Collections by Michelle Brown WSG PRIDE Study's Mahri Bahati

Originally from Louisville, KY, Mahri Bahati attend the University of Kentucky in nearby Lexington for college. She earned her Master of Public Health degree at the University of Kentucky in 2013, with a focus in Epidemiology. Lexington was close to home but far enough away, so she felt independent as she lived her life authentically in the LGBTQ community.

She has had a lifelong interest in volunteering and community organizing which carried over into her college and professional life. As an undergrad, she began volunteering with local HIV/AIDS non-profits which sparked a professional interest in public health. A creative and passionate public health professional she has extensive experience across the HIV/AIDS continuum of care. 

While working for the Kentucky Health Department word of her expertise and experience spread, she was tapped to join the Global Forum on MSM and HIV as Public Health Advisor developing and managing the global capacity-building project to build self-sustainability for trans-led organizations throughout the global south.

She began attending conferences and networking with other public health professionals. She always saw herself living and working in California. 

Mahri is now a member of the PRIDE STUDY’s team located at Stanford University. The PRIDE Study is the first large-scale, long-term national health study of people who identify as LGBTQ+, or another sexual or gender minority. 

As the All of Us Research Program Engagement Navigator, she works to engage 'yet to be reached’ sexual and gender minority sub-communities who are new to health research, who have experienced barriers in accessing healthcare, or who have had negative research experiences.