About Us
Our Mission
The Health Care Financing Initiative fosters research and engagement between our students and faculty, legislative and policymaking leaders, and industry leaders in the areas of health care financing and public policy.The McCourt School established the Health Care Financing Initiative (HCFI) in June 2018 with the generous support of the Institute for Critical Care Foundation (ICCF).
Our Team
Principal Investigator
Thomas DeLeire, PhD
Distinguished Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy
Director, HCFI
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Carol B. Davis, PhD, MBA
Assistant Research Professor, McCourt School of Public Policy
Associate Director of Research and Publications, HCFI
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Emmanuella Sobo, MPH
Research Program Manager
Emmanuella is an experienced program manager and public health analyst with demonstrated success in overseeing program deliverables, including the development of written protocols, reporting materials, and database documentation. With a Master of Public Health from George Washington University, she specializes in data management and project implementation, ensuring the successful achievement of program goals and strict adherence to state and federal regulations. Emmanuella has worked across various sectors, including academic, clinical, and governmental organizations, where she has excelled in implementing data-driven strategies and fostering collaborative efforts to drive meaningful outcomes. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and exploring diverse culinary cultures.
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Aditi Bhardwaj
Biostatician
Aditi is a data professional with over 3 years of experience in machine learning, statistical analysis, data visualization, and programming languages including Python, R, and SQL. Proficient in business intelligence tools like Tableau, Aditi specializes in deriving actionable insights from complex datasets using artificial intelligence and statistical modeling techniques and presenting these findings in clear, visually engaging reports to non-technical audiences and thrive in collaborative environments. She is excited to leverage expertise in data-driven strategies to contribute to the success of the HealthCare Financing Initiative.
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Vika Li
Graduate Research Assistant
Vika is a second-year student in the Data Science for Public Policy (DSPP) program, with a focus on healthcare and life sciences. With a bachelor’s degree from New York University, where she concentrated on mental health, Vika brings a unique perspective to her work, combining data analytics with a deep understanding of human behavior. As the website manager, she’s the point of contact for any issues or suggestions. Outside of work, Vika enjoys solo adventures and exploring cities on foot.
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Yuhan Ma
Graduate Research Assistant
Yuhan is an M.S. candidate in Data Science for Public Policy at the McCourt School. Yuhan is passionate about leveraging data science to improve health outcomes, and to promote health equity. Her goal is to build a fairer, more equitable environment that empowers individuals to lead healthier lives.
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Emmanuel Carrasco Hernandez
Graduate Research Assistant
Emmanuel is a Master of Public Policy candidate specializing in population health and harm reduction strategies. As an international student from Mexico with a background in Economics, he brings a unique blend of high-level financial analysis and strategic community engagement. He applies data-driven insights to tackle real-world challenges.
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Yetong Xu
Graduate Research Assistant
Yetong completed his graduate studies at the McCourt School of Public Policy in Data Science for Public Policy in May 2024. His research interests include Health Policy, Computational Social Science, and Development Economics. He is passionate about applying data science to solve social issues and improve the welfare of those in need. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball. Yetong is currently a Research Associate Fellow at Harvard Business School.
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Rehman Liaqat
Graduate Research Assistant
Rehman Liaqat (He/Him) graduated in May 2024 with a Master of Public Policy (MPP), focusing on economic policy development. A 2022-24 George E. Richmond Scholar for Health Equity and a 2023 Leadership Fellow at the McCourt School, he worked to promote equity, community, and meaningful dialogue within academic policy circles. Rehman is now pursuing a JD program in Northwestern.