Janessa Mendoza, BS

Janessa Mendoza is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Tercyak Lab. She joined in June 2024 as a rising second-year medical student at Georgetown. Throughout her undergraduate career at Georgetown, Janessa's research focused on health literacy in English language learners and on mental health literacy, self-stigma of seeking psychological support, and well-being in college students. With a passion for community service, she has also participated in numerous opportunities, including Crisis Text Line, AmeriCorps, and medical missions in the Philippines. After graduating with a B.S. Human Science and a minor in Psychology, Janessa spent her gap year volunteering in medical clinics while working as a medical assistant at a dermatology office. Janessa is involved in the medical school’s Dermatology Interest Group, UV&Me, and Community Skinterventions which collaborate with various schools, physicians, and organizations to spread awareness of sun safety and the importance of skin cancer evaluations, especially to vulnerable communities. She is also a volunteer with Hoya Clinic and Georgetown Street Medicine Outreach, a mentor through Students Helping Aspiring Physicians Excel, and a member of the Council on Diversity Affairs in the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging.