Saji, an Oakland native, has years of experience promoting equitable health outcomes and advocating for traditionally and systemically ignored populations. While studying health sciences at California State University, Eastbay Saji took an interest in immigrant and refugee health volunteering with the International Rescue Committee and Contra Costa County health services. Working with public agencies Saji witnessed the barriers justice-impacted individuals faced while trying to access social services and began engaging and advocating for the formerly incarcerated.

He would go on to support grassroot health promotion programs focused on neo-natal health and single fathers. After earning an MPH and working for Samuel Merritt University’s student health clinic Saji worked to promote clinical and mental health services and identify resources for minority learners pursuing advanced degrees. This work would lead to his first research publication which explored approaches to learning for medical students. Continuing on his path of service and health promotion, positions with Roots Community Health Center and the San Francisco Department of Public Health would deepen his understanding of community-based health and public engagement. He now brings a passion for collaboration and recognition of non-traditional research investigators to UCSF.