Dr. Olihe Okoro is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Duluth. As a social and behavioral scientist, and community-engaged researcher, Olihe has years of experience working collaboratively with Black/African American communities and patient populations to investigate root causes of health disparities and implement community-based health interventions.  Olihe is committed to integrating structural and cultural competencies into pharmacy education and practice. She is also passionate about providing relevant mentoring and instrumental support for students of color who aspire to healthcare and allied professions. Through these efforts, Olihe’s work continues to contribute to enhancing health and healthcare for underserved populations, towards the goal of achieving health equity for all.

Dr. Kejal Kantarci is Katherine B. Andersen Endowed Professor in Women’s Health andProfessor of Radiology in the Division of Neuroradiology at Mayo Clinic Rochester. She is the Director of the Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Research Center and Associate Director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Dr. Kantarci also leads the Mayo Clinic Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health K12 Program. Her research focuses on neuroimaging, neuroscience, and clinical aspects of aging and dementia, particularly in women’s cognitive health and Lewy body dementias. She currently Chairs the Lewy Body Dementia Association’s Scientific Advisory Council. Dr. Kantarci received the Beeson award from the NIA/NIH and the de Leon Prize in Neuroimaging Senior Scientist Award from the Alzheimer’s Association. She became the Senior Fellow of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and received the Distinguished Investigator Award from the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research. She has authored over 400 publications.

Dr. Arshia Khan is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies of Computer Science at the University of Minnesota Duluth and the founder and director of the Dementia and Elderly Care Robotics and Sensing (DECRS) Lab. She leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of healthcare technology, robotics, AI, and aging, with a focus on developing and deploying sensor-based systems and humanoid robots to support aging adults and individuals living with dementia, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Her work emphasizes ethical AI, human-robot interaction, and community-centered innovation, with a strong commitment to translational research that enhances quality of life for vulnerable populations.

Her current work also explores the use of EEG (electroencephalogram), EDA (Electrodermal Activity) and other wearable and spatial sensor technologies to understand cognitive decline and emotional states in individuals with dementia, with particular attention to the unique experiences of women affected by the disease. Dr. Khan’s research aims to uncover sex- and gender-specific health disparities in dementia care and design responsive, data-informed tools that can improve diagnosis, monitoring, and support for women.

A frequent invited speaker on topics such as inclusive innovation, culturally sensitive AI, and women in technology, Dr. Khan has published extensively on healthcare innovation and the social implications of robotics. She plays a critical role in designing hands-on, project-based computing curricula that connect students with real-world challenges in healthcare and aging. She also leads efforts to diversify the STEM pipeline by mentoring women and historically marginalized students in computing, robotics, and healthcare innovation.

An accomplished physician, educator, researcher, global women’s health leader, Dr. Rahel Ghebre brings over 20 years expertise in gynecologic oncology, a distinguished record in international health systems development, and an enduring commitment to advancing cancer care for women. A professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a practicing gynecologic oncologist at M Health Fairview, Dr. Ghebre is recognized for her clinical expertise, global impact, and contributions to education and workforce capacity across diverse health systems. In her current role as Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Ghebre leads the Office of Faculty Affairs’ strategic efforts to cultivate and sustain a vibrant, inclusive, and high-performing faculty community.