Salar Khaleghzadegan is a doctoral student in the health policy and clinical practice program. Khaleghzadegan was one of four Guarini students who traveled to Washington, D.C. for the AAAS CASE 2026 conference, which introduces graduate students to federal policymaking and advocacy for scientific research.
Where do you call home, and what’s one thing about that place that still shapes how you think or work today?
I grew up in a Baltimore suburb called Reisterstown and spent most of my college and post-graduate days in Baltimore City before moving to the Upper Valley. My upbringing in and around Baltimore taught me how to find community, resilience, and opportunity even in places that others often overlook. In addition, it shapes my work today by having the understanding that everyone carries a story and that meaningful change starts with listening to people and understanding their lived experiences.
Where did you complete your undergraduate studies and what did you study? Was there a moment that pointed you toward graduate school?
I studied biology and sociology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). I also returned to the UMBC School of Public Policy to receive a MPP degree in health policy. One experience during college that was pivotal in my decision to pursue a PhD was my work as a patient advocate with a non-profit organization called Health Leads.
Through partnering directly with patients to help them access public resources and navigate barriers to care, I saw firsthand the profound health and social disparities affecting my community. Seeing the challenges faced by members of my community sparked both frustration and a deep desire to better understand why these inequities exist. That experience fueled my passion for using research to identify ways we can improve healthcare, strengthen patient support, and improve people’s lives.
What program are you in at Dartmouth, and what specifically drew you here?
I am getting a PhD in health policy and clinical practice. What drew me to Dartmouth was the program’s multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to mentorship. The ultimate selling point for coming to Dartmouth over other programs was the opportunity to work in the Open Recordings group at the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, led by Dr. Paul Barr. The research being conducted in this group was highly aligned with interests I had developed as a research analyst at Johns Hopkins University, and I knew this was the right place to further cultivate and develop these interests.
Tell us about your research—what big questions are you tackling, and what inspired you to dive into this field?
My research sits at the intersection of health policy, linguistics, and data science. I research communication and shared decision-making in dementia-related clinical encounters. Specifically, my work examines how uncertainty is communicated and managed among clinicians, patients, and care partners and how these interactions shape care experiences, decision-making, and outcomes.
In parallel, I am increasingly focused on the use of AI in medicine, particularly how AI-driven tools influence clinical decision-making, patient understanding, clinician uncertainty, and trust. The rapid integration of AI into healthcare raises important questions about transparency, accountability, equity, and the downstream implications for all stakeholders such as patients, clinicians, and health systems.
What drew you to apply for the AAAS CASE workshop, and what’s one concrete skill or connection you hoped to leave Washington with?
I was drawn to the AAAS CASE workshop because I wanted to better understand how researchers can effectively engage with science policy and communicate the broader impact of their work beyond academia. Over the past few years, I have seen the ripple effects that uncertainty in science and health research funding can have on researchers, healthcare systems, and the communities these efforts are meant to support. This motivated me to better understand how scientists can advocate for sustained investment in research and communicate its value to policymakers and the public.
One skill I hoped to leave Washington with was the ability to communicate complex research clearly and persuasively to policymakers and congressional staff in a way that highlights why scientific research and sustained research funding matter for communities and public health.
Is there a science policy issue you feel isn’t getting enough attention? How does your research connect to it, even indirectly?
One science policy issue I feel needs more attention is the uncertainty surrounding NIH and federal research funding and the ripple effects this has on researchers, trainees, healthcare systems, and the communities research is meant to support. Funding instability can slow scientific progress, disrupt collaborations, and limit opportunities to conduct patient-centered research that improves healthcare delivery and outcomes.
As a health services researcher, my work focuses on healthcare communication and patient experiences among vulnerable populations, including people living with dementia and their care partners. Sustained support for this kind of research is essential to ensuring that healthcare innovation continues to benefit the communities it is intended to serve.
If you could give one piece of advice to incoming graduate students, what would it be?
My biggest piece of advice to graduate students is to explore and be open to different possibilities that you encounter in graduate school. Most of us enter graduate school with a specific topic or research area that we are interested in, but sometimes you encounter different areas of work that you had never considered before.
You’d be amazed by how much some of the most meaningful opportunities, collaborations, and ideas can come from experiences outside of your original plan. Some of the most valuable parts of graduate school happen when you say yes to trying something new, meeting people from different disciplines, and allowing your interests to evolve over time.
What’s your favorite spot or activity in the Hanover/Upper Valley area that helps you recharge outside of research?
I love going on hikes in the area and always open to new hike suggestions! I’ve also learned to expand my culinary and baking skills so that I can eat some of my favorite dishes that you can’t find in the Upper Valley.
