Why did you choose BU School of Public Health?

“With a vast array of public health job and research opportunities, pursuing a degree in public health in Boston was very attractive. Reaching out to faculty members and students in multiple departments at BUSPH gave me good insight into the welcoming and collaborative environment across the School of Public Health. The faculty were all eager to speak with a prospective student, and it was clear that, not only would I be supported in my academics, but I would also be able to gain valuable practical experience working alongside researchers with diverse and interesting backgrounds.”

What made the MS in Population Health Research program standout?

“There are few programs that provide a specific focus on the intersection of climate and health, so I was excited to see this new MS in conjunction with the new Climate and Health Program. I was particularly excited about the MS in Population Health Research here at BUSPH because of the required mentored research component and focus on analytical research skills. Because I plan to pursue a PhD, it was important for me to find a rigorous program that would provide a solid and practical foundation in the specific area of research that I am hoping to pursue during a PhD and beyond.”

Why public health?

“I have always been interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field in some capacity. I studied climate science as an undergraduate and during my undergraduate thesis research I happened upon the field of environmental epidemiology or climate change epidemiology, more specifically. I was excited to learn about a field of research that sits perfectly at the nexus of my two passions. Today, climate change is one of the biggest threats to public health and the idea of being able to solve some of the challenges associated with this multifaceted relationship through research is what drives my motivation to pursue a career in public health.”

How have the faculty helped make your experience exceptional?

“The faculty at BUSPH were a key reason as to why I chose to come to Boston. Already, in the two months that I have been in this program, I have received excellent mentorship from passionate and devoted faculty who have provided me with research opportunities, practical experiences in climate and health, and have helped pave a path for me to succeed in a research career. In particular, Dr. Greg Wellenius, with whom I work closely as a member of his research group, has gone above and beyond to create a great environment for learning and innovation.”