Our Team

Dr. Jonathan A. Garlick, DDS, PhD

Director and Founder of The Civic Science Collective

Professor, Tufts University Schools of Dental Medicine, Medicine, Engineering and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Director of the Dialogue Center at The Civic Science Collective

As a lab-based scientist, clinician and community-engaged researcher and practitioner, Dr. Garlick founded and leads the Civic Science Collective. Dr. Garlick’s laboratory pioneers the use of stem cells to treat chronic diseases including scleroderma and complications of diabetes. Through his Dialogue Center, he creates humanizing conversations that build a culture of care and empathy. His passion to broaden participation in science connects research and education to practices that build a positive culture of collaboration between scientists and citizens. For fun, Dr. Garlick enjoys playing tennis, hanging out with his family, and rapping about science and the world.

Smiling woman with long dark hair seated on a white chair, wearing a black dress with colorful embroidery and a gold necklace.

Palak Khanna

Chief of Operations

Palak is a public relations specialist with experience in international science diplomacy leading the operations and co-facilitating dialogues at the Civic Science Collective. She graduated from Tufts University in 2018 with a focus in Public Health and from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 2020 with a Masters in International Leadership & Communication. She served as a diplomat for the U.S. Government for five years in Washington D.C., China, and Paraguay. Palak is passionate about cross-cultural science diplomacy. She joined the Civic Science Collective after seeing firsthand how the disconnect between scientists and citizens impacted global health diplomacy during the COVID-19 response. This experience inspired her to contribute to fostering more inclusive civic dialogues across cultures. In her free time, Palak enjoys meditating, traveling, and learning new languages.

Ayesha Lobo

Associate Director of Design & Communication

Ayesha is a PhD student in biomedical science at Yale University, studying cancer immunology and translational medicine. Ayesha graduated from Tufts University in 2024 with a BSc in Biology, and from Harvard Medical School in 2025 with a MSc in Media, Medicine and Health. As a senior at Tufts, Ayesha was part of the first cohort of Civic Biology Fellows, and worked closely with Tufts’ CTSI to help bridge access to mental health resources for Boston’s underrepresented communities. She joined the Civic Science Collective after completing her fellowship in Civic Biology, eager to increase the impact of civic science, and give a voice to those often excluded from scientific research. Ayesha is also a bio-artist who uses art to reveal the beauty and complexity of science while making it more accessible. You can view her artwork here. In her free time Ayesha draws, plays guitar, hikes, bikes, and loves to travel.

Ian Lau

Associate Director of Outreach

Ian graduated from Tufts University in May 2025 with a BSc in Biology and Biotechnology, bringing together extensive experience in clinical research, public health, and community engagement. He has worked across laboratory science, patient care, and nonprofit leadership, from studying neurodegenerative disease models in Tufts labs to supporting patients as a care assistant and pharmacy technician. After completing the Civic Biology Fellowship, Ian joined the Civic Science Collective to continue building inclusive connections between science and society. His passion lies in bridging science, healthcare, and equity—shaped by his work at Y2Y Harvard Square, where he led staff and volunteers to create dignified spaces for young adults experiencing homelessness. In his free time, he enjoys photography, running, and exploring new communities through travel.

Jerusalem Estifanos

Associate Director of Digital Experience

Jerusalem is a digital marketing specialist with four years of experience in the cybersecurity industry, spanning digital, field, and event marketing as well as B2B SaaS sales. During her senior year at Tufts, she took Dr. Jonathan Garlick’s Science and Civic Action course and subsequently worked with him as a Research Assistant at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy in the summer of 2021. Inspired by this experience, Jerusalem developed a personal interest in bridging science and civics and making these spaces more equitable, with a particular focus on food accessibility. She graduated from Tufts University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Outside of work, she volunteers with City Harvest, a food rescue organization in New York City, and enjoys reading, practicing hot yoga, shooting film photography, and experimenting with new baking recipes.

Our Partners:

Tufts Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI)

Tufts CTSI accelerates the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world health impact by connecting researchers, clinicians, and communities.

Collaboration for Research Equity, Sustainability, & Trust at Tufts CTSI (CREST)

CREST fosters partnerships between community organizations and academic researchers to advance health equity and translational research in underrepresented populations.

Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development (CSDD)

Tufts CSDD conducts independent, data-driven research that informs industry practices, regulatory policy, and academic understanding of the global biopharmaceutical pipeline.

Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK)

ATASK supports Asian and Asian-American survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence through culturally and linguistically responsive shelter, legal advocacy, outreach, and community education.

Genetic Alliance

Genetic Alliance is a national nonprofit network advancing health equity through patient-centered research, policy advocacy, and community leadership in genetics and rare conditions.

Center for Health, Environment, & Justice (CHEJ)

CHEJ is a grassroots-based organization that supports communities confronting environmental health hazards through advocacy training, scientific consultation, and organizing resources.

BlueBridge

BlueBridge is a Boston-based health equity organization that strengthens trust and partnership between communities and the clinical research ecosystem. They engage underrepresented populations, support community-led research design, and work to advance equitable participation in health innovation.

Personal Genetics Education Project (PGED)

PGED expands public engagement with genetics by offering accessible education and dialogue programs that explore the personal, ethical, and social dimensions of genomic technologies.

Women of Purpose International (WOPI) Boston

This nonprofit works to empower immigrant women and their families by providing mentorship, community support, and resources as they establish themselves in the U.S. and pursue full participation in society.

Museum of Science, Boston

The Museum of Science uses interactive exhibits, dynamic programming, and STEM education experiences to inspire lifelong curiosity and engagement with science and technology.

Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center

The HBTRC is a centralized human-brain-specimen repository at McLean Hospital that collects and distributes post-mortem brain tissues supporting global research into neurological, neuro-developmental and psychiatric disorders.

The Louisa Adelynn Johnson Fund for Complex Disease

The Louisa Adelynn Johnson Fund for Complex Disease supports the efforts of researchers studying the conditions from which Louisa suffered, including dysautonomia/Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), neuroimmune disease and other co-morbidities.