Learn More About Our Program

Ami Zota is the founder and director of Agents of Change initiative. Dr. Zota is an Associate Professor in the Environmental Health Sciences department at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Zota’s work seeks to secure environmental justice and improve health equity through advancements in science, policy, and clinical practice.

Brian Bienkowski is the editor of the Agents of Change program. Bienkowski holds a master’s degree in environmental journalism from Michigan State University and is the senior editor of Environmental Health News. He brings more than a decade of environmental reporting and editing experience. His work—focused on toxic exposures, climate change, and environmental justice—seeks to hold those in power accountable and address systemic injustice.

Dr. Veena Singla is a Senior Scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Healthy People, Thriving Communities Program. Her work seeks to address health disparities linked to harmful environmental exposures using an interdisciplinary approach incorporating environmental health, exposure science, public health and policy expertise.

Dr. Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Division of Environmental Health at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on addressing unequal exposures to harmful contaminants that affect structurally marginalized communities.

Dr. Max Aung is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Environmental Health at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Max’s research focuses on applying data science frameworks to understand potential mechanisms linking chemical mixtures to health across the life course.

Dr. Lariah Edwards is currently an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Her research focuses on understanding the health effects of and addressing exposure disparities to hormone-altering chemicals commonly found in consumer products.

Laila Gad is a senior at Hunter College, majoring in journalism with a minor in environmental science. She hopes to become a geriatrician focused on spreading climate literacy and reversing stereotypes experienced by older adults.

Samar Ahmad joined the Agents of Change program in 2020. She began her current position as Program Manager in 2022. She previously served as a Research Associate at The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.

María Paula Rubiano A. is a journalist, editor and translator based in Medellín, Colombia. She’s written about climate change, biodiversity, food sovereignty and environmental justice for publications like Grist, Science, El Espectador, Audubon, Atlas Obscura, and more.