Korankye Ruth, BSc, is a graduate student in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Wyoming, focusing on community and public Health. She has a professional background in Physician Assistant studies, where she worked primarily in community settings in Ghana. Ruth currently works as a graduate research assistant, focusing on health disparities and mental health research. She is passionate about improving health outcomes through health education and promotion and is a member of the American Public Health Association.

Gloria Oladeji is a Ph.D. student in Human Development and Family Science with a specialization in Health, Well-being & Prevention at the University of Connecticut. She earned her M.S. in Kinesiology and Health (Community and Public Health concentration) from the University of Wyoming in 2025 and a B.Ed. in Health Education from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2021. Gloria has a diverse background in teaching, community health, and research. She has served as a graduate teaching assistant and research assistant in qualitative and mixed-methods studies focusing on mental health and food security. Her current research focuses on food and nutrition security, health equity, and community-based mental health recovery, particularly in underserved populations. Outside of academic research, Gloria is actively involved in development, advocacy, and social impact work relating to Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), and 5 (Gender Equality). Her work has been recognized through multiple awards and grants, including the AU-UNICEF Youth Innovation Challenge, EU Youth Empowerment Fund, Nigerian Volunteers Award, and the Junior Chamber International University of Ibadan award for selfless contribution to a worthy cause. She is a member of the American Public Health Association and the Inter-institutional Network for Food, Agriculture, and Sustainability

As the current Director of the Rural Health Institute of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Wyoming, Dr. Gilbert is able to bring together researchers from across the college and across the university, as well as bring together community and state partners to identify challenges and leverage a variety of resources and funding opportunities to develop solutions to improve health outcomes. Dr. Gilbert earned a BS in Biomedical Sciences from Marquette University. With a Ph.D. in Sociology and an MPH with a concentration in public health policy and management from the University of Florida, Dr. Gilbert brings interdisciplinary expertise to address differences in health outcomes and collaborates with stigmatized groups that have historically faced barriers to care. Dr. Lauren R. Gilbert specializes in health access and community-driven research, with a particular focus on rural communities with limited resources. Her work emphasizes supporting communities with fewer resources, prioritizing the perspectives of those directly affected to ensure that research is informed by real-world experiences. With extensive experience in community-based research, Dr. Gilbert employs a participatory research approach, emphasizing collaboration with local groups, communities, and those with lived experiences to align research with their needs and priorities. Her research spans outreach programs, evaluation strategies, medical sociology, and public health policy and management.