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)

MIN ZHENG, B.S.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

(She/Her)

As an immigrant herself, Min is passionate about building connections within the Asian American and Asian Immigrant (AAAI) communities. In her role as a Research Associate at PHI, she focuses on addressing the mental health needs prevalent in these communities. Min earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Human Factors from USC East Bay in 2022. Through her work with the IWAY Team and the Public Health Institute, she has the opportunity to collaborate with field experts and community organizations. These collaborations continuously enhance her understanding of effective strategies to support and uplift the mental health of AAAI populations. Driven by a strong commitment to her community, Min aims to make a meaningful impact and hopes to contribute to a more healthy and resilient future for these communities.

CHRISTINE YANG

WELLNESS COUNSELOR

Christine Yang (she/they) is a queer, first-generation, Taiwanese immigrant who moved to the Bay Area at the age of 15. She’s a proud alum of City College of San Francisco and UC Santa Cruz, where she learned to think critically and open her mind. Yang is passionate about social justice, youth mental health, and community building. They have dedicated their time to working with low-income, immigrant youth and families of color since 2016. Working with young people has led them to pursuing and obtaining their MSW degree from UC Berkeley. Yang honors the value of authenticity, compassion, and creativity in their work and hopes to hold space for self-finding and healing through those values.

Outside of work, you can probably find Christine in front of a sewing machine, doodling, or doing other crafts by hand. On a more rare occasion, you can find her hiking in nature or baking something sweet. Christine goes by both Christine and Yang as a way of gender expression and fluidity.

JUNGHEE SOHN, B.S., CHES

HEALTH EDUCATOR

(She/Her)

Junghee is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, concentrated in Community Health Education. With over four years of experience in public health, Junghee has worked across nonprofit, academic, and shelter-based settings to promote health equity and access for underserved populations — including immigrants, refugees, unhoused individuals, and the uninsured.

Her background spans trauma-informed refugee support, culturally responsive outreach, and youth-centered education. Junghee brings hands-on experience from organizations such as the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI), SAGE Community Care Clinic, and Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Her work is grounded in compassion, cultural humility, and the belief that community-based education can transform lives.

Born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Junghee is a proud first-generation American and the eldest of four siblings. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, practicing yoga, and watching movies — activities that keep her grounded and inspired to continue serving her community with empathy and creativity.

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’m currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a specialization in Health Promotion to continue learning about health promotion and addressing health inequities among underserved population. 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 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

WENHUI HE

ADVOCACY INTERN

(she/her)

Hi everyone! I’m a first-generation immigrant from China and have lived in the Bay Area for almost two years. I’m currently a senior at San Leandro High School, planning to major in Neuroscience. After moving to the U.S., I discovered my passion for mental health advocacy. Beyond my goal of becoming a scientific researcher, I hope to use my voice to challenge mental health stigma—especially within Asian communities. 

I enjoy spending time at the beach and practicing meditation as part of my self-care routine. Meditation allows me to step away from outside expectations and stress, and to connect more deeply with myself.I’m also a big fan of K-pop, jazz, and R&B music! Having personally struggled with mental health challenges, I’ve come to understand how stigma and cultural silence can prevent many youth from seeking support. As an intern, I hope to collaborate with others to explore diverse approaches to wellness advocacy and to help amplify mental health awareness and resources within Asian American and immigrant communities. I feel honored and excited to join the IWAY2 program!

VÂN VY

ADVOCACY INTERN

(any pronouns)

Hi everyone! My name is Vân, and I’m a junior at Arroyo High School. As a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant who has lived in the Bay Area for most of my life, I feel grateful to have grown up in such a diverse environment. I intend to pursue a career in the medical field because I believe it’s important not only to address a patient’s physiological needs but also to understand how their ethnic and cultural background can impact their health. I care deeply about systemic barriers in underserved communities, having personally experienced these challenges and witnessed them affecting others, and I am especially passionate about advocacy within the Asian community, where I am deeply involved and connected to my identity.

I love being out and about. I love wandering through the city of San Francisco, drawn to her sunless, cold beaches and endless cafés, taking in every moment inside my digital. As an in advocacy intern for IWAY2, I dedicate my commitment in hopes to invoke social change not only in my community but for AAAI community across Alameda County. Carpe diem!

JENNIFER WANG

ADVOCACY INTERN

(she/her)

Hey guys! I’m Jennifer and I’m a current junior at Castro Valley High School. I came from immigrant Chinese parents and was born in China, but lived in the Bay Area all my life! I hope to pursue a career in either Public Health or Medicine. I am passionate about advocating for everyone’s mental health and the opporunities to healthcare. I want everyone to be proud of their ethnicity and identity!

I enjoy spending time outside, especially during the spring and fall time. I love to see nature and all of its glory! I believe a great way to reduce stress is to go outside and take a walk with your friends, family, dogs, etc! It definitely calms my nerves down and promotes a clear mind. In IWAY2, I hope to promote and spread awareness on wellness as well as collaborating with like-minded peers!