Deena Ayesh
Deena Ayesh is a dynamic global health and human rights researcher, currently working in dual roles as a community health researcher at MLK Community Healthcare in Los Angeles and as a program manager in global health initiatives. She is deeply committed to improving healthcare outcomes for marginalized and displaced populations, including the SWANA diaspora and refugee communities. Deena’s work combines on-the-ground community engagement—supporting diabetic women, conducting health interviews, monitoring vitals, and providing education—with high-level global health research, including collaborations with UNICEF Tanzania and studies on Middle Eastern health systems.
Deena’s academic journey reflects her dedication to cross-disciplinary learning and equity-focused research. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a specialization in Anthropology from UC Irvine and is completing a Master of Public Health in Global Health at NYU School of Global Public Health. She has participated in intensive fellowships and research programs, including the Global Health Crisis Fellowship in the Palestinian Territories, where she directed cross-disciplinary teams studying health carcerality, structural violence, and abolition medicine. Her research has been presented at international conferences, demonstrating a strong commitment to evidence-based solutions in global health justice and equity.
Beyond research, Deena is a passionate advocate and mentor, with extensive volunteer experience supporting refugees, community health, and end-of-life care. She has been recognized as one of Arab America’s 30 under 30, reflecting her leadership and impact in health equity and social justice. Whether through clinical research, global health program management, or advocacy for marginalized populations, Deena combines scientific rigor with cultural understanding, striving to reimagine healthcare systems to be more just, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of communities affected by conflict, displacement, and systemic inequities.
• Child Care Providers Mandated Reporter
• Certified Phlebotomy Technician
• Advarra eReg 1100: Regulatory Manager Curriculum
• Social/Behavioral Investigators - Human Subjects Research
• Good Clinical Practice
• Laboratory Safety Fundamentals
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
• NYU School of Global Public Health- M.P.H.
• UC Irvine- B.S.
• Commencement Speaker
• Foundation Scholarship Award
• Community Elevation Scholarship Award
• Intellectual Scholar Award
• Edison International Scholarship Award
• American Society for Bioethics and Humanities
• American Public Health Association
• Harbor Advantage, Los Angeles Harbor College
• Associated Students Organization, Los Angeles Harbor College
• Citizen’s Climate Lobby
• Circle K International
• Student Senate of California Community Colleges
• STEM Student Advisory Committee
• Pre-medical Society, Los Angeles Harbor College
• Alpha Gamma Sigma, Los Angeles Harbor College
• Global Refugee Organization Working Towards Health and Hope, UCI
• Campuswide Honors Collegium, UCI
• Project Initiatives for Chronic Health Outreach & Research at UCI
• Palestinian Children Relief Fund
• The Tiyya Foundation
• Providence Health & Services
• UC Irvine
• Southwest Asian & North African (SWANA) Health Alliance
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of persistence, curiosity, and the willingness to navigate my own path. Growing up low-income, I started at community college and had to figure out much of my educational journey on my own, which taught me resourcefulness and resilience. My background in biological sciences, combined with a minor in medical anthropology, helped me see health through both a scientific and social lens, which has been essential in my work in global and community health.
I’ve been fortunate to gain experience across many roles—community health researcher, program manager in global health, clinical research coordinator, and abolition medicine researcher—and each has taught me the importance of listening to people’s stories, prioritizing marginalized communities, and advocating for health equity. Balancing these roles has reinforced that curiosity, empathy, and hard work are just as important as technical expertise.
Ultimately, I think my success comes from embracing opportunities even when they felt uncertain, learning continuously, and committing to using my skills to serve others. I’ve learned that showing up consistently, connecting with communities, and advocating for justice in health systems can create meaningful impact, and that drives me every day.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. That advice really helped me with entering new doors without any direction and just taking that risk. Another one is, you know, those who don't ask don't get fed, and you miss every shot that you don't take. I really internalized these things when trying new things. It challenged me to put myself in new situations and figure out new skill sets that I might not have, and build new connections. A lot of the things that I have done were not things that I was expecting to do, but were only made possible by throwing myself into a new door that seemed scary, but was ultimately worth it.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I’d say to embrace risk and experimentation—don’t be afraid to take on roles that feel unfamiliar or intimidating, because they’re often the ones that teach you the most and open doors you never expected.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are addressing the health impacts of geopolitical conflicts and supporting vulnerable populations in crisis zones. At the same time, there are exciting opportunities to reimagine medical education as anti-racist and to use community-based research to create meaningful, real-world change.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most are human rights, community solidarity, and anti-racism, always centering people’s stories in my research and advocacy. Outside of work, I express my creativity through fashion styling and exploring art, often visiting museums and curating color-rich outfits.