Our Team

As our lead policy researcher, Lee collaborates with health providers, advocates, and Ci3 researchers to achieve evidence-based policy reform. Her policy research covers topics such as access to contraception and abortion, health care reform, religious refusals in health care, and consent and confidentiality for young people.

Lee earned a JD from Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law, and a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

When she’s not advocating for equitable healthcare, you’ll find Lee spending time with her two young kids, often playing with trains or reading Mo Willems. She also enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time with family in Wisconsin.

In their role as Ci3’s Youth Engagement Lead, Ailea Stites works across the labs to ensure that our work centers the experiences of the young people we serve. They are the coordinator and facilitator for our Youth Advisory Council, a group of young people who meet regularly throughout the academic year and partner with us on our projects. Ailea is also the project manager for Hexacago Health Academy 2.0, an educational intervention that explores new methods of teaching STEM & health-related skills at the high school level.

Ailea earned their Bachelor’s degree in Comparative Literature from Princeton University, with a minor in Global Health and Health Policy.

Outside of the office, you can find Ailea tap dancing with the Making a Difference Dancing Rhythms Organization at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Bronzeville, where they love being part of a community and dance tradition that has historic roots in the neighborhood.

Amanda leads the development of a design portfolio that’s focused on creating adolescent-centered sexual and reproductive healthcare in Chicago. In her role, she also supports Ci3’s Kissa Kahani initiative and its design functions in India as a core team member.

As a designer, Amanda frames, scopes, and develops platform strategies for Ci3 initiatives such as Hello Greenlight and its products, services, tools, and intervention approaches. She employs the guiding principles of Scandinavian participatory design to co-create an adolescent-centered sexual health platform.

Amanda is currently pursuing a PhD in Philosophy and she earned an MDM in Design Methods, both from the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology. She also earned an MPH from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago.

In her spare time, Amanda enjoys wandering around Chicago with her dog Willa, and is an excellent cook. She is also a Brazilian Portuguese language learner and an avid Scrabble player.

Mason provides game design expertise and leadership for all of Ci3’s game projects including digital games like Bystander and other analog games from the Center’s suite of Health Academy (HHA) games.

As a game designer, he has developed several effective analog games for the Center’s multi-year HHA intervention, funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Mason earned a BA from Columbia College Chicago. A lifelong Chicago Bears fan, you can find him supporting Chicago’s football team every year—whether they’re good or not.

Erin is responsible for building awareness of the Center’s research, projects, and experts by driving media cultivation and outreach, external communication support, University relations, and community engagement.

She is committed to elevating the conversation on social and health inequities and is most proud of her work in bringing more awareness to issues that disproportionately affect communities of color from receiving the quality care they need.

Erin earned an MS in International Relations from New York University, and a BA in Political Science from St. John’s University.

Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending time along the lakefront with her son and partner, weather permitting.

Robin creates illustrations, graphics, and media that visually enhance the work of Ci3. They have led the Center’s branding style guide in addition to helping brand Ci3 games including Pipeline.

Robin earned an MFA from Columbia College Chicago.

Their favorite quote is by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson: “The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe it."

Vanya is the Research Coordinator at Ci3. She works across Ci3 by supporting research strategies which help in improving sexual and reproductive health among adolescents. Vanya is a Public Health graduate and practiced Dentistry in India for 2 years by promoting oral health and addressed health disparities through community outreach.

She is also passionate about improving community health by increasing access and advocating for health equity. Outside of work, you can find her either in a local coffee shop or at the gym.