Our Team

Mariam Assem is a clinical pharmacist and clinical research professional with a passion for advancing evidence-based medicine and expanding access to high-quality research across populations. With a strong foundation in diabetes, cardiology, nephrology, and neonatology, she transitioned into clinical research to drive innovation at the intersection of science, patient care, and strategy.

Her work at the Alexandria Clinical Research Center has included managing oncology clinical trials, leading regulatory submissions, and overseeing site activations—culminating in one of her proudest achievements: launching Egypt’s first neonatal satellite site for clinical trials. This milestone expanded research access for vulnerable pediatric populations and reinforced her commitment to equitable healthcare innovation.

Mariam has also played a key role in fostering global partnerships, including an international collaboration with King’s College London. These efforts have helped facilitate knowledge exchange, elevate clinical research standards, and strengthen Egypt’s footprint in global health research.

Her leadership extends into public awareness and professional education. As an invited speaker at the International CardioAlex Conference, she has shared insights on clinical pharmacy advancements and the role of rigorous, patient-centered research in improving cardiovascular outcomes.

Mariam holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Pharmacy from Alexandria University and is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS), a prestigious certification from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties in the United States. Her career is guided by a clear mission: to bridge the gap between research and practice, turning complex medical knowledge into solutions that deliver real-world impact. With every project, she strives to communicate science clearly, execute with precision, and improve lives through meaningful, measurable change.

Francheska Lynn Capistrano is a public health content strategist, clinical researcher, and licensed medical laboratory scientist in the Philippines, with specialization in hematology, clinical chemistry, and clinical pathology. Her work centers on bridging the gap between scientific research and public understanding—ensuring that complex medical and health information is both accessible and actionable.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Saint Louis University, widely recognized as the leading institution for MLS education in the Philippines. This strong academic foundation in diagnostic science, patient care, and laboratory research continues to shape her contributions to public health and evidence-based communication.

Her professional journey began in clinical laboratory science and advanced into clinical research, where she currently serves as a coordinator for international trials focused on respiratory diseases. In this role, she ensures regulatory compliance, patient safety, and data integrity while managing critical study components—including oversight of sleep laboratories. Her experience in sleep studies has deepened her understanding of the intersection between sleep health and respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD, and its role in shaping patient outcomes.

Beyond research, Francheska is a passionate advocate for public health communication and education. She serves as a guest speaker for institutions such as Saint Louis University and the University of the Cordilleras, delivering talks that equip students and healthcare professionals with insights into health research and policy. Her content development work spans research translation, stakeholder engagement, and policy-aligned communication strategies. She has contributed to projects exploring topics such as respiratory health, academic stress and coping mechanisms, and the cognitive effects of sleep deprivation.

A certified author recognized by the National Book Development Board of the Philippines since 2022, Francheska specializes in translating complex scientific concepts into engaging, community-focused messaging. Her writing empowers individuals and institutions to make informed decisions and drive meaningful health change.

She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Essex as a Global Access Full Scholarship Awardee, with a focus on global health equity and patient-centered communication. Her work reflects a commitment to compassionate, community-grounded healthcare advancement, and a vision for closing the gap between science and society.

Evelyn Creekmore is a consulting content director, strategist and copywriter who brings a wealth of experience in digital health communications, including 10 years full-time at WebMD. Other long-term clients in the health space have included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HealthGrades, UNC Health, and GE HealthCare.

Evelyn began her career in Charlotte, North Carolina, as a copywriter at First Union National Bank, now Wachovia. Wanting to broaden her experience to other industries, she then worked at ad agencies in both Charlotte and New York, obtaining an MA in writing and rhetoric along the way. She gained a wide breadth of experience across sectors, from Chicago Pneumatic Tools to Home Shopping Network, before arriving at WebMD in Atlanta.

Evelyn’s tenure at WebMD inspired a love of health literacy that led her to obtain an MPH in informatics from Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. To better serve her readers, Evelyn wanted to understand more than the surface. She wanted to understand the science. She also credits the program with helping her build additional skills, including community engagement and stakeholder outreach, as she pursued her health content consulting business, now in its ninth year.

Michelle Estevez is spearheading the launch of new Sleep Literacy social media channels for the Health Culture Foundation, designed to engage a broader general audience with accessible, high-impact content. These channels complement HCF’s core platforms, which continue to focus on professional and policy-level public health communications. Michelle’s role centers on transforming strategic ideas into polished, compelling posts that bring evidence-based sleep education to life across digital platforms.

As a direct response copywriter with a strong foundation in social sciences and behavioral psychology, Michelle brings a unique blend of creativity and conversion-driven thinking. Her approach is rooted in understanding what motivates people—drawing on both research and real-world insights to craft messages that resonate and drive action.

Michelle has partnered with businesses and mission-driven organizations to deliver copy that deepens audience connection, builds trust, and inspires measurable results. Her background in humanities and communications enables her to bridge strategic storytelling with actionable clarity, making her work both impactful and enduring.

Outside of content creation, Michelle is deeply engaged in studying human behavior, constantly gathering insights to refine her craft and elevate the way ideas are shared in the digital space.

Kalman Gacs is Managing Director of the Health Culture Foundation, where he leads national initiatives like Sleep Awareness Month and SleepLiteracy.org. A seasoned strategist, he previously ran a web agency serving nonprofits, co-founded a marketing firm serving top colleges, and worked in market research with Fortune 500 companies. Across sectors, his focus has been on making communication more accessible, actionable, and inspiring. With a passion for storytelling, systems thinking, and collective impact, Kalman now builds tools and movements that help communities amplify their message—and their mission.

Select accomplishments:
• Helped design the early logo for the fossil fuel divestment movement, now linked to $40.5T in divested assets
• Built resource libraries with his team for multiple organizations with 1,000,000’s of downloads annually each.
• Led his team in supporting and maintaining an open source project which run on over 10,000 websites for over five years.

An experienced copywriter and digital health consultant, Eamon has the rare skill-stack of deep clinical expertise, persuasive writing skills, and marketing know-how.

Eamon began his career in Australia’s public health system as a clinical social worker. He spent several years working in the forensic system (courts, prison, and probation & parole), before moving to inpatient psychiatry. After developing a solid foundation in mental health practice and addictions, Eamon transitioned to the medical sector, taking up a role as a complex care coordinator for the Health Department of Western Australia. 

Following 15 years of continuous clinical work, Eamon was ready for a change and started his copywriting business. He now primarily works as a freelance copywriter, content strategist, and consultant for business-to-business (B2B) healthtech companies. However, with his strong roots in public healthcare, Eamon is always open to working on consumer-oriented projects.

Most of Eamon’s spare time is spent with his four children and going to the beach or outdoors (after long stretches of writing). Eamon believes that with a thoughtful approach, technology has the capacity to solve some of the biggest global healthcare challenges today. He has a special interest in burnout among health workers and all things mental health. 

Sabrina Mierswa is the Director of Sleep Awareness Month on Campus, where she leads national efforts to promote student well-being through evidence-based sleep education. Focused on supporting universities in implementing impactful wellness initiatives, she collaborates with campuses across the country to improve academic performance, mental health, and student success through better sleep.

Sabrina is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of California, Davis. Her research in the Leach Lab centers on developing regenerative therapies for fracture repair, with a focus on stiffness gradients, microgel systems, and mesenchymal stromal cell modulation. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and presented her work at international conferences.

Her experience spans biomedical research, health education, and public engagement. At UC Davis and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, she has led multidisciplinary projects bridging scientific innovation and translational healthcare solutions. Sabrina also mentors high school students through STEM programs and serves on a regional advisory board to support career readiness in biosciences.

Through Sleep Awareness Month, Sabrina combines her research background with a deep commitment to public health communication. She is currently developing a student-focused, science-based presentation that explores the biology of sleep, recent advances in sleep research, and practical strategies to improve sleep quality. Her work aims to make complex science accessible—and to help students prioritize rest as a foundational part of their health and success.

Shikha Puri is a public health researcher and trained dentist whose work bridges clinical care and community impact. With a strong foundation in dentistry and a deep commitment to health equity, she has spent her career addressing healthcare disparities, improving access to care, and championing preventive strategies across diverse populations.

Driven by a passion to shift from one-on-one treatment to large-scale public health impact, Shikha has led and contributed to a wide range of research initiatives focused on children, older adults, and underserved communities. Her work spans topics including oral health needs assessments, career satisfaction among dental professionals, and broader public health concerns such as HIV, substance use, and mental health. She has also worked on federally funded programs through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with a focus on Native American and Alaskan Native populations.

Shikha’s research portfolio includes data-driven policy recommendations, program evaluations, and sustainable community health strategies. She has engaged directly with stakeholders and community-based programs to develop interventions that not only close gaps in care but also drive lasting change. In addition to her research, she has played key roles in program development and implementation, ensuring that public health policies translate into meaningful, real-world outcomes.

An accomplished communicator, Shikha has presented her work at national conferences and authored publications in respected journals. She excels at translating complex scientific findings into accessible, actionable insights—an approach that resonates deeply with diverse audiences.

As part of SleepAwarenessMonth, Shikha is currently developing a thoughtful, evidence-based presentation on the importance of sleep. Aimed at students and the general public, her talk explores the science of sleep stages, shares recent research, and offers practical, research-backed advice for improving sleep quality. Her work has already inspired a wealth of compelling social media ideas and is helping shape how we communicate about sleep in ways that are clear, credible, and deeply impactful.