MEET THE TEAM
The Kan Collaboratory consists of our principal investigator, research staff, and studentsPrincipal Investigator: Kristin Kan, MD, MPH, MSc
Dr. Kristin Kan (she/her) is a health services researcher in the Smith Child Health Outcomes, Research, and Evaluation Center through Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute and an assistant professor within the department of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
In addition to serving as an attending in the division of advanced general pediatrics and primary care (AGP), she is the fellowship director for the Pediatric Health Services and Population Health Research Program. She precepts residents in continuity clinic and serves patients at Lurie Children’s Uptown Clinic.
Research Staff
Olivia Orr, MSc
(She/her)
Behavioral Research Assistant
Olivia joined the Kan Collaboratory in November of 2023 after finishing a Master’s in Health Psychology from University College London. During her time in London, she worked as a research assistant on various projects including a study on child healthy eating behaviors and the psychological impact of hemoglobinopathies on children. Through this experience she developed an interest in research and using research to improve care. Olivia is excited to be a part of the Kan Collaboratory because of her passion for working collaboratively to explore and solve real world problems. Outside of the lab, Olivia enjoys going for runs down Lake Shore Drive, spending time with friends and family, and trying different restaurants around Chicago.
Research Student Assistants
Kiran Bhat
(she/her)
Student Research Assistant
Kiran joined the Kan Collaboratory as a summer intern in 2024. She is a rising Junior at Northwestern studying Cognitive Science and Social Policy with a minor in Data Science. She is excited by the health systems-oriented research at Kan and hopes to enact change in the maternal and immigrant health spaces through epidemiological research and health data analysis. At Northwestern she co-leads the Asian Pacific American Coalition and directs fundraising for the Undergraduate Prison Education Program. In her free time, she can be found with her film camera, a book, or an iced matcha latte.
Lizbeth Sanchez
(she/her)
Student Research Assistant
Lizbeth Sanchez joined the Kan Collaboratory as a summer intern in June 2024. She is a rising junior at DePaul University studying Health Sciences with a Bioscience concentration on a pre-nursing track. Her interest in the research aspect of healthcare was sparked when enrolled in courses centered on public health, health policy, and ethics. She is excited to join the Kan Collaboratory and expand her knowledge on patient- centered research. As she pursues a career as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner she hopes to integrate what she learned throughout her experience in the lab to improve care and be an advocate for underserved communities.
To meet our former team members, check out our alumni page