Staff & Faculty

Sara S. Masoud, PhD
Lab Director

Amani Charaf, RN
Research Assistant
Students & Trainees

Caitlin Sangdahl, BS
Graduate Research Trainee

Gheed Zaki
Graduate Research Trainee






Dr. Sara S. Masoud is the Director of the Collective Care Lab and Co-Founder of the Community Health Research Initiative of South Texas. She is a participatory action researcher who partners with communities impacted by dementia. She is interested in studying how systematic community knowledge production can inform organizing and social change. She organizes with San Antonio for Justice in Palestine and is the Faculty Advisor for San Antonio Healthcare Workers for Palestine. In her spare time, she enjoys getting outdoors with her dog, Basil, her niece, Temple, and her nephew, Oliver.
Amani Charaf serves as a Research Assistant for the Collective Care Lab at UT San Antonio, School of Nursing, focusing on data collection, processing, and analysis. She holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration with strong demonstrated nursing & management experience in Dubai, UAE, and is proficient in project management. Amani contributes to improving community engagement in research through efficient methodology. In their free time, they are passionate about community networking and socializing .”
Caitlin Sangdahl serves as a Graduate Student Researcher for the Collective Care Lab at UT San Antonio, School of Nursing, focusing on data collection, processing, and analysis. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University and is currently pursing her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy here at UT Health San Antonio. Caitlin has worked in community engaged research for over 3 years, and looks forward to collaborating with various disciplines and communities. In her free time, she enjoys working out, volunteering, drawing, and expanding her knowledge and love of cars.”
Gheed Zaki serves as a Graduate Research Trainee in the Collective Care Lab at UT San Antonio, focusing on community-engaged research through data collection, analysis, and project support. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from UT San Antonio and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Chemistry. She plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Ayah Jamous is a SUNRISE Scholar and an undergraduate nursing student at UT San Antonio. Through the SUNRISE program, she is gaining early experience learning how studies are designed, data is collected and analyzed, and evidence is used to make impacts throughout the community. Ayah is building a strong foundation in both nursing practice and research, with a growing interest in evidence-based care and how nursing research can be translated into practical improvements in healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Leo and learning new recipes.Â