SPARK STREET ANALYSTS
Spark Street engages with a select group of young professionals to provide hands-on experience in data analysis and policy development. Most have either recently finished or are currently enrolled in a post-graduate program, transitioning careers or re-entering the workforce.
Analysts perform a range of activities including secondary data analysis, policy analysis, literature reviews, interviews, survey design and administration, and synthesis of results. The team at Spark Street provides mentoring, career advice and facilitates connections to the broader public health community. If you are interested in working with us in this capacity, please contact Susanna Lehtimaki (slehtimaki@ssc.nyc).
ANALYST PROFILES
CURRENT ANALYSTS
KIMBERLEY PEEK, MSc
Kimberley Peek is a public health specialist with a background in infectious disease control. Before Spark Street Advisors, she worked five years with UNICEF Ukraine where she managed the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian, adolescent, maternal and child health, and nutrition programs. Her work focused on facilitating assessments and reviews, programs evaluations, biomedical research, and surveys and included policy development, advocacy, and partnership building. She holds an Master of Science in Control of Infectious Diseases from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Edinburgh. Kimberley is fluent in English, Spanish, and French.
NEENA JOSHI, MSc
Neena Joshi is a global health specialist with experience working at international organizations, think tanks, and universities. She has provided UHC2030, a global multi-stakeholder partnership hosted by the WHO, the World Bank, and OECD with research, writing, and management support, has supported data analysis and report writing for projects focused on medication for opioid use disorder clinics and overdose prevention, and was a core member of the Lancet COVID-19 Commission’s Secretariat. Neena holds a Master of Science in Global Health Sciences from the University of California, San Francisco, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Neena is based in Copenhagen, and she is fluent in English and Gujarati.
LAYTH HANBALI, MBBS, MSc
Layth Hanbali is an analyst at Spark Street focusing on health policy. He has worked as a public health practitioner, doctor, and researcher, and volunteered as a civil society organizer. He earned a Master’s degree in Health Policy, Planning and Financing from the London School of Economics and Political Science and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a medical degree and a bachelor’s degree in Global Health from University College London. Layth is based in Palestine and is bilingual in English and Arabic.
LYNDA GILBY, MHSc
Lynda Gilby is an analyst at Spark Street focusing on pandemic preparedness and response. She is a Doctoral Candidate in Global Health and Development at Tampere University in Finland, where she also gained her Master’s in Public and Global Health. Her research used mixed qualitative methods and applied policy analysis to understand the cross-border lobbying against the recognition of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), linked to the broader conservative movement which also opposes action on climate change and public health regulations and mandates. She also works on advocacy and policy in the areas of gender equality, SRHR, and menstrual health with global, volunteer-led organizations. She formerly trained as a Radiographer and worked for 8 years in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
PAST ANALYSTS
MADELYN B. GOODMAN,
MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Data Manager at the ICAP Harlem Prevention Center, September 2020 – Present
At Spark Street June – September 2020
Madelyn’s background is in research on women’s health and development. At Spark Street she supported systematic literature reviews as well as development of policy documents.
JINGYI SONG,
MA International Affairs, Economic and Political Development
Program Officer at The ELMA Philanthropies,
August 2020 – present
At Spark Street January – July 2020
Jingyi’s background is in health policy. At Spark Street she contributed to health policy research and analyses, including topics on global public health data and drug access.
SAMAN ROUHANI,
MSc Health Policy, Planning, and Finance
Senior Associate at The Pew Charitable Trusts,
February 2018 – Present
At Spark Street October 2016 – July 2017
Saman’s background is in health policy research with a focus on economics. At Spark Street he focused on monitoring and evaluation in several target countries and client social media.
ANNE LINN,
MPH International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Malaria Technical Advisor at USAID,
February 2019 – Present
At Spark Street 2016
Anne’s background is in global health, with particular expertise in household surveys, malaria, and community health. At Spark Street, she developed policy briefs on the integration of non-communicable disease prevention and treatment into infectious disease and maternal and child health programs for the WHO Global coordination mechanism on the prevention and control of NCDs.
JENNA BHIMANI,
MBBS, MPH
Researcher, Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital
September 2021– Present
At Spark Street March 2021 – August 2021
Jenna’s background is in clinical medicine and public health research, focusing on cancer control. At Spark Street she contributed to literature reviews and presentations on topics such as global health and
child health.
DANIELA-FILIPA SOLTAN,
MA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Leadership
Programme Associate, UN Women,
September 2023 – Present
At Spark Street July 2023 – September 2023
Daniela-Filipa's background is in social justice, inclusivity, gender, and anti-racism. At Spark Street she contributed to policy research and analysis in global public health.
JENNIFER FEARON,
MPH Sociomedical Sciences
Policy Advisor at the New Jersey Department of Health, October 2018 – Present
At Spark Street September 2017 – September 2018
Jennifer’s background is in supporting health policy development and action to advance health equity. At Spark Street she conducted literature and data syntheses, including on women’s health and health access topics.
SABA ROUHANI,
PhD Global Disease Epidemiology & Control
Research Faculty, Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
At Spark Street November 2016 – July 2017
Saba’s background is in disease epidemiology and the social determinants of health. At Spark Street she produced policy briefs, managed health communications, and engaged with stakeholders.
HANNAH COOPER,
MBChB, MPH
Public health physician at New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine. Formerly at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
At Spark Street 2016
Hannah’s background is in public health medicine, noncommunicable disease prevention and health protection. At Spark Street she contributed to literature reviews and policy evaluations on noncommunicable disease and prevention of road traffic accidents.
LEA GIDDINS,
MA Public Administration
Program and Policy Manager at Women Creating Change, January 2020 - Present
At Spark Street December 2016 – February 2017; May – December 2019
Lea’s background is in international affairs and urban policy. At Spark Street, she supported the development of literature reviews, articles, and reports.
JANA MARTIC,
MSc Public Health with specialization in global health
Health program research and evaluation advisor, Ministry of Health and Social services of Quebec, November 2021– Present
At Spark Street March 2019 – March 2022
Jana’s background is in knowledge transfer and supporting health program evaluation. At Spark Street she contributed to research, strategy development, and evaluation of global health organizations, as well as supported COVID-19 related analyses and systematic reviews.