Contributors

Spencer Brooks and his team of mission-driven technology experts have provided Close Concerns with online technology consulting through his company, Brooks Digital, since 2011. After studying Computer Science at Boise State University, Spencer worked with the State of Idaho as a web development specialist and interim webmaster before venturing out to start his own digital agency for mission-driven organizations. In his free time, he moonlights as a professional drummer, recording on albums in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, as well as filling in on tour for the occasional band.

Michael Dougan is Gastroenterology Fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and a postdoctoral associate in Hidde Ploegh's lab at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. He received his MD and PhD from Harvard Medical School in 2011. Michael has had a longstanding interest in the interaction between the immune system and cancer. He conducted his dissertation research in Dr. Glenn Dranoff's lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he studied novel approaches to enhancing anti-tumor immunity. In addition to his research, Michael has been a teaching fellow for several graduate and undergraduate courses; his teaching was recognized in 2008 by Harvard's Levenson Award. Michael received his BA from Amherst College in 2002, where he majored in Chemistry and English, graduating summa cum laude (both majors) and Phi Beta Kappa. Michael has worked with Close Concerns part-time since 2006, primarily on Closer Look publications and also serving as an advisor to countless Close Concerns full-time associates.

Robert A. Gabbay, MD, PhD, FACP is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and the Joslin Diabetes Center. He is also the former Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). At the ADA, Dr. Gabbay led many transformational initiatives, including guiding the ADA to a deeper focus on primary care through the establishment of the Primary Care Council, comprised of leading primary care organizations in the US, and the ADA Primary Care Alliance of over 2000 primary care practices committed to transform diabetes care. Throughout his vibrant career, he has had many accomplishments as a basic science researcher, developer of patient communication tools, creator of the first broad-scale diabetes registry, designer of care management training programs, digital health innovations, and leader of one of the largest primary care transformation efforts in the US around the Patient Centered Medical Home. Along with an extensive peer-reviewed publication record, he has appeared in and is frequently quoted by the popular press, including the New York Times, CNN, the Washington Post, and NPR.

James S. Hirsch, a former reporter for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, is a best-selling author whose most recent book is "WILLIE MAYS: The Life, the Legend", the first biography of Mays written with his cooperation. Hirsch has also written "CHEATING DESTINY: Living With Diabetes", "HURRICANE: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter", "RIOT AND REMEMBRANCE: America's Worst Race Riot and Its Legacy," and "TWO SOULS INDIVISIBLE: The Friendship That Saved Two POWs in Vietnam." Jim has an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a graduate degree from the LBJ School of Public Policy at the University of Texas. He lives in the Boston area with his wife, Sheryl, and their children, Amanda and Garrett. Jim has worked as an editor and contributor to Close Concerns since 2004

Elaine Young joined Close Concerns as a Dartmouth Fellow in Fall 2020 and returned as a full-time Associate after graduating from Dartmouth College in June 2022 with degrees in Neuroscience and Hispanic Studies. She was promoted to Director of Strategy in June 2024. At Dartmouth, Elaine conducted obesity research investigating the effects of exercise on diet choice. She also spent a summer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles volunteering and learning about clinical trials in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes. Outside of school, Elaine played cello in the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra and taught cello and piano as president of Musical Empowerment, a national nonprofit club that provides students in school districts in New Hampshire and Vermont with free instruments and one-on-one music lessons. In her free time, Elaine enjoys snowboarding, skating on frozen ponds, and listening to film scores and songs from Broadway musicals.

Cassandra Jin joined Close Concerns as a Summer Associate in June 2024. She graduated from Amherst College with a degree in Mathematics and Statistics. On campus, she served as president of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra and Math Club. She was also involved on the E-boards of Asian Film Club, Healing Hearts with Harmony, and Asian Students Association. Outside of the classroom, she loves to play chamber music with friends, hike, and visit art museums. After graduation, she’s been working at the NIH.

Alexander Grosse joined Close Concerns as a Summer Associate in June 2024. Xander is a rising junior at Carleton College, where he is majoring in Biology with minors in Biochemistry and German. Outside the classroom, Xander is a two-year starter on the men’s varsity soccer team and volunteers at TOPsoccer, a community-based program for adults and children with physical and mental disabilities. Xander first became interested in medicine through his grandfather, a rheumatologist, and internist who practiced in the Bay Area for over 40 years. A history of type 2 diabetes also runs in Xander’s extended family, which gives him extra motivation to help make an impact at Close Concerns. In his spare time, Xander enjoys skiing, surfing, tennis, cooking, reading, and traveling.

Camille Fanvu joined Close Concerns as a Junior Summer Associate in June 2024. She is a rising junior at George Washington High School of San Francisco. She is the Section Leader of the GWHS Choir and secretary of the Social Justice Writing Club at her school. She is very musically involved and sings in the Young Women's Choral Projects of San Francisco, mentor for the younger kids of the choir. She enjoys all things music related, especially playing piano and singing, but also very much enjoys activities like reading and biking. Additionally, she loves her job on the weekends working at a cafe with her friends. She is very excited to join the Close Concerns team and looks forward to learning more about diabetes research and technology.

Charlotte Fanvu, a San Francisco native, joined Close Concerns as a Junior Associate in June of 2024. Charlotte is a rising ninth grader and will be attending George Washington High School in the fall. She is an aspiring baker, and enjoys singing, playing piano, and spending time with family and friends. Charlotte is very eager to work at Close Concerns and learn more about diabetes therapy and technology. She’s the second-youngest teen ever hired by any of our organizations – wow!

Stella Parker Reynaga joined Close Concerns as a Junior Summer Associate in June 2023. She is a rising senior at the Urban School of San Francisco, where she is co-captain of the varsity sailing team and holds a position on the Student Committee Executive Team as the incoming secretary. Following her younger sister’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis seven years ago, she became involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in a volunteer capacity as a youth ambassador, aiding in the successful execution of community engagement events and creative projects that benefit JDRF’s program. As an aspiring biologist, she has notable interests in molecular genetics, data science, human immunology, and host-microbe interactions. Stella hopes to one day contribute to diabetes technology and therapy research to improve long-term patient outcomes for people with the condition. During her free time, she is an avid crossword-solver and enjoys spending time outdoors, Latin dancing, and curling up with a good book.

Ari Kohn joined Close Concerns as a Junior Associate in February 2023. She is a John Harvard Scholar at Harvard College majoring in Social Studies (Politics, Philosophy and Economics). As a founding member and Director of Outreach and Partnerships for GenZ for Change, a non-profit leveraging the power of social media to mobilize civic participation, Ari honed her passion for exploring market-based solutions to address key policy challenges. Ari has further developed her interest in purpose-driven enterprise interning at Clarim Media, through a fellowship on sustainability and strategy at Sustainable Bitcoin Protocol and as an associate for the Harvard College Consulting Club. Ari volunteers for the Women's Initiative in Leadership through the Institute of Politics, and enjoys all things music-related, including singing opera, conducting and composing!