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

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

Amanda Crocker
Rochester, NY
MPH, Epidemiology

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

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

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

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

Kim Malone
Philadelphia, PA
Executive MPH

About Kim

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of the school's deep commitment to public health, equity, and community engagement. The School's mission aligns perfectly with my own passion for creating healthier communities through education, advocacy, and hands-on impact. Dornsife empowers students to apply knowledge in real-world settings, particularly in urban and underserved populations. I was drawn to the culture of collaboration, innovation, and service that the school represents.

Research Interests: I am interested in health equity, community health, and access to quality care in underserved populations. My focus is on addressing barriers that prevent individuals from receiving essential preventive and diagnostic services. I also have a strong interest in public health education, early disease detection, and how community-based initiatives can reduce health disparities and build trust in healthcare systems.

Jaara Ndaw
Philadelphia, PA
MPH, Global Health

About Jaara

Why I Chose Dornsife: I started my Drexel undergrad in STEM w/ Env Science and switched to Humanities under Global Studies freshman year, but maintained a concentration in Health & Sustainability. This concentration required me to take a few public health courses and I was very inspired by my professors and their disciplines in Global Health and Epi. When I was offered employment here and realized I could continue school for a lower cost, I consulted with my mentors and some Dornsife faculty before choosing to pursue my MPH in Dornsife!

Research Interests: Environmental Determinants and Onsets of Health Issues, particularly among underserved communities. I have done research on Environmental Justice issues in Afro-Latinx communities in the Spanish speaking Caribbean as well as Central America in Costa Rica via surveys to my black peers there when studying abroad. People among the African Diaspora across all continents are dying faster than other racial groups and I want to be involved in combatting this.

My APE: This summer, I assisted Dr. Ashley Gripper from the Ubuntu Center in developing her As Above, So Below Lab Launch. The lab is intended to be a safe space for those to explore their research, academic, and personal interests without the pressure of conforming to the typical research/academic structure. She also aims for the lab to be a community-building initiative as well as a platform to give back to the local community through environmentally sustainable programs. This lab launch preparation consisted of organizing an agenda for the launch event itself, as well as mockups for the lab manual and website for interested parties to reference.

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

Other Activities: I'm a Healthcare Research Intern with Social Tellegacy, where I contribute Tellegacy's mission to improve healthcare outcomes, intergenerational connections, and community engagement.

Isaac Okoye
Nigeria
MPH, Community Health and Prevention

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

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

Emily Rainey
Tampa, FL
MPH, Epidemiology

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

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

Sarah Simpson
Bear, DE
MPH, Community Health and Prevention

About Sarah

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of the overwhelming wealth of knowledge that would be available to me. I also saw many opportunities for me to learn and grow in public health and in my career endeavors, and ever since being accepted I've been met with nothing but joy. The faculty ratio of 3:1 also ensures that all my questions will be answered and I have help readily available to me when I need it. Of course not to mention all the wonderful things to do around Philly.

Research Interests: Health Communications

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

Jaz Wilder
Pittsburgh, PA
Executive MPH

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