Olivia Francis is currently a Master of Public Health candidate in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at the Yale School of Public Health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Honors Psychology with a minor in Africana Studies and certificates in Global Health and Conceptual Foundations of Medicine on a Pre-PA/Pre-Med track from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. During her time at Pitt, Olivia actively engaged in campus organizations and research initiatives focused on mental health.

Recently, Olivia conducted global research with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Kisumu, Kenya, focusing on social aspects of maternal and infant mortality prevention. Prior to this, she worked at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Psychiatry Department, where she extensively researched the neurological application of ketamine in depression treatment. This experience prompted Olivia to explore the lack of African American/Black representation in depression treatment frameworks, such as the Cognitive Triad, culminating in her thesis titled “Mental Health Matters: The Cognitive Triad and Depression Amongst African Americans.”

Throughout her academic journey, Olivia undertook multiple internships, including positions at Boston Children’s Hospital, End of Petroleum, and the BioLife Health Center, where she co-authored a publication. Beyond research, Olivia served as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Pitt Freshman Programs’ BRIDGES program, supporting minority students in their first year. She also held roles as a Mental Health Liaison in both the Pre-Physician Assistant Association and the Multiracial Student Association. Additionally, she was actively involved in Reaching Inside Your Soul for Excellence (RISE), Changing Health Attitudes + Actions to Recreate Girls (Pitt CHAARG), and participated as a member and fashion model with the Pan Caribbean Alliance (PCA).

Olivia aspires to become a Physician Assistant specializing in Psychiatry and OB/GYN, with a focus on promoting inclusive access to mental health and reproductive services for minority communities, particularly African American/Black women.