Spectrum News: Ohio Voices comes to Cincinnati

The producers of Ohio Voices choose locations across the state and ask participants to tell stories that shine a light on their community by sharing their passions, motivations and goals to make our nation and the Buckeye state a better place to live.

Filmed in Nippert West Pavilion, the Cincinnati segments of Ohio Voices aired recently.

Subjects include:

Daniel Arendt, PharmD, is an assistant professor in the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy and co-chair of the pain stewardship committee for UC Health. In partnership with local nonprofit Caracole, Arendt has become an internationally known advocate for the use of harm reduction vending machines to distribute life-saving supplies like naloxone and fentanyl test strips to combat the opioid epidemic.

Delia Sosa, a second-year medical student in the College of Medicine, is part of the transgender medicine program operating at UC Health. Specialists at UC and UC Health are highly trained in treatments and procedures that address the varying needs of LGBTQ+ individuals — in addition to their overall health and wellness. Sosa was the recipient of the 2023 Transforming Care Emerging Leader Award presented by The Ohio State University College of Public Health. 

Jon Weller, PhD, director of international enrollment and strategic partnerships, oversees international student recruitment and admissions, manages the International admissions office, trains UC's official international representatives and assists undergraduate international students with the enrollment process at UC. He is an expert on trends in international enrollment at American universities.

Trenton Stern is a senior studying biomedical studies with plans to someday become a physician. A leader in UC student government, Stern is a first-generation college student who has served as a residential advisor and mentor for students who are often the first in their families to pursue higher education. He’s been active in the College of Arts & Sciences Tribunal.

Vu Pham is a senior studying chemical engineering and is dual enrolled in the MBA program at UC. Pham, a former student body vice president who is active in the College of Engineering Tribunal, is passionate about green chemistry, equitable education and mental health awareness. Pham, a UC international student, is a native of Vietnam.

Aaron Bradley, associate professor of innovation, design thinking and strategic foresight, is director of the NEXT Innovation Scholars (NIS) program at UC. He was recently recognized by Stanford University's Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) as a Faculty Innovation Fellow. 

Ashley Merianos, PhD, a UC associate professor in the School of Human Services and tobacco researcher, is looking at the effects of thirdhand smoke, which is the presence of toxic tobacco byproducts that remain on surfaces such as furniture, decor, walls and floors. She is a prolific researcher in the harms of first-, second- and thirdhand smoke.

Daniela Blanco Asapchi is a third-year student majoring in communications and marketing with a minor in fashion studies and an international student from Venezuela. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of U Scene, a student magazine designed to inspire stylish living among UC students, launched in 2021.

Max Kemats, a second-year student studying economics, is a NEXT Innovation Scholar active in UC student government. He has worked with fellow NIS students to complete a strategic foresight research project studying societal macro trends and their potential implications for the future, and the development of a design thinking workshop catering to high school students.

Featured top image of Dr. Ashley Merianos in Nippert West Pavilion. Photo provided.