Official Blog | UCGPC

Meet Jack Feng (he/him), a 3rd year PhD student in Epidemiology at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, specializing in HIV/STIs prevention and treatment research. He also serves as Inaugural Vice President of Communications at UCLA Center for LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Research, and Health.  

Jack serves on the Board of Directors of UCGPC and External Vice President of the UCLA Graduate Students Association (GSA), where he advocates for the rights, opportunities, and well-being of nearly 14,000 graduate and professional students. In his role, Jack believes in the power of strong and inclusive coalition building, which guides his EVP leadership approach. He focuses on forging strategic partnerships with elected officials, policymakers, and community leaders to advance student protection, equity, and access to higher education.  

Jack holds a B.A. in Biochemistry and Ethics and Public Policy at the University of Iowa, as well as a M.H.S. in Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  

Recently, Jack spoke at September’s Regents Meeting about the direct impacts of the suspension of research funding. Here’s some of his comments: “Good morning, Regents. My name is Jack Feng. I am a third-year doctoral student in Epidemiology at UCLA, a proud member of UAW 4811, and serve as the UCLA Graduate Student Body External Vice President. I am speaking on behalf of my fellow grad students whose education, research, and livelihoods are directly threatened by the federal suspension of our research funding. Each day the suspension continues, graduate student researchers like me lose tuition support and income, delay academic and research progress, while our departments struggle to provide the safety net we need. Equally concerning are the proposed far-reaching settlement conditions, which would disproportionately harm our students of color, LGBTQ+, first-generation, low-income, immigrant, and international students, many of whom already face significant barriers and live in fear in today’s political landscape. On behalf of UCLA students, I urge the Board to stand up for UC without compromising student rights, academic freedom, or our shared values. I ask you to include a student regent in the Advisory group to ensure transparent, inclusive decision-making, and work with state leaders to challenge harmful federal actions, bridge funding gaps, and protect students, research, and programs during this crisis.”

Click this link to listen to more of his remarks at the Regents Meeting.

Connect with Jack through UCGPC to learn more about his passion for student representation and advocacy.