Meet JB, Our New Research Assistant

In his role as Research Assistant, Innovation and Research, JB supports day-to-day project management and project logistics. They conduct literature reviews across a range of health topics, draft clear summaries of findings, and support the conceptualization and writing of reports and proposals. JB also facilitates communication with partners and external stakeholders, including youth-supporting professionals and young people.

JB’s journey with Healthy Teen Network began even before stepping into this role. They first joined as a Thrivology Youth Leader, where they served as a key contributor to the human-centered resource development process. From there, JB became a Fellow, Innovation and Research, assisting with project coordination for Thrivology and In/Tend and supporting communication with external partners.

Once I got a peek behind the curtain as a Thrivology Youth Leader, I knew this was a team I wanted to be a part of.

“I’ve long admired Healthy Teen Network’s evidence-based and design-backed approach to sex ed,” JB shared. “The organization’s commitment to inclusivity shines through every resource. Once I got a peek behind the curtain as a Thrivology Youth Leader, I knew this was a team I wanted to be a part of.”

Before Healthy Teen Network, JB worked as a Youth Development Teacher at the YMCA of San Diego County, where they led daily programming and built strong relationships with young people. They also served as a Communications Intern at EducateUS, leading the communications program and creating accessible content across five social media channels to promote youth health policy.

JB holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts – Media from the University of California, San Diego. They are also certified as a Wellness Coach II by the California Department of Health and Human Services and as a Healing Centered Engagement Practitioner by Flourish Agenda.

JB’s passion for inclusive, affirming sex education is deeply personal. Reflecting on what was missing in their own sex ed experience, they shared: “So much! I only received abstinence education in middle school, and I definitely didn’t learn anything about how (or if!) the information provided applied to my queer experience.” They also noted that they wish they had been taught “how preventable and treatable STIs are, rather than receiving only fearmongering.”

I’m so excited to collaborate and build resources that we know are needed.

As JB steps into this new role, they’re especially excited about collaboration. “This organization has some amazing minds,” they said. “I’m so excited to collaborate and build resources that we know are needed.”

When asked what they would do to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health outcomes if they had a magic wand, JB didn’t hesitate: “I’d remove shame from the equation.” They went on to share that “so often, sexual and reproductive health needs aren’t met because of the societal shame that’s been instilled in all of us,” and that they wish young people had “no reason to fear asking questions about their bodies or experiences.”

Outside of work, JB’s curiosity and creativity continue to shine. “I love learning,” they said, whether that’s through podcasts, books, or YouTube video essays. You can often find JB taking a dance class, working on a short film, participating in local activism—or, as they put it, “I’m probably doing crossword puzzles.”

We’re thrilled to welcome JB to the Healthy Teen Network team and look forward to the insight, care, and creativity they bring to their work. Welcome, JB!