Anahita Kodali

Staff Writer, Dartmouth College

Writer Bio

I am in Dartmouth College’s Class of 2023, where I study Biology and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies; I am also on a pre-medical track! On campus, I am the president of the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science, a student director of Dartmouth Cancer Scholars, and a mentor in the student-run Pre-Health Corps. In my spare time, I enjoy rewatching the Twilight saga!

Research Interests

Bariatrics

With both a complex biological pathology and several external drivers, obesity presents one of America’s greatest public health challenges. In particular, I am interested in understanding the influence of both racial/ethnic identity and geographical location on obesity prevalence and pathophysiology.

Social Determinants of Medicine

Medicine is, at its core, a social institution. Various factors – including race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic background, and geographic location – affect accessibility of healthcare, quality of care, and composition of disease. I aim to center various social determinants of medicine in all of my research pursuits so that I gain a better understanding of the material impacts of medical research on peoples’ lives.

Oncology

Cancer is a leading cause of disease and mortality in the US. Like obesity, it is driven by several biological mechanisms and also is significantly influenced by other factors, including other diseases. One disease that increases risk and severity of cancer is obesity. I am interested in understanding the various intersections between cancer and obesity on both biological and socioeconomic levels.