Leadership

Steering Committee

The steering committee works on expansion, improvement, and vision of the project. Tasks include grant-writing for future projects, evaluating current projects, spearheading new projects, and providing guidance to the Executive Board.

• Bina Valsangkar (Founder)
  
  Education: B.A., Spanish Language and Literature, University of Michigan; Doctor of Medicine-MD (in progress), University of Michigan; Masters of Public Health (in progress), Harvard School of Public Health
  
  Relevant Experience: Intern, International AIDS Society, Geneva, Switzerland; Volunteer, Global Vision International, Quito, Ecuador.
• Preetha Iyengar
  
  Education: B.S., Biochemistry, University of Michigan; Doctor of Medicine-MD (in progress), University of Michigan
  
  Relevant Experience: Counselor for children with developmental disabilities, 92nd St. YMCA, NY; MedBuddies, co-director 
• Darren Morris
  
  Education: A.B., Economics, Harvard College; Doctor of Medicine (in progress), University of Michigan; Masters of Business Administration (in progress), University of Michigan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Latin American development and health researcher, Harvard School of Public Health.
• Jenny Knoester
  
  Education: B.S., Cellular and Molecular Biology/Spanish Language and Literature, University of Michigan; Doctor of Medicine-MD (in progress), University of Michigan
  
  Relevant Experience: President, University Students Against Cancer
• Justin Zumsteg 
  
  Education: B.S., Astronomy, B.A, Physics, University of Florida; Doctor of Medicine (in progress), University of Michigan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Founder, A Night with the Stars
• Dave Serlin, M.D. (Faculty)
  
  Education: B.S., Classical Studies/Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan; Doctor of Medicine, Northwestern University; Family Medicine Residency, University of Michigan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Clinical Instructor, University of Michigan Department of Family Medicine; Attending physician in The Quito Project medical clinic, 2006/2007.
  
• Additional contributing steering committee members:
  Alex Kejner
  Julie Conley
  Peter Emiley
  Stephanie Cheng
  Kim Vanderzee
  Andrew Bradburn
  Marissa Hanna
  Jose Davila 
  Andrea Yancon
  Sean Kelly
  Vica Shakhin
  Adlin Cedeño
  Amanda Yu
  
• Contributing faculty:
  Howard Graef, DDS
  Lori Bennett, NP
  Richard Tolman, PhD    
• Our Ecuadorian Partners (La Fundacion San Martin)
  Adriana Oña
  Sandra Oña

Executive Board

Responsible for the planning and implementation of the multiple components of The Quito Project for given year.  The executive board is responsible for decision-making regarding the project of the current year. The project director leads all operations in Quito.

• Andrea Yancon, Project Director
  
  Education: B.A., Spanish Language and Literature/Health Sciences, Kalmazoo College; Doctor of Medicine—MD (in progress), University of Michigan; Masters of Public Health (MPH) (in progress), University of Michigan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Medical trainee, Childrens’ Hospital, Quito, Ecuador; Medical/Public Health researcher, Quito, Ecuador.
• Sean Kelly, Medical Clinic Director
  
  Education: B.S., Biology/Spanish Language and Literature, University of Michigan; Doctor of Medicine –MD (in progress), University of Michigan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Coordinator, Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse; Spanish interpreter, Chicago Community Health Center
• Julie Maslowsky, Director of Social Work and Public Health Programs
  
  Education: B.S., Human Development and Psychological Services, Northwestern University; Masters of Social Work (MSW), University of Michigan;  PhD, Developmental Psychology (in progress), University of Michigan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Quito Project volunteer, 2006; Quito Project Social Work Director, 2007.
• Martina Graef, Dental Clinic Director
  
  Education: B.A., English Literature, University of Michigan; Doctor of Dental Surgery—DDS (in progress), University of Michigan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Volunteer, Give Kids A Smile; Special Olympics Special Smiles;The Taft Volunteer Society Free Clinic Days
• Allison Smith, Education Director
  
  Education: B.A., Spanish Language and Literature (in progress), University of Michigan
  
  Relevant Experience: Tutor, The Quito Project; Volunteer, Community Action Network Hikone Community Center
  
• Gabriel Hernandez, Treasurer
  
  Education: B.S., Biochemistry, University of Maryland-College Park, Doctor of Medicine—MD (in progress), University of Michigan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Interpreter in Healthy Workers Program at the University of Michigan Health Center
• Sara Bowling, Co-Director of Fundraising
  
  Education: B.A., History, Stanford University; Doctor of Medicine—MD (in progress), University of Michigan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Vaccination Coordinator, Argentina; HIV/AIDS educator, Tanzania.
  
• Carly Guss, Co-Director of Fundraising
  
  Education: B.A., History, Yale University; Doctor of Medicine—MD (in progress), University of Michgan.
  
  Relevant Experience: Intern, Reproductive Health and Research Department, World Health Organization, Geneva

The Steering Committee and Executive Board work side-by-side to run The Quito Project.