Tackle Social Disparities. Enhance with Opportunities. Achieve your Dreams.
Our TEAm
All titles are internal volunteer roles and do not indicate legal or nonprofit status.
Nitya Kari
Co-President (she/her/hers)
Nitya ("nith-ya") Kari is an Advisory Services Analyst at Optum. She was also an National Institutes of Health (NIH) IRTA Fellow, working under the guidance of Earl Stadtman Investigator Dr. Bobby Cheon and Dr. Julia Bittner. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2024, receiving Highest Honors and a B.A. in Medicine, Health, and Society, with minors in Data Science and South Asian Language & Culture. Nitya has also worked in the Vanderbilt LGBT Policy Lab researching HIV criminalization, and the REAFFIRM Collaborative researching mental health in Asian youth. She is committed to increasing health equity by addressing health disparities in minority populations. She firmly believes that education is vital in tackling these issues. As such, she is dedicated to aiding students to achieve their academic dreams. In her free time, she likes to read, doodle, and create Spotify playlists.
Email: nityakari02@gmail.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nityakari
Co-President (she/her/hers)
SuetMui (“suit-moi”) Yu is a second-year medical student at Creighton University in Phoenix. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) in 2024 at the University of Arizona, where she studied Physiology & Medical Sciences and minored in East Asian Studies. Her undergraduate research investigated metal transport proteins and their biological roles in manganese metabolism and homeostasis. Growing up in a low-income Chinese immigrant household and being a first-generation student who received limited educational guidance from her family, she is passionate about supporting underserved individuals who may face financial, cultural, or social barriers to achieving their goals. In medicine, she aims to be a leading physician who mitigates health disparities and advocates for social justice in healthcare. At The TEA Proposal, she is committed to helping students like her who are highly motivated but have limited connections to resources. In her free time, she likes to listen to music, watch Asian dramas, and meditate.
Email: suetmui123@arizona.edu
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/suetmui-yu
SuetMui Yu
Priti Kari
Vice President (she/her/hers)
Priti Kari is a current sophomore at Emory University.
Email: priti.kari@emory.edu
Board Members
Vara Vungutur
Anvi Sharma
Secretary
she/her/hers
General Board Member
she/her/hers
Juan Lopez
Social Media Coordinator
he/him/his
Our Student Ambassadors!
The TEA Proposal has a team of dedicated students (high school students and college students!) who work with the eBoard to organize events and resources to the community we serve! Many of our ambassadors have gone on to be heavily involved in their communities and have won prestigious nominations and awards – including the Flinn Scholars Semi-Finalist Award and Finalist Award.
Emily Flores
(she/her/hers)
BASIS Tucson North
Serving since Spring 2025
Hongyu Long
(she/her/hers)
BASIS Tucson North
Serving since Fall 2025
Previous TEAm Members
Thank you to everyone who have contributed to the success of this organization!
Ben Gerber (Ambassador Class of 2024) - University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College (Flinn Scholar Semi-Finalist)
Jared Matheson (Ambassador Class of 2024) - University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College (Flinn Scholar, APME Cohort 4)
Naomi Capaldi (Ambassador Class of 2023) - Pomona College (Pomona College Scholar)
David Jurkowitz (General Board Member) - University of Arizona Honors College Alumnus
Natalie Mak (Founding Vice President) - University of Arizona Honors College Alumna
Diya Bhattacharya (Ambassador Class of 2025) - University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College (Flinn Scholar Semi-Finalist)
Previous Collaborators
Andrew Prouty - Medical Student @ University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
Kanita Olson - Incoming Medical Student @ University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
Sun Woo Kim - Medical Student @ University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
Gia Balsamo - Incoming Medical Student @ Barry University, School of Podiatric Medicine
Dr. Suchol Savagutrap - University of Arizona Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Dr. Kimberly Ogden - University of Arizona Department Chair of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Jacquie C. - Certified Nursing Assistant
Rafael Rivera - Certified Nursing Assistant
Gakenia Muigai - Z Mansion WORKship Volunteer
Kennedy Claud - Clinica Amistad Volunteer
Truc Le - Phlebotomist
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law - Student Bar Association (SBA)
Dr. Melville Wolgemuth - University of Arizona BatLab Principal Investigator
Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH) Youth Coalition