Eli Heath

Eli Heath is a sophomore at Texas Tech University with a major in chemical engineering and minors in bioengineering and chemistry. He is part of the Health Policy and Vaccine Administration Clinic working groups within Think Tank. He joined Think Tank because as a coordinator and administrator of a local free health clinic for low-income, homeless, and uninsured populations in Lubbock, Eli has firsthand seen and understood the challenges faced by individuals trying to access care in West Texas. Witnessing these, Eli was motivated to work for positive change. In addition to joining the Think Tank, Eli began researching disparities in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and corresponding risk factors across Lubbock and the West Texas region. Through his research, he hopes to increase current understanding and awareness of cardiovascular disease among vulnerable West Texas patients. As a student board member of the Think Tank, Eli hopes to use his experience to build upon his work and advance the public health of Lubbock and all of West Texas. His achievements and recognition include being recognized as a Top Ten First-Year Student by the Texas Tech University Mortar Board, the Tech Tech Volunteer of the Year in 2024 for his work in providing free health services around Lubbock, being a National Merit Scholar, being a James E. Sowell Endowed Engineering Scholar, and has earned a place on the President's Honor List since beginning his studies. His extracurriculars and involvement include serving as a Student Body Senator in the Student Government Association of Texas Tech University, conducting research in molecular virology and vascular pathogenesis in the Almodovar Lab at TTUHSC School of Medicine, representing the Honors College as an ambassador, and providing medical screenings around Lubbock with the Raider Medical Screening Society.