BSPH in Environmental Health Sciences Ambassadors

Below are the current student ambassadors for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program in Environmental Health Sciences. These students are happy to answer questions you may have about the application process, the program, or student life in the Gillings School of Global Public Health.

2024 -2025 Ambassadors

Vivian Campbell

Hello! My name is Vivian Campbell and I am from Asheville, NC. In addition to pursuing the Environmental Health Sciences major, I am minoring in Data Science. My interests within EHS pertain to Air Quality issues, and I am researching the radiative properties of organics in atmospheric aerosols from Sahelian wildfire smoke. I also plan to pursue the accelerated MS program in the ESE Department, so please feel free to reach out with any questions about the process!

The Gillings community has truly become like a second home for me and I hope to continue to foster such a warm, welcoming, environment through my work as the Environmental Sciences and Engineering Student Organization (ENVRSO) co-president this year.

Outside of Gillings, I am an executive member of SPAG (Science Policy Advocacy Group) and an active member of the Marathon Club (I promise to not talk your ear off about running a marathon).

I always love to chat, so please feel free to reach out to me at my email: vcampbell@unc.edu

Margot Francini

Hi! My name is Margot Francini, and I am a senior double majoring in Environmental Health Sciences and Public Policy with a minor in Portuguese. I am passionate about mitigating pollution issues, and as such, have dedicated much of my time at Carolina to interdisciplinary work surrounding PFAS contamination in our air and waterways. At Gillings, I work in Dr. Turpin’s lab on a project aiming to characterize indoor air concentrations of ionic PFAS. I also conduct PFAS policy research with the NC Collaboratory. In the future, I want to work at the nexus between science and policy either in the non-profit sector or government. After completing the BSPH, I want pursue an MPH through the ESE department, and later hope to go to law school.

I’ve always known that I want to go into environmental policy, but through the ESE BSPH program, have learned the importance of centering people and public health in efforts to protect the environment. If you have questions about how to tie in outside academic interests into the BSPH or are interested in getting involved in environmental policy opportunities, please reach out! Outside of Gillings, I am the Co-director of Environmental Affairs for UNC’s Undergraduate Student Government, play the fiddle in the Carolina Bluegrass Band, and am Treasurer of UNC’s Italian Club.

Feel free to reach out to me at my email: mfrancini@unc.edu

Avery Matthews

Hi! I am Avery Matthews, and I am a rising senior in EHS! I discovered our wonderful major through the ECUIPP Lab my freshman year, and knew that I had to apply. Since then, I’ve continued research with the ECUIPP Lab and recently accepted an internship with the Health Effects Institute for the summer, mapping air quality hazards in Mebane, NC. I am passionate about environmental justice and community engagement, and enjoy studying both air and water quality. Outside of academics, I am the president of the UNC Equestrian Club, and like to spend as much time with animals as possible. I can’t stand to be inside all day, I can often be found hiking or at a garden center.

I plan to stay in our department an additional year for my M.S., so if you have questions about the accelerated degree programs here, or research related to environmental justice, I am happy to talk! I’m always happy to grab coffee and chat about life as an EHS major! Glad to have you in the department:)

Feel free to reach out to me at my email: amatthews@unc.edu

Joshua Singleton

Hi everyone! My name is Josh Singleton and I’m a senior studying Environmental Health Science at Gillings. I came into UNC as a Chemistry Major, but quickly realized I wanted to apply my STEM skills to real people and their health. With a longstanding passion for the environment and the outdoors, I applied to study EHS. I’ve had the opportunity to do research in the department with Dr. Orlando Coronell who broadly studies membranes as they pertain to clean water and energy. I would be happy to discuss getting involved with research at Gillings or help connect you with a professor you’re interested in working with!

Throughout my time at UNC and in Gillings, I’ve routinely changed my mind about what I’m interested in and what I want to do going forward. I am a firm believer in exploring your passions in college, and would love to hear about your ideas or worries regarding your path. Our department is full of faculty and students spanning a wide range of interests, so don’t hesitate to follow what drives you.

I look forward to meeting and chatting with you all, feel free to reach out to me at josh_singleton@unc.edu.