Strengthening Humanitarian Medical Response in Crisis Settings

College/University Partners, Current Scholars, UWC High Schools, Education & Research, Health & Medicine, Social Impact, Interview/Profile

Eli_Lesher_JHU

A biophysics and critical diaspora studies double major, Eli Lesher (USA, UWC Thailand, Johns Hopkins University ’27) has immersed themself in humanitarian aid research at Johns Hopkins. 

Beyond coursework and involvement in the running team, gardening club, and Model UN, their work on crisis medical response defines their undergraduate experience.

As a Wilson Research Fellow, Eli conducts research on the medical humanitarian response in Gaza, documenting conditions through interviews with medical professionals and tracking barriers faced by foreign medical teams. Their research examines how these teams interact with local health systems in crisis settings and the impact on sustainability and resilience.

“My time at UWC made me a completely different person,” Eli reflects. “It reinforced the power of collaboration and community engagement in developing sustainable, effective solutions.”

That understanding drove them to spend a semester in Jordan, studying Arabic and interning with the Jordan Health Aid Society, which operates a clinic in the largest Syrian refugee camp in the country. At Hopkins, they serve on the board of Blue Jay’s Perch and recently completed training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care.

With support from the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, Eli will continue their humanitarian research before medical school, focusing on sustainable crisis medical aid delivery.

This profile is part of the “Undergraduates in Action” series from the 2026 Annual Report

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