Katya was raised in New York City. She completed her Master's in Gender, Globalization, and Human Rights focusing on Sexuality and Global Health at the National University of Ireland, Galway. While in Ireland, Katya was a graduate assistant for the Centre for Global Women’s Studies on advocacy for women’s health issues, and worked with MSF to raise awareness on gender based-violence issues for refugees living in Greece. Shortly after, Katya worked with an NGO called Lighthouse Relief in Greece, on sexual reproductive health and gender based violence initiatives at a refugee camp. She was involved in various projects, including infant and young child health, family planning, maternal health, and psychosocial support activities for women in the camp. Katya enjoys collecting comics and trying international cuisine. In addition to being a GHC fellow, Katya is an AmeriCorps VISTA member.