Our Team

Brooke joined the CARE Center in February 2019. Prior to transferring to UCLA she worked as the HR & Payroll Coordinator at the UCR School of Medicine for 4 years. Her main responsibilities include financial oversight and fund management of all CTU related studies. She enjoys all things plants, Pilates, and kdramas.

Stephanie joined the CARE Center team in October 2022. Prior to this, she earned her BA in Public Health-Global Health and MPH in Epidemiology at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she worked in global HIV research, focused primarily on PrEP in pregnancy studies based in Kenya. 
 

I started working at the UCLA CARE Center on 2018. assists the MSO, physicians and Fund Manager with everything including accounting, human resources, invoice processing, staff reimbursements, and purchasing.

Ryan joined the CARE Center team in July 2013. Prior to coming to UCLA, he worked at the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods at Case Western Reserve University on a variety of childhood obesity and hypertension studies. In his free time, Ryan enjoys collecting and propagating plants, reading mystery novels, cooking all things vegan, and snowboarding.

Justin joined the CARE Center team in October 2023. Prior to coming to UCLA, he worked as a Program/Project Coordinator at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His main responsibilities include administrative and financial support for the CARE Director, MSO, and administration office. In his free time, Justin enjoys attending live music events, playing board games, and learning how to DJ.

Tina joined the CARE Center in November 2025. Prior to transferring to the CARE Center, she worked as a Financial Services Analyst with the Leadership and Operations Center for the ACTG at UCLA for seven years. Her main responsibilities include reconciling monthly ledgers and compiling financial statements.

Quan joined the CARE Center team in August 2024. Prior to coming to UCLA, he worked as a research administrator at USC and CHLA. His main responsibilities include financial oversight and fund management for all industry-funded clinical trial studies. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, gardening, cooking, and baking.

Ste'von Afemata transferred to the CARE Center in 2003 after working at UCLA Medical Plaza Lab and Pathology since 2000. She is responsible for all research laboratory functions for CARE including processing, storage of samples, histology, cryopreservation (PBMCs/Pellets),

I joined the CARE Center team in 2001 as study coordinator assistant. Since then I have taken many different roles. I have experience working on numerous trials involving HIV treatment experienced and treatment naive, HIV Gene therapy, Oncology, and CURE agenda trials. During my working years at UCLA I have also taken a brief role with the UCLA VA DOM team before returning to the UCLA CARE Center as a study coordinator for DAIDS and pharmaceutical sponsored trials.

Aleen joined the CARE Center team in July 2017. She majored in Biological Sciences at UCI and received her medical degree at St. George's University School of Medicine in 2016. During her time at CARE she has worked as a clinical research coordinator for the ANCHOR study and various NIH-funded clinical trials under AIDS Clinical Trials Group Network (ACTG). In July 2019, she accepted the position of Clinical Trials Unit Manager.

I am originally from Michigan but left the cold to go to the USC Primary Care Physician Assistant Program where I graduated in 1988. I worked at CIGNA Healthplans in downtown LA, Pacific Oaks Medical Group, and spent 18 years at USC in hematology/bone marrow transplant and HIV medicine with an emphasis in HIV malignancies. I did a brief stint at United Health doing pre-authorizations for oncology/radiation/ and genetic testing.

Neaka has been working at the UCLA CARE Center since 2017. A University of Chicago graduate with a degree in biology, Neaka's background has varied from working in a genetics lab at UChicago to working with senior management at Gilead on an HCV-related project.

Olivia joined the UCLA CARE Center in 2025. She earned her BS in Biology from the UC Riverside, and her MS in Biotechnology from Azusa Pacific University, where she developed her interest in clinical research. She has previous experience in pharmaceutical-sponsored psychiatric and geriatric clinical studies but has always been passionate about epidemiology and pathogenic diseases. In her spare time, she enjoys bird watching and hopes to one day observe birds from every continent.

I started working at the UCLA CARE Center in June 2021. Prior to working at CARE, I worked with Pediatric Infectious Disease Research. I served as a research coordinator for COVID-19 natural history studies of healthcare workers and first responders. 

Christine began working for the CARE Center in October 2005 as one of the clinic medical assistants as well as phlebotomist. She received her medical assistant certificate in 2000; she also received her phlebotomy license in 2005.

Joined the CARE Clinic in March 2008. She received her medical assistant certification in 2000. Her past work experience includes working at Central Medical Group, where she worked as an Authorization Coordinator and a Medical Assistant in the Pediatric, Internal Medicine and OB-GYN departments.

I recently started working at UCLA CARE Center on September 2020. I graduated as a Medical Assistant on August 2007. My Previous experience was working at Central Neighborhood Health foundation as a Medical Assistant in the internal Medicine Department as well as a Referral Coordinator processing Authorizations.

Dontá Morrison is Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the UCLA CARE Center, where he advances inclusive health strategies, HIV research awareness, and culturally responsive outreach for LGBTQ+ and underserved communities. A writer, educator, and advocate, Dr. Morrison has spent more than 20 years fostering dialogue around sexual health, faith, identity, and equity.

Kevin started working at the UCLA CARE Center in November 2023. They graduated with a degree in sociology in 2019 from California State University, Long Beach. Previously, they worked on resource navigation, hosting resource fairs, and creating community events. They'll be continuing that work but focusing on the recruitment of eligible participants for further clinical research. In their spare time, Kevin takes care of his seven tarantulas and running a queer book/social club. 
 

Joined CARE Center in December 1997 from Dept. of Biomathematics as data coordinator. As a data manager, I mainly work on DAIDS sponsored research studies to ensure data timeliness and data quality. Being a big animal lover, I enjoy spending time with my dogs.

Jeannie joined the UCLA CARE Center in 2017 as the Medical Care Manager for the Medical Care Coordination (MCC) program. Her role is to ensure that patients’ medical needs are coordinated and accomplished. Jeannie is also the Program Manager for a new program at the UCLA CARE Clinic, Ambulatory Outpatient Medical (AOM).

Luke Cunningham has worked as a social work professional since the summer of 2019. He has experience in homeless services, severe mental illness, substance use disorders, case management, and HIV/AIDS care management. Luke is passionate about using his skills, compassion, and lived experience to empower those in disenfranchised groups.

Outside of work, Luke enjoys spending time with his family, including his dog, Leaper, and cat, Simba. He is a rugby enthusiast and a big fan of all sports.

Rosa Ramos received her BA in Human Services from CSU, Dominguez Hills and has been working with the HIV/AIDS community since 2016. She has extensive experience working in housing, unhoused populations, and benefits. Rosa began her career with the UCLA CARE Center in 2018 as the Medical Care Coordination Case Worker before transitioning to her role as Sr. Administrative Analyst for the Ryan White Program.

Irma joined the CARE Center in 1998 as Dr. Judith Currier's assistant. She currently oversees the regulatory aspect of the CARE Center's ongoing clinical trials and is the program coordinator for the CARE Center's annual HIV symposium.

Emy joined the CARE Center in July 2023. She has been actively involved in clinical research since 2015, occupying diverse roles such as a lab technician, clinical research coordinator, and regulatory affairs specialist at Cedars-Sinai and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Her current role entails monitoring and maintaining the regulatory components of CARE Center's clinical trials. During her free time, Emy loves hiking with her three shih-tzu's and watching football (Go Broncos!)