Regine Auguste
Brooklyn, NY
MPH, Community Health and Prevention

About Regine

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of its strong commitment to health equity and social justice. Dornsife has allowed me to think outside the box with its experiential learning and take what I've learned in the classroom out into the real world. The program is very flexible and allows me to pursue my interests that will support me in my future career.

Research Interests: Mental Health, Health Disparities, Public Health Practice, Social Determinants of Health, Collective Agency and Community Power

My APE: I worked as a graduate research assistant under Dr. Luis Valdez and the Medical Cannabis Research for the ongoing study titled Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to Medical Cannabis Use among Latino men: A pathway to equitable access. This summer research project uses a community-engaged and qualitative lens to focus on Latino men's experience with medical cannabis use, including barriers related to use, stigma, and broader public health inequities. Through recruitment, interviews, outreach, and data collection, this project's goal is to expand the Latino community perspectives that are underrepresented in this line of research.

Other Activities: Vice President Student Government Organization, Teaching Assistant for PBHL 101, 302 and 303.

Owen Avelar
Norristown, PA
MPH, Epidemiology

About Owen

Why I Chose Dornsife: I choose Dornsife because it was apparent from the first time I stepped on campus that the professors really care about the students and want to see you succeed.

Research Interests: Infectious Diseases, World Health

Jordana Benblatt
Manchester, CT
MPH, Community Health & Prevention (minor in Maternal & Child Health)

About Jordana

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of the 4+1 program, which allowed me to complete my undergraduate and master's degrees within five years. For undergrad, I double majored in psychology and health administration with a certificate in health and medical humanities. While I wasn't in the public health school at the time, the school was incredibly welcoming and supportive, especially as I transitioned to my master's classes. The school also presents students with many opportunities to explore their interests, which is really helpful as someone who likes to dabble in many fields.

Research Interests: Trauma-Informed Mental Health Care, Maternal & Child Health, Adolescent Mental Health, Mixed-Methods Research, and Education Systems

Raksha Bhat
Kumta, Karnataka, India
MPH, Epidemiology

About Raksha

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of its strong emphasis on health as a human right and its commitment to social justice in public health practice. I like how the school of public health integrates rigorous scientific training with community engagement and policy impact, the collaborative environment, diversity of perspectives, and opportunities to work on meaningful projects really drew me to Dornsife.

Research Interests: Oncology, Cardiovascular Diseases and Neurodivergence

My APE: My Applied Practice Experience (APE) focused on two projects. The first was a market assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), examining disease epidemiology, the patient journey, available and emerging treatments, and the competitive landscape to inform market forecasting. The second was a public policy assessment of childhood vaccination trends, exploring vaccination coverage, geographic and population disparities, and the implications of changing coverage for disease outbreaks. Together, these projects applied epidemiological research and forecasting to identify unmet needs and inform business and public health recommendations.

My ILE: My Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) examines whether higher annual out-of-pocket healthcare spending is associated with a greater likelihood of health-related financial sacrifice among U.S. adults aged 18-64, and whether this association varies by family income level. Using data from the 2024 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), I will explore how healthcare expenses relate to financial trade-offs, such as reducing spending on basic necessities, to better understand disparities in healthcare affordability.

Other Activities: I have been working as a research assistant at AJ Drexel Autism Institute since a year and the project that I am working on focuses on the Social experiences and loneliness among autistic adults during major life transitions. I am also assisting as a Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Biostatistics online.

LaShaun Collins
Chester, PA
MPH, Urban Health

About LaShaun

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of the school's deep-rooted relationships with community partners in Philadelphia, its renowned faculty, and its alignment with my research interests.

Research Interests: Urban Health, Mental Health, Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Neighborhood and Built Environment, Arts and Public Health, and Health Inequities

Amanda Crocker
Rochester, NY
MPH, Epidemiology (minor in Biostatistics)

About Amanda

Why I Chose Dornsife: Dornsife feels like a close-knit community within a large school in an even larger city, which is exactly the environment I wanted for my MPH. Drexel's professors are so involved with student success, and the opportunity to get hands-on experience in public health in Philadelphia through research opportunities and the APE stood out to me.

Research Interests: Cancer Epidemiology, Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Data Analysis, Biostatistics, Health Disparities, Social Determinants of Health

My APE: I was a Public Health Intern at the Hepatitis B Foundation. I worked on the storytelling team helping to create videos and social media graphics sharing the lived experiences of people living with Hepatitis B in the US and internationally. I also helped with capacity-building projects for Hep B United, a coalition of local community organizations across the US who are focused on hepatitis B testing, vaccination, and awareness in their own neighborhoods.

Other Activities: Dornsife Public Health Research Fellow conducting research in the Environmental and Occupational Health department with Dr. Leah Schinasi focused on heat safety protections/policy for heat-vulnerable workers.

Caden DeValle
Damascus, MD
MPH, Community Health and Prevention

About Caden

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because I wanted to gain more skills and experience related to community health and open the door to additional public health and leadership opportunities. Additionally, Dornsife's proximity to Philadelphia offers access to many outstanding public health organizations and nonprofits. Paired with the practicum experience, it provides an incredible real-world opportunity to contribute to meaningful service-learning partnerships.

Research Interests: Health Equity and Health Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Health Inequalities, Community-Engaged Research, and Community-Based Participatory Research

Shreya Dixit
Philadelphia, PA
MPH, Epidemiology

About Shreya

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of its focus on community-oriented research. I never want to work remotely and away from the community where I live. Much of Dornsife's research is dedicated to improving the health outcomes of people living in Philadelphia. I am also grateful for the generous financial aid support from the university, which has helped me continue my master's education.

Research Interests: Children's Health and Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Heather Humes
Red Bank, NJ
MPH, Health Management and Policy (minor in Maternal and Child Health)

About Heather

Why I Chose Dornsife: I felt connected to Dornsife's belief that health is a human right and its commitment to the Philadelphia community. I wanted to be part of a program that looked beyond healthcare itself and focused on making a meaningful difference in people's lives.

Research Interests: Mental Health, Nutrition, Childhood Immunization, Maternal Health, and Substance Use

Nabelah Hussain
Upper Darby, PA
MPH, Health Management and Policy (minor in Maternal and Child Health)

About Nabelah

Why I Chose Dornsife: Dornsife is ranked the #1 public health school in Philadelphia and having attended Drexel as an undergrad, I was familiar with Drexel's ability to cultivate collaborative community and connect you to whoever or whatever you may need to reach your goals and dreams. Though the programs are rigorous, you are met with care and empathy wherever you go. I learn so much from my peers and faculty and I am excited to use all the tools and resources at my disposal to help pave my path as a public health professional!

Research Interests: Health Services Research, Labor Policy, Maternal and Child Health

My APE: I was a research assistant working on the Feasibility Evaluation of the Philly Joy Bank, a perinatal guaranteed income pilot program with the aim of improving parental mental health and infant mortality outcomes in Philadelphia. I conducted qualitative coding and analysis on the perspectives of the Philly Joy Bank's Steering Committee and helped generate feasibility findings and recommendations for future program development.

Other Activities: I am currently working as a research assistant with a PhD student on a study about stigma, state surveillance, and parental medical cannabis use. I am also working as a teaching assistant for Public Health 101.

Sumbul Kiroglu
Bilecik, Türkiye
MPH, Community Health and Prevention

About Sumbul

Why I Chose Dornsife: Among my reasons, Drexel is an R1 research university, and Dornsife was the first school of public health in Philadelphia to receive CEPH accreditation. I was also interested in the opportunities to gain hands-on experience through the Applied Practice Experience (APE) and explore my research interests through the Integrative Learning Experience (ILE). I liked knowing that what I learn in the classroom wouldn't just stay in the classroom. I would have opportunities to put that knowledge into practice and gain experience that would help prepare me for my career after graduation. Coming from a background in Geological Engineering and Health Sciences, I was especially drawn to Dornsife's interdisciplinary approach. I also liked the flexibility to take elective courses in other areas of interest and the opportunity to earn an additional certificate by completing the required coursework. Last but not least, Dornsife's strong career outcomes, with 87% of master's graduates employed within one year of graduation, were another important factor in my decision.

Research Interests: Community-Based Environmental Health, Environmental Exposure Science, Air Quality, GIS, Artificial Intelligence in Public Health, Climate Change and Health, and Women’s and Children’s Health

Jabou Kora
Upper Darby, PA
MPH, Epidemiology (online program)

About Jabou

Why I Chose Dornsife: Dornsife's commitment to health equity and community engagement.

Research Interests: Epidemiology, Chronic Disease Preparedness

My APE: My APE was completed at Lutheran Settlement House, where I served as a Staff Wellness Research Intern. My project focused on assessing employee well-being, workplace stress, burnout, and organizational support through a staff wellness survey. I helped develop survey questions, gather staff perspectives, and examine factors affecting employee wellness. The goal was to identify opportunities for improving workplace conditions and inform future staff wellness initiatives.

Yawa Kugbe
Lancaster, PA
MPH, Health Management and Policy

About Yawa

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because its MPH program offers the kind of public health training I value; hands-on, community-focused, and centered on real impact. The program's emphasis on health equity, urban health, and applied learning gives students the chance to work directly with communities while developing leadership and research skills. As someone passionate about prevention and expanding access to care in underserved areas, I know Dornsife's supportive environment and strong public health network will help me grow into a well-rounded and impactful public health professional.

Research Interests: Maternal and Child Health, Behavioral Health and Prevention, Health Policies

My APE: Through my internship with the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), I supported the ADHA with state and federal policy initiatives aiming to improve the oral health workforce and expand dental care access to across the United States populations. My role was centered on developing advocacy resources, policy analyses, and legislative toolkits regarding direct Medicaid reimbursement for dental hygienists.

Neha Menon
North Brunswick, NJ
MPH, Epidemiology (minor in Infection Prevention and Control)

About Neha

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife for my MPH because my undergraduate experience here helped me find purpose and clarity in the work I wanted to pursue in public health. The guidance and support I received from professors and faculty over the years played a crucial role in my decision to return for my MPH. Returning to Dornsife gave me the opportunity to work toward addressing systemic barriers to health care and improving health equity.

Research Interests: Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Vaccination and Immunization, Disease Outbreak Investigation, and Immunology

Megha Modi
Mehsana, Gujarat, India
MPH, Epidemiology

About Megha

Why I Chose Dornsife: What drew me to Drexel Dornsife was the rare combination of academic rigor and a deeply supportive, close-knit community. From day one, it was clear that Dornsife fosters a collaborative environment where faculty are genuinely invested in student success. The school's mission-driven focus on community engagement, health disparities, and hands-on practice in Philadelphia made it the ideal place for me to grow as a public health professional and connect with peers who share a passion for equitable health outcomes.

Research Interests: Program Evaluation, Qualitative Research, and Infectious Disease

Ajene Nicholson
Neptune, NJ
MPH Epidemiology (online program) (minor in Infectious Disease and Population Health)

About Ajene

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because I knew this public health program would shape me into exactly who I'm meant to be.

Research Interests: Infectious Disease, Environmental Health, and Global Health

My APE: My APE project was based on a remote internship I did with Wellness Equity Alliance during the Spring quarter. My deliverables were a IEHP ECM Data Analysis Report and a Tribal Health Program Evaluation Assessment.

Isaac Okoye
Nigeria
MPH, Epidemiology (minor in Biostatistics)

About Isaac

Why I Chose Dornsife: Dornsife's approach to public health embodies a culture of inclusivity, shared learning, and collaboration. These qualities resonate with my personal values and professional aspirations.

Research Interests: Maternal and Child Health

Salima Oumar-Mahamat
Mullica Hill, NJ
MPH, Epidemiology (minor in Biostatistics)

About Salima

Why I Chose Dornsife: I was drawn to Dornsife due to the schools drive to apply classroom knowledge to real world experiences. Through opportunities like research and ILE's, I'd be able to not only study complex health issues but learn/actually tackle them.

Research Interests: Health Disparities, Maternal and Infant Health, Rare Diseases, and Non-Communicable Diseases

James Pappas
Staten Island, NY
MPH, Health Management & Policy

About James

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because I want to transition my career into healthcare and gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to succeed in the field.

Research Interests: Health Management and Policy, Hospital Operations and Administration, and Health Program Management/Strategic Program Management

Emily Rainey
Tampa, FL
MPH, Epidemiology (minor in LGBTQ+ Health)

About Emily

Why I Chose Dornsife: I wanted to attend a program that fit my beliefs and research interests, and Dornsife provided that and a welcoming community! This program allows me to pursue my career interests in a setting the prepares us for our future careers.

Research Interests: LGBT Health, Health Disparities, Health Policy, Qualitative Methods

My APE: My APE project was done under the Mayor's Commission on LGBT Affairs here in Philadelphia. I developed newsletters and communications to the public regarding Medicare and SNAP changes coming in late 2026 and early 2027.

My ILE: My ILE project is going to be looking at the relationship between sexual orientation and sleep quality/sleep disturbances! Sleep behaviors are a relatively new focus in epidemiology, but a very important one. Sleep impacts numerous other health outcomes and behaviors, making it a great topic for an ILE project!

Other Activities: I'm the president of SGO, I'm a teaching assistant for classes at Dornsife, and I work for the office of disability resources on campus as a proctor!

Christina Rawa
Garnet Valley, PA
MPH, Community Health and Prevention

About Christina

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because its mission of promoting health as a human right aligns with my passion for addressing health disparities and improving access to care in underserved communities. The school's strong community partnerships in West Philadelphia and emphasis on hands-on, practice-based learning stood out to me. I am especially drawn to Dornsife's collaborative environment, which will allow me to gain the public health foundation I need to pursue a future career in dentistry.

Research Interests: Health Inequities, Health Communication, Infectious Disease, Community Based Participatory Research

JaNyiah Rothwell
Chester, PA
MPH, Urban Health/Africana Studies

About JaNyiah

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because it is the #1 ranked school of public health in Philadelphia and is among the top 15% of public health programs nationally.

Research Interests: Urban Health

Shanae Salley
Philadelphia, PA
MPH, Urban Health (certificate in Infection Prevention and Control)

About Shanae

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health because of its commitment to health equity, social justice, and improving the health of urban communities. As someone born and raised in Philadelphia, I have witnessed firsthand how social, economic, and racial inequalities affect access to healthcare and overall health outcomes. I wanted to attend a school that not only focuses on understanding these disparities but also encourages students to become actively involved in creating meaningful change.

Research Interests: Maternal and Child Health, Reproductive Health Equity, Mental and Behavioral Health Disparities, Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, Infection Prevention and Control, and the Social Determinants of Health

Cynthia Santana-Anzures
Los Angeles, CA
MPH, Epidemiology (minor in Biostatistics)

About Cynthia

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of its welcoming and inclusive environment, supportive and encouraging faculty and staff, and the opportunity to connect with students from different backgrounds. I also appreciate its commitment to health equity and emphasis on community engagement and advocacy.

Research Interests: Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Kidney Disease, Nutrition and Obesity, and Wearable Technology and Medical Devices

Sarah Simpson
Bear, DE
MPH, Health Management and Policy

About Sarah

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife for its outstanding academic strength in public health. I loved the campus, and I like how the school emphasizes the real-world training that we would receive during the program. The 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio also ensures students have enough mentors and advisors to help them thrive, which I'm not used to.

Research Interests: Health Management, Health Equity, Public Health Practice, Health Inequities, and Health Disparities

My APE: For my APE, I was a Field Research Assistant with the Stanford Food Policy Lab. For this short internship, I went into the community of Philadelphia (mainly University City and Center City area) collecting data about people's nutrition choices at popular fast-food chains via surveys. I am currently looking for my ILE.

Derson Smith
Pottstown, PA
MPH, Epidemiology (online program) (minor in Infectious Disease and Population Health)

About Derson

Why I Chose Dornsife: I care deeply about preventing disease, improving health equity, or advocating for underserved communities. Instead of treating one patient at a time, public health allows you to help entire populations,

Research Interests: Autoimmune Infectious Diseases

Kashanti Taylor
Rochester, MN
MPH, Community Health & Prevention

About Kashanti

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Drexel for a multitude of reasons, but some of the main reasons were its emphasis on uplifting and investing in the Philadelphia community and how genuinely happy and engaged the students seemed when I visited during Accepted Students Day.

Research Interests: Mental Health Advocacy, Education, and Awareness

Jaz Wilder
Pittsburgh, PA
Executive MPH (minor in Environmental and Occupational Health)

About Jaz

Why I Chose Dornsife: Dornsife is recognized as an accredited institution by the Council on Education for Public health and a center of excellence for public health, both enticing reasons to pursue a public health graduate degree at the institution.

Research Interests: Health Management and Policy, Environmental and Occupational Health, Community Health and Prevention, Mental Health, Racial and Ethnic Health Inequalities, Health Disparities, Urban Health, Health Law

My APE: I completed my APE with the Firefighter Injury Research Safety Trends Center, analyzing the latest workers' compensation legislation in Pennsylvania, which now covers mental injury. In this project, I compared the new Pennsylvania law with similar legislation nationwide and interviewed key stakeholders to better understand the legislative process and the chosen language.