(She/Her)

Everlynn is a senior attending Oakland High School and has an interest in pursuing the pre-medical track to become a family physician. Before becoming an Advocacy Intern, she co-directed a film to raise awareness of anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic for Voicing Our Stories (VOS) as part of the IWAY Project. She became interested in working for IWAY2 as a means of promoting mental health literacy and education in the Asian American community. Growing up as a first-generation Vietnamese-American, she was exposed to a multifaceted perspective of mental health and has seen how the stigma has hindered those in her community from seeking mental health support. As an Advocacy Intern, she hopes to find ways to use her knowledge and lived experiences with mental health to uplift and empower youth from the Asian American community and other underserved groups.  

ANKITA GUPTA

ADVOCACY INTERN

(She/Her)

Hi! My name is Ankita Gupta and I am a rising junior. I have been part of IWAY for the past two years and I am thrilled to be an intern for the new IWAY 2 project! A little bit about me: I enjoy hiking, going to concerts, listening to music, and I absolutely lovee reading. I joined IWAY originally as a way to meet youth who were interested in advocating and making a difference in the AAPI community. Now, I am interested in leading and advocating through IWAY 2 and getting meet new youth interested in AAPI advocacy! 

THERESA HUANG

ADVOCACY INTERN

(She/Her)

Hi! My name is Theresa, I’m a senior at San Leandro High, and my pronouns are she/her. Prior to joining the IWAY2 Project, I worked extensively with other AAPI youth to create community and express ourselves through art. In doing so, and while growing up as a Chinese-American, I’ve seen how the stigma around mental health can deter people from asking for help—especially when facing cultural and language barriers. I hope to break down the stigma surrounding mental health to remedy part of this issue, as well as provide resources to those who need them. I’m thrilled to be working with IWAY2 to make progress towards that goal, and I hope to create a safe space for everyone!