BSPH Ambassadors
Rishi Aghera
Degree Program and Concentration: Nutrition (Science and Research)
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Fayetteville, NC
Previous Degree:
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I started off as a business major, but I decided to pursue public health at Gillings instead because of the tremendous opportunities it has in serving improve global health. I also loved the experiences Gillings offers beyond just coursework, like research labs and clubs!
Favorite thing about Gillings: I love the inclusivity and how accepting everyone is in Gillings
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I am left handed and I also have a twin brother who is also in Gillings
Fangxin Chen
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH Nutrition (science and research track)
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Beijing, China
Previous Degree: High School
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because its Nutrition department is a very strong department with diverse research topics. Gillings also has other departments such as biostatistics, epidemiology, and HPM so I have opportunities to interact with peers with different majors. I also love the living environment and lifestyle in Chapel Hill.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is taking NUTR 295 which allows me to work in a lab under Nutrition department. This experience deepens my knowledge, lets me find my research interest, and also gives me opportunities to meet like-minded people.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I love exploring new restaurants and cooking at home (Mediterranean Deli is my favorite restaurant!)
Eleanor Christianson
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH Nutrition Health and Society
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Wayzata, Minnesota
Previous Degree: NA
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose to pursue a BSPH degree in Nutrition at Gillings because I am passionate about addressing food-related health disparities and environmental issues. The Gillings curriculum allows me to discover and research how various systems impact each other and public health issues. As a student, I have the opportunity to research various nutrition topics and engage in policy advocacy. I have the privilege of working with some of the leading experts in my field who are actively making an impact on our world.
Favorite thing about Gillings: While this may sounds cliché, the people at Gillings are by far my favorite part. Each professor has such interesting life experiences and backgrounds which enrich our class lectures and allow for many opportunities for students. The Gillings community of students is a diverse and vibrant group that is always the source of joy and support.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I like to sail!
Rami Darawsheh
Degree Program and Concentration: Health Policy and Management BSPH/ Biology BA
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Greenville, North Carolina
Previous Degree: Biology (Still enrolled in major)
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose to pursue my degree at Gillings after seeing how structured the programs were and the opportunity to pursue a major incorporated with real-world applications. I valued the tight-knit community between Gillings students at all levels of education. Additionally, I valued the inclusivity at Gillings, and the mission to eliminate health inequities.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The passion that everyone has towards solving pertinent public health issues
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I am colorblind
Ellie Geiselhart
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH Nutrition Health and Society
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Greensboro, NC
Previous Degree: N/A
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because I knew that the overwhelming support and resources that I would be provided with would help me achieve my goals. Gillings wants to push students out of their comfort zones and challenge them in ways like never before. I knew that Gillings morphs students into world-class leaders in nearly any career related to medicine. Thus, the goals I had set for my self all seemed achievable through an education at Gillings which is why I picked this program.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is how the professors challenge students with new ways of thinking and provide their students with limitless resources and support.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I share a birthday with my twin sister and mom!
Tess Geiselhart
Degree Program and Concentration: Environmental Health Sciences
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Greensboro, North Carolina
Previous Degree:
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I initially chose Gillings because it offered the program Environmental Health Sciences which is the perfect balance between public health and science which was what I was looking for. But, I also chose Gillings due to the wide variety of resources and opportunities that are offered (research opportunities, different programs, etc.). The faculty members are also incredibly engaging and willing to help meet your goals which is a plus!
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the atmosphere and vibe in the Atrium!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I have a twin who is also a student and an ambassador at Gillings!
Keerthan Gill
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH Biostatistics
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Chapel Hill
Previous Degree: High School
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?I wanted to focus more on Biostatistics to specialize my interest in Statistics and Data Science. Gillings has a great Biostatistics Program and I thought it would help me gain a better understanding of the applications of statistics. Also, the Gillings school has several resources available to help students be successful.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The Faculty
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I like to play basketball.
Claire Hollowell
Degree Program and Concentration: HPM BSPH Program
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Charlotte
Previous Degree: Public Policy (Was a public policy major before joining HPM, now a minor)
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose to apply to Gillings because of the immense opportunities within the school and the cohort style learning. I saw how supported students were both in their classes, and in deciding a career path. I also wanted to be part of ongoing conversations regarding health, health equities and ways in which we can eliminate health disparities.
Favorite thing about Gillings:My favorite thing about Gillings is the relationships I have formed both within my cohort as well as with my professors and advisors. Prior to beginning my experience at Gillings, I had not experienced this type of community, particularly with active advisors. I enjoy being surrounded by people all passionate about the same thing, yet so diverse in their thinking and areas of interest.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to run and am training for a half marathon now!
Cloris Huan
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH Health Policy and Management
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Previous Degree:
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I am passionate about addressing health disparities, bioethics, global health, and utilizing an interdisciplinary approach to public health policy and research. Being a part of the Gillings School BSPH program in health policy and management grants me access to various resources, opportunities, and support to positively impact public health. In addition, Gillings helps students explore their interests and garner essential skills and experience to excel in the field of public health.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite part of Gillings is the cohort. It is motivating to be around passionate students with innovative ideas and a desire to improve public health. In addition, you will form meaningful friendships with people who encourage and support you throughout your public health journey.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: In my free time, I like to draw and play the guitar.
Yena Ismail
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH Health Policy and Management
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Dubai
Previous Degree: High school diploma
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because it not only suited my interests in public health, but it was such a welcoming environment. Everyone I spoke to before applying emphasized that they loved seeing passionate students and supporting them in achieving whatever goals they had, The caliber of educators at this school was also a contributing factor, as Gillings has such a diverse range of public health experts and leaders.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The community. From the undergraduates to the PhD students to faculty, everyone wants to help you succeed and is excited about the work you are doing. I always feel like I can approach anyone under the roof of Gillings and be received warmly.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I collect Vogue magazines!
Olivia Matthews
ogmatt@email.unc.edu
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH Environmental Health Sciences
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Charlotte, NC
Previous Degree: Neuroscience BS
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings to pursue my degree because I have always been interested in health studies. Throughout my time at UNC narrowing down my interests I found myself interested in how disease travels through water and how that water affects human health and the Environmental Health Science major had space for me to learn more. With UNC being such a big school I was looking for a smaller educational community and access to the professors and their mentorship.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the attention you get from advisors, professors, and mentors. They all want to get to know students personally and see us grow!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I spent my last summer living in rural Costa Rica studying environmental justice, agriculture, and water quality.
Mercy Neal
Degree Program and Concentration: Environmental Health Sciences BSPH
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Durham, NC
Previous Degree: N/A
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I transitioned from the Biology department at UNC to Gillings to pursue more solutions-focused, community oriented research. Gillings has consistently supported me in my introduction to the field, and the school’s unique access to resources has been deeply valuable to my work. I hope to continue to study at Gillings for my Master’s Degree, learning both technical and theoretical skills to aid in future and current research.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The community, and the way that students, faculty and staff treat each other with deep respect
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I lived in Fiji for 3 years in High School!
Shreena Patel
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH: Nutrition Science and Research
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Charlotte, NC
Previous Degree: Neuroscience
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? Gillings met my needs of expanding upon my interest in nutrition, passion for serving communities, and my analytical mindset. As a pre-dental student, Gillings covers all the prerequisites that are needed for Dental School and it also provides me with the opportunity to gain the foundational nutrition knowledge and the broader population health perspective that is vital for my career and catered to my personal interests. The action-based learning prevalent in Gillings’ classrooms that emphasizes collaboration, problem-solving, and engaging in real-world case studies alongside international students is the exact transferrable practice that is essential for me to solve problems regarding Public Health.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is how diverse each cohort is. Since our cohort is relatively small, it is not challenging to find people that you can relate to but also find people that have completely different experiences than you that you can learn from. Every student at Gillings has such a unique and diverse background.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself:My favorite ice cream is the Snow Monster from Andy’s and I have traveled to over 10 countries!
Shaista Sayeed
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH Health Policy and Management
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Concord
Previous Degree: Neuroscience (I am still majoring in this as well)
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?I chose to pursue Gillings because I wanted a more holistic understanding of what it means to be in healthcare. I believe Gillings offers students a unique perspective on how to be public health professionals from a variety of perspectives and employs a global perspective on real life events. As part of Gillings and the HPM program, I wanted to deepen my understanding of the health care system and emphasize the importation of understanding issues in public health at their root causes and not just as they come in through the hospital doors.
Favorite thing about Gillings:My favorite thing bout Gillings is the community that it has to offer and the family atmosphere that it welcomes you with.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I have lived in 5 countries and speak 4 languages!
Aditya Shetye
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH Nutrition – Science and Research
Graduation Year: May 2023
Hometown/City: Raleigh, NC
Previous Degree: N/a
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? The resources that public health school with a long history and diverse range of researchers was what made me decide to pursue my undergraduate degree at Gillings. The coursework at Gillings has provided me with the foundations and academic skills to develop a better understanding of the science behind public health and nutrition and offer immersive opportunities to delve into the field. With the B.S.P.H. in Nutrition having a dedicated focus on research, it was evident that this program would equip me with the tools to achieve my career goals as a public health researcher. The past two years have been an unforgettable experience and has opened the doors to making lasting friendships with fellow students and finding invaluable guidance and mentorship among the faculty.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The sense of community has been the highlight of my Gillings experience. Especially in school as large as Carolina, it is welcoming to have a group of students and faculty that are there to support and help you during your time at UNC.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, and fishing and I recently started rock climbing.
Remi Short
Degree Program and Concentration: Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Management
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Greensboro, NC
Previous Degree:
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because I love the emphasis on community that Gillings has, especially within my HPM cohort. The professors and advisors here truly care about and want to get to know each and every one of their students. The diverse perspectives and collaborative dynamic of my Gillings classes enriches my learning and makes me excited to come to class and participate.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the cohort aspect of my HPM major because I love being able to get to know my peers on a deeper level.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself:I love running and I am currently training for a half marathon.
Aditya Tripathi
Degree Program and Concentration: BSPH – Nutrition Science and Research
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Huntersville, North Carolina
Previous Degree: N/A
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings to pursue my degree because I felt it would allow me to pursue my eventual medical goals in a very efficient way, although also allow me to learn and understand more about a topic I am very interested in, which is nutrition, exercise, and how to keep my body healthy. I got very invested in the gym and my body around two years ago, constantly watching my caloric intake and nutritious diet. From then on, I have been heavily invested in nutrition in the body, watching videos and taking any opportunity to learn more about the subject. Moreover, the nutrition coursework also flows exactly into the pre-medical track. Therefore, I found Gillings to be a perfect fit for me.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the the small cohort for each individual undergraduate major. I feel as if this allows me to better communicate and develop a relationship with my professors; something I was unable to do in my classes prior to Gillings. This has allowed for a more collaborative setting where I feel as I am put in the right position to succeed.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: One fun fact about myself is that I am trilingual: English, Gujarati, and Hindi.
MPH Ambassadors
Jillian Barthelemy
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH in Applied Epidemiology
Graduation Year: May 2023
Hometown/City: Dallas, Texas
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a Minor in Sociology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?I chose Gillings to pursue my degree because it is an outstanding program that has been part of many monumental public health achievements. The Gillings network extends throughout North Carolina, the United States, and globally. I was very drawn to the opportunity to collaborate with Gillings public health experts and work along side my peers who would become leaders in making a difference.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is how welcoming the students, faculty, and community partners have been! There are a plethora of opportunities to explore your interests within public health.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I have a “pandemic puppy” who is now 2.5 years old! She is the sweetest dog!
Emily Benson
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH – Global Health Concentration
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Cary, NC
Previous Degree: BS in Public Health
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose to pursue my MPH degree at UNC Gillings because of the amazing faculty and resources that Gillings offers as well as the incredible location. UNC Gillings has many world-renowned faculty who all are doing fantastic work in the field of public health, both locally and globally. Additionally, UNC Gillings is situated right by Research Triangle Park, which is home to several public health organizations that have many great connections with the school. Finally, I also chose Gillings for the global health concentration program as there are many great classes and opportunities offered within the program.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the positive learning environment. All of the faculty here genuinely care about their students’ mental and physical health and are truly dedicated to ensuring that their students fully understand the concepts they are teaching and are ready to apply them in the field.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I love going on hikes and doing macrame crafts!
Cheyanne Bierly
Degree Program and Concentration:MPH/RD
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Swansboro, NC
Previous Degree: BSPH
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because I knew it would prepare me to achieve all my professional goals. There are endless opportunities available at this school. I was drawn towards Gillings because of how supportive the community and the faculty is.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The people!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a black belt in martial art.
Beryl Bortey
Degree Program and Concentration: Health Policy MPH
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Charlotte, North Carolina
Previous Degree: BSPH in Health Policy & Management from UNC-Chapel Hill
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?Community is not an empty buzzword at Gillings; it’s an embodied reality. I really appreciated the robust camaraderie in my undergraduate HPM cohort at Gillings, and I wanted to continue that tradition with my grad school experience.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The culture of collaboration and emphasis on equity are unparalleled.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m an avid reader and a fan of musicals!
Aaron Carpenter
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH Health Policy and Management
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Chapel Hill
Previous Degree: Cellular/Molecular Biology and Psychology w/ minors in Public Health, General Business, and Gerontology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?As a North Carolina native from a rural area, I chose the Gillings School of Public Health to study Health Policy and Management because of the school’s deep connection to health interventions and programs across the state. Given the work that Gillings does across the state and the multitude of experiences held by the faculty of my department, I knew that attending Gillings would help me build my network and my ability to translate complex policies into action towards progress in furthering health equity in North Carolina. In addition to UNC’s impact across the state, the school is well-regarded, well-funded, and well established within the public health ecosystem (and within the ACC). Throughout my time in the Gillings School of Public Health, I have learned a tremendous amount about health systems and systems-level interventions, the social determinants of health, and the impact of the built social and physical environments, as well as built friendships and connections that I am sure will endure for years to come.
Favorite thing about Gillings:My favorite thing about Gillings are the relationships that I’ve built both with my fellow classmates and faculty.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I founded and led The Hiking Club at Appalachian State University #thcappstate
Morgan Farrand
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH in Applied Epidemiology
Graduation Year: May 2024
Hometown/City: Lafayette, Indiana
Previous Degree: Bachelors of Science in Genetics
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? When doing research about MPH programs, I kept comparing each one to Gillings. Additionally, everyone I talked to about Chapel Hill had glowing reviews.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite things about Gillings are the people. I’ve met some incredible peers and have access to supportive faculty who want me to succeed.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I love going to concerts! My most recent concert was 5SOS this past summer.
Festus Folawe Adejumo
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH/Applied Epidemiology
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Nigeria
Previous Degree: MD
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because it is the one of the top public health institution in the country and the close interaction between students and faculty at the school. I found the Gillings community to be very welcoming and supportive, which is what I value in an educational environment. Additionally, as one of the top research institution, there were many opportunities to conduct cutting-edge research.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The people!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to volleyball but not so good at it!
Olivia Glaser
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH, Health Behavior
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Los Angeles
Previous Degree: Environmental Studies
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because I wanted to attend a program that I knew would provide me with skills, resources, and community. I also was looking for a school with a robust alumni network and the ability to partake in a practicum experience. Additionally, I chose Gillings because I was excited about attending an established MPH program within a large university, where I knew I would be able to find community and like-minded friends.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the welcoming, non-competitive environment and encourage professors.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I am loosely related to Timothée Chalamet (by marriage)
Lily Goldberg
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH Health Behavior
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Columbus, OH
Previous Degree: Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because of the community. It is a very non-competitive and supportive environment, which to me, matched what public health is about. There are also many opportunities to get involved here both socially and academically that made for a wide-variety of opportunities I could partake in to further narrow down my interests.
Favorite thing about Gillings:My favorite thing about Gillings are the people here and the friends that I have made. Everyone I have met is so personable, open-minded, and empathetic.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself:My favorite candy is the Trader Joe’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups
Zoe Henderson
Degree Program and Concentration: Maternal Child and Family Health
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Albuquerque
Previous Degree: BS in psychology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I choose Gillings because it is the only public health school with a maternal child health concentration, the people I met seemed to love it here, and North Carolina looked like a great place to live!
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is my MCH cohort!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a tri-citizen!
Shaun Jones
Degree Program and Concentration: Applied Epidemiology
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Fayetteville, NC
Previous Degree:Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology, Minor in Biology, Duke University ’17
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings for a couple of reasons. First, I was amazed by the network of Gillings alumni that I had met in my previous work in the field. Also, I am from North Carolina and I loved the way impact that Gillings has in all 100 counties of this state working to combat health disparities.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the collaborative spirit. Professors and other students are always willing to provide help and insight into their unique experiences and perspectives.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: A fun fact is that I cut a part in my hair in the first grade and 22 years later it still hasn’t fully grown back.
Taylor Jones
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH- Maternal, Child, and Family Health
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Fayetteville, NC
Previous Degree: Health Science and Psychology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?Gillings is truly unique among other top-ranked public health schools. The faculty is incredibly engaged with the students, and are always sharing research or job opportunities, as well as updating students on public health issues in the news. I also chose Gillings because of how effortlessly this program examines both local and global public health issues.
Favorite thing about Gillings: I adore the community and friendships I’ve developed. Gillings puts an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and social events.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I love reading (like everything), my current goal is to obtain enough books to be considered a “library” (it’s 1,000).
Stephanie Lola
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH Global Health
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Rutherfordton, NC
Previous Degree: B.S. Microbiology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because they are at the forefront of public health issues. The ideas of global and local interconnectivity appealed to me, and I felt like Gillings was a place where I could explore my passions and interests from an interdisciplinary perspective. I also really love the Triangle area and the wealth of activities.
Favorite thing about Gillings:My favorite thing about Gillings is the community of people and the breadth of conversations that are had on a daily basis.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I just completed my first half-marathon!
Iman Love
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH-Maternal and Child Health
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Westchester, IL
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (with a concentration in Health Diversity)
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? Gillings was my top choice, but I never thought I would get in. I really wanted to move far away from home and I knew that I specifically wanted to concentrate in maternal and child health. Gillings met those requirements and their reputation made choosing this school pretty easy. I also connected with a current student that had graduated from my alma mater during the admitted student info sessions and it made me feel good knowing there was at least one person that I could relate to while I’m here.
Favorite thing about Gillings: I love the people here! Whether it be the faculty within my department or my peers that I have come to know very well in my first semester, everyone is here to support each other.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I love baking! I can bake just about anything, but I’m known for my pound cakes back home.
Stephanie Martin
Degree Program and Concentration: PharmD/MPH Dual Degree with a Concentration in Applied Epidemiology
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Kernersville, NC
Previous Degree: BS in Biology and Psychology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose to pursue my MPH at Gillings becuase it is a leading institution in terms of innovation and research. Additionally, it promotes an environment of collaboration and interprofessional growth. I have had the opportunity to collaborate from students from every health profession during my time at Gillings, which has made me a more well-rounded public health professional. Ultimately, the collaborative and innovative environment has pushed me to grow as an individual student and professional in more ways than I ever thought.
Favorite thing about Gillings: I love the team atmosphere. Every single class I have been in has been team-based, which is reflective of how we will be working in the field. I love that Gillings pushes us to collaborate with others because this promotes innovation and allows us to develop our skills as communicators and grow as effective team members.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I have two dogs that keep me busy outside of school!
Jennie Norka
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH Nutrition
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Homer Glen, IL
Previous Degree: BS Food Science
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I knew Gillings would offer an excellent education because of the world renowned faculty and staff and acclaimed MPH program. I also liked how the MPH program encourages cross-cohort collaboration and that the concentrations are smaller so you can get to know everyone!
Favorite thing about Gillings: I love how supportive, accessible, and understanding all of the faculty have been throughout my program!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I have an almost 5 year old sourdough starter!
Sabrina Rousselot
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH, Maternal and Child Health
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Morgan Hill, CA
Previous Degree: International Studies/Global Health
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings for its remarkable reputation in the larger public health community. Likewise, the ability to access faculty and research programs that have amazing impacts on public health issues both globally and domestically. It is a great place to delve into and grow one’s public health passions and interests.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The Community!! Gillings offers a great environment of collaboration and inclusion that I have felt very fortunate to be apart of during my time here so far.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I got very into hiking and backpacking during quarantine and actually climbed Half Dome in California last year (during a not so great wildfire season!!)
Elizabeth Shin
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH Nutrition
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Cary, NC
Previous Degree: Bachelors of Science in Food Science from NC State University
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?I’ve always had a passion for food and after completing my undergraduate degree in food science, I knew that I wanted to adjust my career path from focusing on just food to focusing on the impact food has on human health. Knowing that food science and nutrition are two communities that are somewhat polarized, I intend to pursue my career goal of becoming an expert at combining food and medicine to create enjoyable, healthy, affordable, and available food systems targeted to an individual’s or a groups’ needs.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The people and community 🙂
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I am part of UNC’s TaeKwonDo Club
Rachel Sielaty
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH Maternal, Child and Family Health
Graduation Year: May 2024
Hometown/City: RALEIGH
Previous Degree: B.S. Biological Sciences with minors in Chemistry and Spanish
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?UNC was my dream school for undergrad and when that didn’t work out I didn’t think I would ever go. The summer before my senior year of undergrad, I completed an internship and discovered I wanted to further my education with a Masters of Public Health. When I started looking into schools, UNC was a clear choice with the #1 public school for public health. It’s local, has connections with the healthcare system and countless opportunities for networking and collaborating within Gillings and UNC as a whole. I’ve loved everything about attending Gillings/UNC so far and can’t wait for this journey to continue.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The community and opportunities. I’ve loved making friends within the core classes and within the concentration. The professors genuinely want us to succeed and are there to support us.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I love my two dogs Juno and Toby and I work at the UNC Blood Research Center
Morgan Speer
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH, Health Behavior
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Los Angeles, CA
Previous Degree: Anthropology B.A.
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because in talking with current students, faculty, and staff, Gillings felt most like home and where I could ground myself in a like-minded community. I felt like the opportunities available to me at Gillings, alongside the dynamic curriculum would allow me to best learn the information needed to grow and excel in my public health career. More importantly, coming from the West Coast, eager to explore a new environment and ways of doing, Gillings, Chapel Hill, and North Carolina encompassed each of those things that I had hoped for upon going to graduate school.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The people! The way the core curriculum is designed allows all first-year students to interact with others across concentrations, so when walking around campus (the Atrium especially!), or in Chapel Hill or Carrboro, you’re bound to bump into a familiar face! To me, that’s one of the best feelings – an abundance of camaraderie and support.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I live a zero-waste lifestyle! 🙂
Sarah Sutter
Degree Program and Concentration: Master in Public Health – Health Behavior
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Little Rock, AR
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Science
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I always thought I had way too many interests to ever decide on one career path, but that was before I found public health — an area where I could integrate my diverse passions for education, design, community-led development and sustainability, as health is at the intersection of them all. With this in mind, I chose Gillings because of the innovative and integrative approaches to igniting sustainable change in North Carolina and around the world. There were so many great MPH institutions to choose from, but I knew when I found the Gillings School of Global Public Health, community and collaborative action were at the forefront. Gillings is a family where we can all capitalize on our diverse passions and empower others to use their voice as an act for change! Together, we shape the world into a more equitable, sustainable place for everyone!
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the focus on community. The collaborative and supportive environment is what makes Gillings so special! You will meet so many people across various disciplines where we are all working together towards the same goal: facilitating sustainable and equitable change on a local and global level!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I LOVE plants! I have honestly lost count as to how many plants are in my house right now!!!
Emma Swarts
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH Applied Epidemiology
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Clayton, NC
Previous Degree: Public Health
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? The emphasis on global is local is prevalent here in the Gillings community. This program creates an interdisciplinary environment that ensures collaboration and cooperation among students and faculty. I chose Gillings to pursue my degree because I wanted to become a better student, public health professional, and epidemiologist.
Favorite thing about Gillings: If there is something you are passionate about, there is a course, an organization, a faculty member conducting research, or another student also passionate. Opportunity awaits!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I have a golden retriever puppy, Elton. He is my world!
Mili Tamayo
Degree Program and Concentration: Master in Public Health – Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration
Graduation Year: May, 2023
Hometown/City: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?I chose Gillings because it has the best master’s in public health nutrition programs. Faculty members, especially within the nutrition department, are world-renowned for their research and commitment to helping students become the best of the best. Gillings has many project opportunities for students that are currently making real-world impacts in different communities across the world. I like real-world learning experiences, and the school encourages and allows students to do their practicum both locally and globally while making global partnerships.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the social events, where you always meet new people, either students or faculty members, from all backgrounds/concentrations.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I used to go by Camila (my middle name) in high school because I liked it better, and whenever I now have a gathering with family and friends, people get a little confused about whether they are talking about the same person.
WenXin Tang
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH NUTR-RD
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Chapel Hill
Previous Degree: BS Nutrition and Dietetics & BS Nutrition and Medical Sciences
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?Gillings has one of the most excellent MPH programs in the country. It is an inclusive place. And the MPH-RD program is also one of the leading programs.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The various places it has for students to study!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m an international student from China!
Mark Veazie
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH – Health Policy
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Sugar Land, TX
Previous Degree: Doctorate of Dental Surgery (University of California, Los Angeles)
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?As a clinician, I’m very aware of the upstream issues that affect the ability of our patient to access and afford healthcare. Gillings is world recognized for training and having experts in many public health fields. I chose to attend Gillings to learn from these experts, so I can use the knowledge to best support my patients. It is my hope to eventually be part of a healthcare policy team, in order to have the most widespread change to our system.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The faculty and students are all incredible!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: Love attending theater and broadway plays.
Jeffrey Wang
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH – Leadership In Practice
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: East Meadow
Previous Degree: BA- Biology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings to pursue my degree because it is a nationally ranked institution for public health, that has a curriculum that truly focuses on health equity and combating systemic racism.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings, are the people. Both the staff and my peers are a pleasure to learn from.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a huge foodie, and love exploring new places to eat!
Gloria Whitfield
Degree Program and Concentration: MPH Nutrition/RD
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Fairfax Virginia
Previous Degree:Cellular Molecular and Physiological Biology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? Gillings offers resources and opportunities that I didn’t think I would get at other schools .I thought Gillings would help me achieve my goals and career aspirations. I also liked the location of UNC and the surrounding area.
Favorite thing about Gillings: I like the fact that I know people in different concentrations and have opportunities for collaboration.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I ride horses!
Graduate Student Ambassadors
Jacob Alan Barnes
Degree Program and Concentration: MBA/ MHA
Graduation Year: 2014
Hometown/City: Suffolk, Virginia
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Science, Health Services Administration
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? Gillings is a home of world class professors who are well invested in the academic success of their students. The culture at Gillings is very welcoming to every student of any background, allowing excellence and professionalism. The Alumni support is unparalleled.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The extent to which I receive guidance and support from faculty, students and administration. Giilings focuses on skills that are immediately transferable to the job market allowing success at the job place.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I was in the Navy, but I was never on the sea.
Kelsey Boyd
Degree Program and Concentration: Health Policy and Management
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Enfield, NC
Previous Degree: BSPH
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? Knowing that the Gillings School values inclusivity and collaboration in all settings, I know I will have the skill set to contribute to these values in and outside the classroom. I will be far beyond prepared to engage and contribute in on the ground social innovation and policy work within rural communities. Gillings will give me the inimitable experience when it comes to real-world public health knowledge and skills. With an education and degree from the Gillings School of Global Public Health, I will be able to further my goal of better healthcare systems for not only my rural community, but rural communities globally.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the family-like environment. I have been able to form long-lasting relationships with professors and cohort peers.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I have been skydiving!
Hannah Blumenfeld
Degree Program and Concentration: Master of Healthcare Administration (Department of Health Policy and Management)
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Columbus, Ohio
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Sciences in Public Health from The Ohio State University
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because of the collaborative culture. The faculty involvement and alumni relations were unparalleled. When choosing an MHA program, I wanted to be in a strong school of public health. Gillings offered me a place where I could build my skills as a healthcare administrator while still pursuing my interests in population health and community engagement.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The community. I love being able to walk around the building and meet students and faculty from different concentrations. There’s so many student organizations and a place for everyone to get involved.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: In my free time, I love doing yoga, hanging with my dog, and trying new places to eat.
Avery Brau
Degree Program and Concentration: MHA
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Stafford, VA
Previous Degree: Biology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I wanted to live on the east coast again after being in Texas for 7 years. UNC has a deeply connected alumni network. Chapel Hill is a great place to live with different things to do.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The building seems confusing at first, but is pretty straight forward.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I drove 32 hours in two days to get back for the MHA orientation after I finished my internship in Utah.
Caroline Brennan
Degree Program and Concentration: Master of Healthcare Administration (Department of Health Policy and Management)
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown/City: Austin, Texas
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from the University of South Carolina
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings to pursue my degree because I knew I would walk into a program of hardworking, driven, and passionate individuals supported by intelligent and enthusiastic faculty. I was drawn towards Gillings because of the comprehensive curriculum it offered. As a Master of Healthcare Administration student, I appreciated that the MHA degree program’s curriculum emphasized social determinants of health, health law, and health equity in addition to the traditional finance based courses that are required of the degree program – that is hard to find elsewhere. Finally, with the Gillings name comes a positive reputation and a vast network of distinguished UNC alumni and connections ready to help you as you embark on your career.
Favorite thing about Gillings:My favorite thing about Gillings is the camaraderie shared between those in my cohort. We all support each other through challenges and share in the joy of our peers’ successes.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I have never broken a bone!
Noemi Gavino-Lopez
Degree Program and Concentration: Master of Science (MS)
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Burlington
Previous Degree: Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) in Environmental Health Sciences
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose to attend Gillings for my undergraduate and graduate degrees due to the numerous research opportunities under the mentorship of renowned scientists. The academic and professional development opportunities offered by Gillings are truly invaluable! Moreover, as a first-generation Latinx student, Gillings was the right fit for me because of the inclusive environment and supportive community created by faculty, staff, and students.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the sense of community!
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I don’t like coffee!
Poojan Karnik
Degree Program and Concentration: MHA
Graduation Year: May 2023
Hometown/City: Georgetown, SC
Previous Degree: Molecular and Cell Biology
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I choose Gillings because it was the best Public Public Health school and one of the best MHA programs in the nation. Gillings also has the best job placement success, where almost all graduates were likely to get a job post graduation. Also, the Gillings staff during my interview were exception in making me well wanted, welcomed, and included. An added bonus in choosing Gillings was that it is close enough to home where I can drive there and comeback over a weekend.
Favorite thing about Gillings: I love how friendly everyone is here. The staff, faculty, students, and other employees in the building really uplift the place.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I love everything Earthy, but I don’t love camping. Earthy colors, Earth signs, nature – YES! Camping in nature – nope
Thanh Tran
Degree Program and Concentration: Master of Science in Nutrition
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown/City: Winston-Salem
Previous Degree: BSPH
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? My interest in preventative healthcare and desire for an interdisciplinary academic experience led me to Gillings where I could study nutrition and gain research experience. I saw that the courses offered by the nutrition major aligned with my curiosity and would adequately prepare me for graduate education. I couldn’t be happier with where I ended up.
Favorite thing about Gillings: The faculty and staff are supper welcoming, supportive and proactive in helping you find answers and resources.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a homebody who loves spending time at home, cooking with friends and family, especially when its cold out.
PhD Ambassadors
Katherine Gora Combs
Degree Program and Concentration: PhD in Epidemiology
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown/City: Cary, NC
Previous Degree: MPH – Health Behavior (UNC Gillings School); BSPH – Biostatistics (UNC Gillings School)
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? As a two-time Gillings alumna, I have seen firsthand the school’s steadfast dedication to its mission to improve public health, promote individual well-being, and eliminate health inequities across North Carolina and around the world. I was particularly drawn to the Epidemiology program at UNC because of its faculty and opportunities for collaboration. The Department’s shared mentorship model, in addition to its strong collaboration with the Injury Prevention Research Center, makes it the optimal place to study injury epidemiology. In addition, the opportunity for growth in research methods through outward-facing and practice-engaged work is unparalleled.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite aspect about the Gillings School is its people. From the undergraduate students to the tenured faculty, everyone shares the same passion: to improve public health and eliminate health inequities. This shared passion results in incredible interdisciplinary research and practice which translates into real-world solutions for many of the world’s leading health problems.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself: I double-majored in music performance as an undergrad!
Arjun Keshava
Degree Program and Concentration: PhD Environmental Science and Engineering
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown/City: Cary, North Carolina
Previous Degree: B.S. Biology (UNC-CH) MPH Environmental Health Solutions (UNC-CH)
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because of the teachers, support system and world class education. Furthermore, being an instate student it is close to home. I have grown to love Gillings over my past 5 years doing my undergraduate and previous graduate studies. I am very excited for what is to come these next few years.
Favorite thing about Gillings: I love that the teachers are so well versed in the topics they teach and they understand that life happens and support in any way they can.
Name One Fun Fact About Yourself:I am a certified rescue scuba diver
