Sahar Abuouf
Khartoum, Sudan
MPH, Epidemiology

About Sahar

Why I Chose Dornsife: Vibrant community, diverse culture and interests, expert faculty, and hands on experience opportunities

Research Interests: Equity in Healthcare, Child and Maternal Health, Preventive and Community Medicine

Varun Awasthi
Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, India
MPH, Epidemiology

About Varun

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife SPH because of its commitment to health equity. At Dornsife, students participate in a variety of practical learning experiences that help them develop their public health skills. These experiences can help students clarify their career path. Also, as one of the top ranked public health institute in the US with an urban setting, Drexel brings strong and diversified local connection.

Research Interests: Cancer research, Health Economic Outcomes Research, Real World Evidence

Marissa Bacon
Philadelphia, PA
MPH, Epidemiology (online program)

About Marissa

Why I Chose Dornsife: Of the many MPH programs I considered, Drexel was the only program that I felt would allow me to tailor my degree experience exactly how I wanted. Other programs were often too general, but at Drexel I have the opportunity to concentrate my degree in epidemiology while still taking classes that interest me and will help shape my development. Although I am an online student, I still feel connected to the Drexel community and have several opportunities to visit and interact with those on campus.

Research Interests: Social Determinants of Health, Health Literacy, Data Analysis and Research Methods

Triny Efanga
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
MPH, Health Management and Policy

About Triny

Why I Chose Dornsife: Dornsife offers a strong program in the areas of public health I am interested in. Adding to that the diversity and variety of opportunities it offers, I just had to go here.

Research Interests: Health Policies, Global health & Urban health

Grace Frasso
Cinnaminson, NJ
MPH, Epidemiology (minor in Infectious Disease and Population Health)

About Grace

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of its reputation and the strong community feeling. Drexes program allows me to take classes that I find interesting as well as will help shape my public health career alongside my Epidemiology focused classes. I was also drawn to Drexel's Applied Practical Experience and Integrated Learning Experience. These opportunities will allow me to work outside of the classroom and gain unique skills through interactions within a community.

Research Interests: Infectious disease, Epidemiology, Vector-borne diseases

Julie Gauthier
St. Louis, MO
MPH, Community Health and Prevention (minor in Infectious Disease and Population Health)

About Julie

Why I Chose Dornsife: I picked Drexel because of the unique ability to craft and personalize my MPH through their graduate minors. Drexel also has connections to organizations in Philadelphia, the United States, and around the world! I know my Drexel education will help me develop the skills and knowledge I need for my future career.

Research Interests: Health Communication, Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, Substance Use, Sexual and Reproductive Health

Leah Gill
Philadelphia, PA
MPH, Health Management and Policy

About Leah

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of the welcoming environment and my passion for sharing my journey with prospective students who share a passion for public health.

Research Interests: Immigrant Health, Cardiovascular Health, Healthcare Management

Lexi Haws
West Chester, PA
MPH, Epidemiology (minor in Infectious Disease and Population Health)

About Lexi

Why I Chose Dornsife: I fell in love with Drexel's MPH program because I felt like it would allow me to tailor my degree experience exactly how I wanted. Adding a graduate minor gives me the opportunity to concentrate on my degree in epidemiology while still taking classes that interest me and will help shape my development. Additionally, Drexel is recognized as a R1 institution, and Dornsife has a wide variety of research and work when it comes to public health.

Research Interests: Legal Epidemiology, Health Policy, Health Disparities, Spatial Analysis and GIS, and Infectious Disease

Leslie Howze
Pittsburgh, PA
MPH, Urban Health (minor in Public Health Emergency Preparedness)

About Leslie

Why I Chose Dornsife:I chose Dornsife because of the variety of concentrated public health programs. Dornsife offers Urban Health, which aligns with my undergraduate degree. With a background in Public Administration, Emergency Medical Services, community planning, and community risk reduction, I am dedicated to achieving fair health outcomes. Drexel’s online program is perfectly designed to equip me with the skills necessary to address complex, large-scale health challenges while maintaining a full-time career in the public health field.

Research Interests: Maternal Child Health, Black Maternal and Infant Mortality, Emergency Preparedness, HPV

Aminata Kone
Philadelphia, PA
MPH, Health Management and Policy

About Aminata

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Drexel University's Master of Public Health (MPH) program because it offers the ideal environment for me to pursue my passion for addressing healthcare disparities and advocating for marginalized communities. My personal experiences with the inequities and systemic challenges within healthcare systems, particularly the disparities in access and quality of care have fueled my desire to explore how healthcare systems and public health intersect, both domestically and globally. These experiences have made me acutely aware of the profound impact that healthcare policies and practices can have on vulnerable populations, motivating me to seek a comprehensive understanding of these issues. Drexel's MPH program in Health Management and Policy aligns perfectly with my goal of gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to address these challenges and drive meaningful change.

Research Interests: Health Management, Health Policies, Global Health, Chronic Disease Prevention

Nadège Mudenge
Newark, DE
MPH, Epidemiology

About Nadège

Why I Chose Dornsife: I completed my undergraduate degree at Drexel, where I had the opportunity to engage with students from the Dornsife School of Public Health who shared their positive experiences with me. Additionally, I worked with various colleagues in the hospital who guided me through their research journeys, enriching my understanding of the field.

Research Interests: Immigrant, Refugees Health; Maternal and Child Health; Infectious Disease

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.

Sally Nyarko
Ghana
MPH, Community Health and Prevention

About Sally

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of its strong focus on health equity and its commitment to addressing public health issues in urban settings like Philadelphia. With my major in Community Health and Prevention, I'm excited by the school's emphasis on real-world, community-based solutions and its leadership in research on prevention strategies. This aligns perfectly with my passion for promoting health and preventing disease in underserved communities.

Research Interests: Maternal and Child Health

Chizoba Okorie
Nigeria
MPH, Epidemiology

About Chizoba

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife School of Public Health because of its transformative approach to public health education and its commitment to addressing real-world health challenges. I was drawn to Dornsife's emphasis on practical, evidence-based solutions to public health issues and its reputation for fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages both academic growth and professional development. The program's dedicated focus on addressing health disparities through innovative research and community engagement makes it stand out among public health programs. What particularly resonates with me is Dornsife's commitment to conducting research that drives meaningful policy change and promotes health equity across diverse communities. The program's emphasis on translating academic knowledge into actionable solutions makes it an ideal environment for contributing to impactful research while pursuing my academic and professional aspirations in public health.

Research Interests: Trauma, Social and Immigration Epidemiology, Mental Health, Drug and Substance Use, Global Health, Health Care Access and Policy

Colebe Oliver
Glenside, PA
MPH, Health Management and Policy

About Colebe

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife for the diverse community, the immersive learning, and the incredible faculty.

Research Interests: Maternal Healthcare, Black Mental Health

Renytzabelle Ortega-Cotto
Orlando, FL
MPH, Epidemiology

About Reny

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife for its supportive and collaborative environment, built by peers, professors, and mentors. Located in Philadelphia, Dornsife offers opportunities for practical learning and fieldwork in a diverse, real-world setting.

Research Interests: Health Disparities, Immigrant Health, Community Engaged Research

Daniel Palma
Sayville, NY
MPH, Epidemiology

About Daniel

Why I Chose Dornsife: Community, variety of faculty interests, and the focus in infectious disease

Research Interests: Infectious Disease

Shriya Prasannan
Portland, OR
MPH, Health Management and Policy

About Shriya

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health because of its strong focus on health equity and social justice. Dornsife's mission to reduce health disparities aligns with my passion for creating equitable healthcare systems, particularly for underserved communities. As a Health Management and Policy major pursuing a certificate in Maternal and Child Health, I was drawn to the school’s hands-on approach that blends academic rigor with practical experience. Dornsife's emphasis on real-world problem-solving and interdisciplinary collaboration prepares me to address the complexities of public health. The opportunities for professional growth, including internships, research, and leadership roles like serving as an ambassador, make Dornsife the perfect place to develop my skills.

Research Interests: Maternal and Child Health, Cancer, Chronic Disease, Women's Health, Primary Care & Preventative Health

Disha Shah
New York, NY
MS, Biostatistics

About Disha

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose the Dornsife School of Public Health because it offers a program that aligns with my interests, with the benefits of small class sizes. Additionally, because there is more personalized attention and opportunities to build meaningful connections with faculty, fostering a more engaging and supportive learning environment.

Research Interests: Mental Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Immigrant Health, Health Disparities

Mati Tadzong
Randallstown, MD
MPH, Epidemiology

About Mati

Why I Chose Dornsife: I choose Dornsife School of Public Health as it fosters an environment of growth not just within the classroom but throughout experiential learning, challenges students to push themselves to achieve more and do more.

Research Interests: Health Disparities, Maternal and Child Health, Global and International Health, Public Health Ethics and Qualitative Research

Catherine Turner
Framingham, MA
MPH, Community Health and Prevention

About Catherine

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose Dornsife because of their commitment to social justice as a core aspect of Public Health. I wanted to pursue my MPH at a program that fosters diversity and encourages learning from others' lived experiences, whether this be from a professor or a fellow classmate. Something I also appreciated about Dornsife when looking at other MPH programs was the opportunity to do a graduate minor along with my full program, which is an incredibly unique opportunity, and I will personally be pursuing during my time here. Overall, I have loved Philadelphia for years and I am so excited to be continuing my education in an incredible city that is truly like nowhere else.

Research Interests: Maternal and Child Health, Immigration, Health Communication, LGBTQ Health, and Mental Health

Filza Zuberi
Karachi, Pakistan
MPH, Epidemiology

About Filza

Why I Chose Dornsife: I chose the Dornsife School of Public Health because of its commitment to health as a human right and its focus on addressing systemic inequities through research, policy, and community engagement. As someone passionate about public health, particularly in underserved communities, Dornsife's mission resonates deeply with my personal and professional aspirations. Dornsife's diverse faculty and emphasis on experiential learning were key factors in my decision. The school's integration of real-world public health challenges into its curriculum allows students to engage directly with the communities they serve. This aligns with my goal of contributing to public health efforts not only in Pakistan but also globally, where I can make a meaningful impact in maternal and child health (MCH) equity and social determinants of health. As the only student from Pakistan under this program, I believe my unique background can contribute to the school's diversity and enrich class discussions. I aim to bring perspectives on the health challenges faced by developing nations, such as limited access to healthcare and the importance of community-based interventions. Dornsife's commitment to equity, especially through its focus on Philadelphia's public health needs, provides a model for how I hope to tackle health disparities in my home country. Moreover, the opportunity to work closely with world-class researchers and engage in interdisciplinary work in public health solidified my decision to choose Dornsife. It provides a strong platform to develop the skills I need to be a leader in public health, not only for Pakistan but in global health initiatives as well.

Research Interests: Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Behavioural Health and Prevention, Maternal and Child Health