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Halimat Olaniyan was among the first students in Michigan Public Health’s undergraduate program. Now finishing her medical residency in pathology, she credits her public health education with shaping her worldview and career path toward transfusion medicine, health equity, and preventing illness rather than just treating disease.
When Joshua Foster-Tucker’s wife suggested he apply to Michigan Public Health instead of attending medical school, neither could have predicted it would launch a passion for understanding infectious diseases. Now pursuing his PhD at Michigan Public Health, he studies respiratory viruses, including how they could accelerate immune system aging—research that could transform our understanding of health longevity. His journey, shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, personal challenges and mentorship illustrates how meaningful career paths can emerge from unplanned moments of redirection.
When Anand Parekh, BA, MPH ’02, MD, was selected as the University of Michigan School of Public Health’s inaugural chief health policy officer, it wasn't just a new job—it was a homecoming that represented the culmination of a remarkable career dedicated to transforming public health.
An internship at a local health department further crystallized Laura Arboleda-Merino's interests in public health. She was no longer just interested in treating individual patients, but in understanding and addressing systemic health challenges. Her academic journey led her to the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The transition wasn’t just about academic advancement but about finding a community that resonated with her interdisciplinary approach.
Eesha Acharya earned a dual degree in degree in Community and Global Public Health and in Economics as well as a minor in Public Policy from the University of Michigan to form a unique approach to solving complex global challenges. She was named the Student Leader of the Year at the Public Health Honors event in the spring, and her involvement with the Global Health Alliance was a cornerstone of her college experience at Michigan Public Health.
With a focus on nutritional epidemiology, Farhia Mohamed aims to prevent diseases and promote health through research, education and policy. She served as the Nutritional Sciences chair in the Public Health Student Assembly Senate for the 2024-2025 academic year, highlighting her leadership and commitment to her field.