University of Pennsylvania Masters of Public Health

At CHOP, I enjoy seeing the real world impact of our work. We are providing services and evaluating programs in hospital and community settings that allow us to identify solutions in real time and give them back to the community. Being an injury and violence prevention researcher, my goal is to reduce the burden of injury for young people and their families. In general, children are healthy, so the things that bring them to the hospital are often injury related. Thinking about ways we can reduce the likelihood that injuries happen and support recovery so that children and their families can go back to living healthy lives more quickly, is my goal.

I recently became the Associate Director for the Center of Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP. The Center provides a research home for a broad range of injury prevention research, ranging from motor vehicle safety to concussion to violence prevention. I hope to be able to lift up the work of our Center and identify ways to translate the research evidence we generate into action. This work feels like the epitome of public health research and practice – taking what we do in the research setting, expanding it into community practice and informing policy efforts.

We have amazing students in the MPH Program who are extremely passionate about what they’re learning. I feel fortunate to really see this through Capstones, whether as a mentor or Capstone teacher. What continues to elevate our program is the commitment to encouraging students to find projects and foster connections aligning with the topics they are passionate about, allowing them to take that into their next steps of learning and future careers. In my mentor role to students, I always ask “What are the skills you want to learn through your Capstone project?” I believe the Capstone process is such a wonderful time for students to think about the skills they want to grow, the competencies they want to practice, or the topics they want to learn more about. This learning and growth process is really a time for students to build their confidence as a future public health professional.

One piece of advice I would give prospective and current students would be to think about the Capstone and fieldwork opportunities as ways to explore new things or ways to refine the skills they have already begun to develop. One of the strengths of our program is how flexible and adaptable those learning opportunities are and the ability to align these with students’ own goals.

Earlier in my career, a piece of advice I wish I had received and had known is that there is no one right way to have a career and sometimes connecting the dots takes time and a lot of persistence. I did not go right into grad school from college, instead working for several years first. I really believe it makes you a different type of learner. Being open to opportunities when they come along and willing to try new things is such an important way to learn and identify your passions and interests, especially when those opportunities present new challenges, as you never know what growth will happen there.

Sisters in Public Health in my viewpoint is a community for women that work in public health that started in Houston, TX. It’s for sisterhood and mentorship. Becoming a Lifetime Member of this organization means having a sisterhood to share space with women that are like minded. Growing up and going through undergrad I didn’t have spaces where others shared interests with me. Being in this organization makes me feel like I belong, and I can be in a space with women where I feel understood.

My public health focus is nutrition. In college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and a friend led me to public health. My focus in the field then became nutrition. In the next year, or sometime in the future, I would like to be involved with ongoing nutrition projects, more so focused on nutrition & policy. I want to be involved in healthy food access and food policy work. In my current position as Fieldwork Coordinator, it is community engagement adjacent, but I really would like an ongoing project. There’s a huge network in the Sisters in Public Health organization, and I believe working closely with the Philadelphia chapter can help me reach goals I have in public health. I plan to lean on the networking and professional development of it all. That’s what I like best about being a member, the networking and opportunity to build friendships.

If people are interested in getting involved with Sisters in Public Health, they should definitely check out their website and LinkedIn. There’s different areas to be involved in, take a look to see what resonates with you!

I currently teach Methods of Public Health Practice, lead the Foundation of Global Health 5190 204 section, and serve as the course director for Penn Social Society and the Community. My journey in public health began in 2014, and I’m passionate about incorporating real-life experiences into my teaching. This approach enables me to reflect on my work and identify improvement areas. Additionally, I derive great satisfaction from mentoring students. One of my favorite moments is when students have those “aha moments” in class!

Looking ahead, I aspire to teach Public Health Management and Leadership, aiming to breathe new life into the course. Additionally, with my background in global health research, I’m eager to offer an Ethics and Global Health course. The course would bridge the gap between research in public health and practical work in a global context.

A unique aspect of my research is its focus on radiology in a public health context. I’m dedicated to making screening and imaging more accessible, especially in low-income countries like Nigeria, where functional machines are scarce. Currently, I’m working on a literature review to assess the extent of research in Africa related to oncology care. I plan to use this information to apply for grants and conduct studies that can lead to long-term policy changes and funding opportunities. I oversee research efforts as the Research Program Manager at the Center for Global and Population Health Research in Radiology.

As an alum of this program, being a faculty member is surreal. I wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told me during my first year that I would be teaching! I want students to understand the importance of sowing seeds for their future. During my student years, I built a strong foundation, sought mentors, and cultivated relationships, ultimately nurturing my teaching abilities. I’ve transformed from a nervous first-semester student to someone who now teaches classes. As an instructor, I’m excited to address public health issues I wished were tackled as a student. My teaching philosophy involves empowering the next generation to critically examine ways to break systems of oppression and build toward a truly equitable world.

I teach Methods of Public Health Practice, emphasizing soft skills because interpersonal skills and relationships are crucial in public health. I’ve realized that practicing soft skills is essential within the classroom, especially during group projects. These experiences help students understand the dynamics of working in groups and the importance of these skills. Networking is not limited to those at the top; it involves connecting with peers who will go on to do remarkable things. I advise students to maximize their time in the program, prioritize their goals, and represent themselves professionally. Your investment in this program will determine what you gain from it. Finally, if I could suggest improvements to the program, I would advocate for more diversity among faculty and guest speakers who share their practical public health experiences. It’s inspiring for students to see someone who reflects their background as a teacher, which motivates me to continue doing what I do.