Students

Kate O'Brien

'Ready to do her part' in shaping a future with environmental health policy

Kate O’Brien, MPH ’24

The decision to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Michigan School of Public Health was not a straightforward choice for Kate O’Brien, MPH ’24. She will graduate in May with a Master of Public Health degree in Environmental Health Promotion and Policy, which perfectly captures her interests in environmental health, health behavior and health policy.

Lala Sri Fadilla

Fulbright Scholar takes aim at sustainable food systems in Indonesia

Lala Fadila, MPH ’24

Lala Sri Fadila, MPH ’24, grew up on the Indonesian island of Bangka in an environment where quality education opportunities were unevenly distributed. Now, she will graduate in May from the University of Michigan School of Public Health with a Master of Public Health in Nutritional Sciences.

Christopher Floyd

Internship in Kenya enriches Global Health Epidemiology personal journey

Christopher Floyd, BS ’21, MPH ’24

An eight-month internship in Kenya proved pivotal for Christopher Floyd, BS ’21, MPH ’24, offering practical exposure to global health issues and cultural immersion, further enriching his academic perspectives in public health. Floyd will graduate in May with a Master of Public Health degree in Global Health Epidemiology from Michigan Public Health.

Soumik Purkayastha

Finding inspiration at the intersection of public health and data science

Soumik Purkayastha, MS ’21, PhD ’24

A native of India, Soumik Purkayastha, MS ’21, PhD ’24, first made a connection with the University of Michigan School of Public Health in 2005 when he was in fourth grade. Now, Purkayastha will graduate in May with a PhD in Biostatistics from the Department of Biostatistics at Michigan Public Health. After graduation, Purkayastha will join the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant professor in the fall.

Andrea Kennedy

Public health chooses undergraduate student as a means to change

Andrea Kennedy, BS ’24

Andrea Kennedy, BS ’24, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Sciences from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. After graduation, she will move to Chicago to work at Pathstone Partners, a management consulting firm that works with healthcare organizations to improve financial and operational performance without compromising the quality of patient care.

Matthew Hernandez

Staying grounded: Building public health skills for local impact

Matthew Hernandez, MPH ’24

Matthew Hernandez, MPH ’24, became interested in learning about the foundations of public health with the goal of being able to contribute to public health research. Through the online MPH program in Population and Health Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, he said he’s gained the necessary skills to achieve those research goals.