Olamide Adebowale
Richmond, VA
MPH, Health Management and Policy
About Olamide
Why I Chose Dornsife: It is one of the best programs I found, and it brought me my full circle moment.
Research Interests: Health improvement for vulnerable and immigrant populations.
Favorite Place on Campus: Not sure yet.
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: My kitchen :)
Breanne Baez
Pomona, NY
MPH, Community Health and Prevention
About Breanne
Why I Chose Dornsife: The many opportunities offered and the location of Drexel itself.
Research Interests: Nutrition/Obesity
Favorite Place on Campus: The Rec Center
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Johns Food Truck
Rachel Bard
Voorhees, NJ
MPH, Health Management and Policy
About Rachel
Life at Dornsife: After attending an Open House day at DSPH and hearing the professors and students speak about the endless opportunities available both within the school and its surrounded area, I knew Drexel was the school for me. Dornsife was founded with the principle that health is a human right, this principle is easily seen within all the courses taught here!
Practicum: HealthShare Exchange (HSX)
Favorite Place on Campus: The Main Building is so beautiful especially when it is decorated for the holidays!
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Toss-up between the House of Cupcakes truck and the Papermill Spuritto truck!
Maura Boughter-Dornfeld
Philadelphia, PA
MPH, Health Management & Policy
About Maura
Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because I saw immediately how engaged the whole community is and how much everyone cares about each individual's success and growth. Dornsife demonstrated their interest in having well-rounded students, understood my need for some financial support, and helped me with my hope to gain experience (in many forms) to further my career in public health.
Research Interests: Food Insecurity, Childhood Adversity/Trauma, Access to Health Care
Favorite Place on Campus: 3rd floor (Health Management & Policy Department) of Nesbitt!
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Spurrito or Boba (Food Trucks) and Han Dynasty (Restaurant)
Breauna Branch
Bowie, MD
MPH, Epidemiology
About Breauna
Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because I really enjoyed how welcoming everyone was when I visited the school during the admissions process. I value that we as students are required to gain more experience in the field as a graduation requirement compared to other institutions. Dornsife has many opportunities to be engaged with the campus and community as well as having numerous community partnerships.
Research Interests: Infectious Disease, Maternal and Child Health, and Global Health
Favorite Place on Campus: The Collaboratory in Nesbitt Hall
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Landmark
Chelsi Defoe
Brooklyn, NY
MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health
About Chelsi
Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of the people. I couldn't attend the Accepted Students Day so I reached out to Phi and received a personal tour in return. The faculty and students that spoke to me were so down to earth and genuine. I immediately felt like I was supported here. I thought to myself that I wanted to be a part of a school that truly cares about its students and Dornsife embodied that. Also, I was sold by the on-campus Chick-fil-A!
Research Interests: I am interested in occupational health and hazard assessments. Right now, I am assisting Dr. Huynh with her project on developing an intervention program for nail salon workers. I hope to do a similar project for my ILE assessing the health hazards of food truck workers.
Favorite Place on Campus: Nesbitt Collaboratory
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Mike's Food Stop
Hope Dehnert
Hershey, PA
MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health
(minor in Global Health)
About Hope
Life at Dornsife: Life at Dornsife is great. Dornsife has afforded me many opportunities, one of the most important being the chance to practice Global Health. I had the opportunity to study abroad as a graduate student and live in Israel while attending Ben-Gurion University. The program also afforded me the ability to work in Global Health with Physicians for Human Rights- Israel for my practicum experience. I also serve on the Master of Public Health Admissions Committee as a student representative alongside several faculty members across different departments. It's important to network and seek out any opportunity you may have interest in, because the Dornsife faculty and staff can lead you to achieving your goals!
Practicum: Physicians for Human Rights - Tel Aviv, Israel
Favorite Place on Campus: Drexel Park, because it has the best view of the city! Bring a blanket!
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Happy Sunshine Lunch Truck, 33rd and Arch Streets
Sharon Dei-Tumi
Accra,Ghana
MPH, Epidemiology
About Sharon
Life at Dornsife: Great resources, amazing faculty and supportive staff.
Practicum: Data Management Analysis of the Impact of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programs in Health Facilities and Schools.
Favorite Place on Campus: GSA lounge
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Haamid's Halal - across from the recreational center.
Casey Gonzaga (Leech)
North Wales, PA
MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health
(minor in Infectious Disease and Prevention)
About Casey
Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of the vast opportunities that are present within the city of Philadelphia. You have to complete breadths monthly, and a depth over the summer, which can be in any area of interest to you. This has really helped me see public health from different perspectives, other than just EOH. I truly believe that this is what helped focus my interests.
Research Interests: Infectious Disease Outbreak Control / Surveillance; Opioid Epidemic Surveillance; Global Health
Favorite Place on Campus: In the winter, 6th floor Nesbitt. In the warmer months, the quad.
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Valanni restaurant in Center City, Tran's Food Truck
Kareena Hundal
Walnut Creek, CA
MPH, Epidemiology
(minor in Infectious Disease and Prevention)
About Kareena
Life at Dornsife: Dornsife is definitely way different than California, but I have really enjoyed the change of pace. The professors at Drexel are all helpful and available to ensure that you succeed both in class and professionally.
Practicum: Graduate Student Research Assistant at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Favorite Place on Campus: When the weather is nice out, I love to hang out around Lancaster Walk. There are always a lot of people going by and most of the time there are cute dogs that are running around.
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: The halal truck right outside of the gym. The guys that work there are always so nice and friendly and they joke around at how often I come by because I get food from there when I stay at Nesbitt late, so now we have become friends!
Areej Idris
Philadelphia, PA
MPH, Epidemiology
About Areej
Why I Chose Dornsife: The courses offered by the school and the location.
Research Interests: Pharmacoepidemiology
Favorite Place on Campus: Nesbitt Hall
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Chinese food truck
Thomas Jackson, MS
Stringer, Mississippi
MPH, Health Management and Policy
About Thomas
Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of the community-centered emphasis and the focus on practical experiences, along with the availability of concentrations, the 5-quarter program design, and the excellent job placement statistics.
Research Interests: Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy Advocacy, Evaluation, and Analysis
Favorite Place on Campus: Nesbitt Hall, 3rd floor
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Food trucks: tied between Kami and Halal Trucks. Restaurant: Nom Wah Philadelphia
Alexis Johnson
New York, NY
MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health
(minor in Infectious Disease and Prevention)
About Alexis
Life at Dornsife: Life at Dornsife is different every day. Can be very exciting going to different spotlights and learning about different research. It can also be very intense around midterms and finals. We are sort of like our own community and you can find support here with whatever you need.
Practicum: Dornsife Global Development Scholars
Favorite Place on Campus: Nesbitt Hall, 7th floor lounge
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Kami Korean Food Truck
Jannie Kim
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
MPH, Epidemiology
(minor in Program Monitoring and Evaluation)
About Jannie
Why I Chose Dornsife: I really liked how the practical experiences were incorporated with the academic curriculum.
Research Interests: Global health, maternal/child health, obesity, diabetes
Favorite Place on Campus: Tech Lounge on the Square
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Taqueria La Veracruzana
Melissa Matthews
Hoover, AL
MPH, Community Health and Prevention
(minor in Infectious Disease and Prevention)
About Melissa
Life at Dornsife: Life at Dornsife is always changing and fast paced, but the professors will work with you and your cohort is a reminder you are not alone.
Practicum: Patient Safety Authority
Favorite Place on Campus: Nesbitt Hall, 7th floor lounge
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Tran's Food Truck
Paola Maysonet
Wheeling, WV
MPH, Community Health and Prevention
(minor in Program Monitoring and Evaluation)
About Paola
Life at Dornsife: Hectic and fast-paced! Dornsife provides so many opportunies to strengthen your academic and professional skills and volunteer with in the community. I try not to miss out!
Practicum: Through funding from the Urban Health Collaborative, I am conducting research investigating Philadelphia's response towards Puerto Rican evacuees affected by Hurricanes Maria and Irma. I am currently interviewing organizations within the grassroot, non-profit, and city sectors who have helped the evacuees. Connections to these organizations are guided through the Philadelphia Prevention Partnership. I hope to analyze the organizations' successes and challenges and what further needs must be put in place to help this traumatized population.
Favorite Place on Campus: 7th floor of Nesbitt Hall - best place to simultaneously study and talk to peers!
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Freddy and Tony's Restaurant
Kelly McLaughlin
Selinsgrove, PA
MS, Epidemiology
(minor in Biostatistics)
About Kelly
Why I Chose Dornsife: Drexel, as well as the city of Philadelphia, provide incredible resources and mentors that help shape your professional career in public health from the very first day. I enjoy the opportunities to collaborate with professors in other departments, as well as other public health professionals here in the city.
Research Interests: My research interests include physical activity, injury and chronic disease prevention, and disease outbreaks.
Favorite Place on Campus: Starbucks
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Los Compadres food truck
Steeve Ndjila Ndohnwou
Douala, Cameroon
MPH, Epidemiology
About Steeve
Life at Dornsife: I chose the Dornsife SPH for it's particular emphasis on community-based interventions. The many fascinating projects run by students and staff lay a great platform for developing public health skills. I was definitely inspired by the many opportunities to get involved in rich and diverse experiences both nationally and internationally the school provides. I hold an active role as an Executive Board Member within the Dornsife SPH Student Government Organization (S.G.O). I equally currently work at the Urban Health Collaborative, where I am a research assistant to Gina Lovasi, PhD, MPH, with whom I work on Community-level development projects in Latin America.
Practicum: I went to Rwanda as a Dornsife Global Development Scholar to work with WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) efforts in informal communities.
Favorite Place on Campus: the LeBow College of Business, Lobby
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse
Elina Paul
Kinnelon, NJ
MPH, Health Management and Policy
About Elina
Life at Dornsife: I am currently an Office Assistant for Student Affairs and the Vice President of the Health Management and Policy Club. Dornsife School of Public Health has provided me with various networking opportunities, as well as learning experienes. The professors and staff are both encouraging and supportive to ensure you make the best out of your experience here and the resoures that Philadelphia offers.
Practicum: The Roberts Center for Pediatric Research at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
Favorite Place on Campus: Starbucks
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Spurrito Food Truck
Diksha Ramnani
Cypress, CA
MPH, Epidemiology
About Diksha
Life at Dornsife: Dornsife School of Public Health is very welcoming! There are multiple opportunities that students can take advantage of and contribute their own perspectives. The focus on collaboration is very evident in the classroom and the larger community. Involvement in school activities and beyond has been the highlight of my time here thus far.
Practicum: Clinical Research Study Coordinator at Drexel School of Medicine working on a hemodialysis study.
Favorite Place on Campus: The pool at the gym.
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Landmark
Haley Schupp
Reading, PA
MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health
About Haley
Life at Dornsife: I am the President of the Environmental and Occupational Health Club. I chose Drexel because of its integrated learning within Philadelphia through the Dornsife Center and the Urban Health Collaborative. I especially enjoy the rigorous coursework that makes me think outside of the box.
Practicum: The goal of the project is to find areas within the Kensington neighborhood that have potential for production of high levels of air toxicant. Once areas of potential pollution were identified, then I will collect air quality samples on site. This work is significant in determining pollution points in Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The goal of this project was to minimize pollution in the area and bring awareness to the population of the pollution dangers.
Favorite Place on Campus: Joe's Coffee
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Kami Korean Food Truck
Kendall Seigworth
Lancaster City, PA
MPH, Community Health and Prevention
About Kendall
Life at Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because there are so many research and practice opportunities for students on a local, national, and global scale. I have greatly enjoyed being able to pursue my varied interests in injury prevention and control, social and behavioral science research, and bioethics.
Practicum: I am a FIRE (Firefighter Injury Research and Safety Trends) Fellow at the FIRST (Fire Injury Research and Safety Trends) Center. I conduct research on the SAVER (Stress and Violence in fire-based EMS Responders) grant project. The goal of this mixed methods study is to identify predictors of stress and injury experienced by EMS responders. Also, by describing specific incidents of violence that EMS responders face while on the job, the FIRST Center team is promoting innovation in the field of occupational health and safety policy.
Favorite Place on Campus: Lancaster Walk
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Era Ethiopian Bar and Restaurant
Rachel Seitz
Monkton, MD
MPH, Health Management and Policy
About Rachel
Why I Chose Dornsife: The opportunity to participate in research and to promote health in all policies.
Research Interests: Policy affecting those with special health care needs.
Favorite Place on Campus: Dornsife
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Hummus Grill
Samantha Trainor
Voorhees, NJ
MPH, Health Management and Policy
About Samantha
Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because everyone I met immediately during an open house made me feel like this was where I should be, and I thought the program was one of the best out of other schools I applied to! When first starting the program, I was introduced to so many people who I have been able to network with and other students who I have become close with!
Research Interests: ACA and access to care/ Areas of PH: Hospital Management and Patient Safety
Favorite Place on Campus: 3rd floor of Nesbitt: HMP floor because I can speak with my peers and get my studying done
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Grilly Cheese (grilled cheese) food truck or Fuel on 32 and Chestnut
Alex Trautman
Hollywood, FL
MPH, Community Health and Prevention
About Alex
Why I Chose Dornsife: I love that Dornsife believes in and fights for Health as a Human Right. I also felt really welcomed here by the entire CHP department when I came to tour and I think Philadelphia provides a really unique place to study public health.
Research Interests: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Women's Health
Favorite Place on Campus: 4th floor of Nesbitt
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Brunch at Jones
Lauren Trumbull
Center Valley, PA
MPH, Community Health and Prevention
About Lauren
Why I Chose Dornsife: I choose Drexel because of the many partnerships the school has with organizations in Philadelphia and I believed the professors research interests matched my own.
Research Interests: Health disparities, violence, human trafficking
Favorite Place on Campus: Starbucks!
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Sabrina's Café
Danielle Uibel
Washington Township, NJ
MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health
About Danielle
Why I Chose Dornsife: Philadelphia has so much to offer and Dornsife takes advantage of the city and helps us gain so many opportunities!
Research Interests: Infectious Disease, Global Health, Medicine and Public Health, Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer
Favorite Place on Campus: Nesbitt 6th floor and the Starbucks in the LeBow Business Building
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: WaWa and Grilly Cheese
Revathi Varanasi
Plainsboro, NJ
MPH, Epidemiology
(minor in Health Economics)
About Revathi
Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because everyone in the school made it very clear that they were actively involved with helping each student achieve their goals. Also, Philly is an amazing city to live in!
Research Interests: Mental health and Substance Use
Favorite Place on Campus: Nesbitt Hall, 7th floor lounge - where I go to study between classes!
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: El Rey near 20th and Chestnut
Kenna Yadeta
Silver Spring, MD
MPH, Community Health and Prevention
About Kenna
Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of its location in the city of Philadelphia. Philadelphia has so much to offer and I couldn't wait to collaborate with the many partnerships Drexel had with the surrounding community.
Research Interests: Violence and Trauma, Maternal and Child Health,Women's Health, Substance Abuse, Health disparities, Health Equity, Social Justice
Favorite Place on Campus: Third floor kitchen....they have the best coffee :)
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: Jessie's Boys
Claudia Zumaeta Castillo
Lima, Peru
MPH, Community Health & Prevention
About Claudia
Why I Chose Dornsife: Because of its Community Engagement.
Research Interests: Infectious Diseases, Minorities & Underserved population
Favorite Place on Campus: The Recreational Center
Favorite Food Truck or Restaurant in Philadelphia: South Philly Barbacoa (Real Mexican Food, not TexMex)