BSPH and MPH Ambassadors
Ellie Duwel
Ellie Duwel
Program: Health Policy and Management, BSPH
Graduation year: 2025
Hometown/City and State: Dayton, OH
Any clubs or organizations you belong to: Phi Sigma Pi, IHI Student Chapter at UNC
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings because of the supportive students and faculty, targeted mentorship, and rigorous curriculum. I was intrigued by their hands-on approach and emphasis on internships and research opportunities, which will allow me to apply the skills and knowledge I gain from my HPM program.
Favorite thing about Gillings: Everyone is so friendly and eager to get to know you and your interests!
A fun fact about you: I am trying to visit every National Park.
Bryn Haden
Bryn Haden
Program: MPH- Applied Epidemiology
Graduation year: 2025
Hometown/City and State: Katy, TX
Previous degree (if applicable): Health and Exercise Science and Public Health (dual major)
Any clubs or organizations you belong to: N/a unless you count me also working for Campus Recreation
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?: As corny as it sounds, it felt right here. When I was walking around campus, it felt like home to me. Combining that feeling with the academic challenge Gillings provides made it a done deal for me.
Favorite thing about Gillings: All of the natural light in the atrium.
A fun fact about you: I played college soccer before attending Gillings for my graduate degree.
Rucha Kapshikar
Rucha Kapshikar
Program: Health Policy and Management, BSPH
Graduation year: 2025
Hometown/City and State: Apex, NC
Any clubs or organizations you belong to: Public Health 360, Carolina Ukulele Ensemble
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree: Growing up in NC, UNC has always been my dream school especially because of the public health school.
Favorite thing about Gillings: I love the close-knit feel!
A fun fact about you: I’m left-handed
Simone Khandpekar
Simone Khandepekar
Program: Nutrition BSPH Science and Research, Chemistry and Health and Society minors
Graduation year: 2025
Hometown/City and State – Fremont, CA
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree: As a CNA/Med Tech at a long-term care facility, I saw how impactful nutrition is in the lifestyle of the elderly. I became more interested in nutrition as it also aligned with my research lab’s focus on microbiome and stomach-related inflammation. Gillings’ Nutrition Science and Research program offered courses to further my interest in research and biochemistry while fulfilling prerequisites for medical school and giving me a foundation in public health. Gillings emphasizes collaboration and knowledge of real-life scenarios which are applicable in any field that one chooses to be a part of.
Favorite thing about Gillings: Gillings is very student-oriented and is always offering something for the students whether it is career opportunities or wellness and support. The professors, mentors, and advisors are so passionate about Gillings, and Gillings is a tight-knit community.
A fun fact about you – I did ballet for 10 years and love dancing.
Hannah Oh Min-Young
Program: Nutrition Science and Research (BSPH)
Graduation year: 2025
Hometown/City and State: Chapel Hill, NC
Any clubs or organizations you belong to: SHAC, FEMMES, Nutrition Coalition, Hursting Lab, Nguyen Lab
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree: I’ve always been passionate about research, so the Nutrition Science and Research track at Gillings was the perfect opportunity to learn the complexity and interdisciplinary relationship between nutrition and health at a top tier research institution. Additionally, the professors, graduate students, and staff at Gillings are always happy to take the extra step in providing resources and making new connections so that you can advance your career. The structure of the Nutrition program and the supportive environment at Gillings solidified my decision to pursue my degree at Gillings.
Favorite thing about Gillings: Studying on the second floor and watching the sunset and the sky change colors through the huge floor to ceiling windows.
A fun fact about you: I have a pet turtle named Boogie Woogie!
Laura Page
Laura Page
Program: MPH, Maternal, Child, and Family Health
Graduation year: 2025
Hometown: Fernandina Beach, FL
Previous degree: B.S. Health and Exercise Science
Clubs and organizations: Carolina BEBES
Why did I choose Gillings? I chose Gillings because it has the resources of larger research university while still feeling like a tightknit, homey community. My cohort is small, allowing me (and even our professors!) to know everyone’s names and feel a sense of belonging. At the same time, Gillings is the home of groundbreaking research and faculty that are renowned leaders in their fields. It also has an entire department devoted to maternal and child health!
Favorite thing about Gillings: I love the community at Gillings! It truly feels like your peers, faculty, and staff not only want to support you on your academic journey, but they also care about you and your well-being.
Fun fact: My favorite hobby is making mosaics!
Shubhangi Patel
Program: Biostatistics BSPH Program
Graduating Year: 2025
Hometown City/State: Apex, North Carolina
Any clubs/organizations that you belong to: UNC American Mock World Health Organization, UNC HOSA Future Health Professionals
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree?– As a student hoping to attend medical school after graduation, studying Biostatistics at Gillings served as the perfect nexus for me to combine my love for math and science with public health to develop a nuanced undergraduate education.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is its diverse opportunities for involvement- regardless of your concentration, there are numerous interesting events for everyone!
Fun Fact: I love reading any dystopian/science fiction/fantasy novels- favorites are Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, Lunar Chronicles, The Inheritance Games, etc.!
Shaista Sayeed
Program: MHA
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown/City: Concord, NC
Previous Degree: B.S. Neuroscience
Clubs and Organizations: American Mock World Health Organization, Institute for Healthcare Improvement Chapel Hill Chapter, Minority Student Caucus, and TEDxUNC.
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? I chose Gillings to pursue my degree because I knew that this was a place where I could find a village full of support. Coming in, I wanted to explore healthcare and understand the nuances that go into such a complex field that is fueled by open discussions between multidisciplinary fields and diverse perspectives. I knew that Gillings was a place where I would be able to find like-minded people that understand the importance of improving health care from multi-dimensional perspectives. The passion that Gillings students exude for creating a more equitable, accessible, and cost-effective healthcare system highlights the importance Gillings gives in conveying the importance of such topics to its students. For me, these insights and the community of support I would be gaining from my cohort and my faculty advisors was what ultimately made me choose Gillings.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the purposeful passion and unwavering support that each member offers you in your journey as a person and as a student. Not only does everyone want you to succeed during your time at Gillings, but they also want you to be successful and find what you truly love during your time after Gillings as well. To me, it is a place where you can forge life-long connections with people who reciprocate the level of passion that you have for the public health field.
Fun Fact: I have lived in five different countries, and I collect hats (from places I visit).
Olivia Ste. Marie
Olivia Ste. Marie
Program: BSPH Health Policy and Management
Graduation year: 2025
Hometown/City and State: Guilford, CT
Previous degree (if applicable): I am still an Economics BA major. I am also minoring in Medical Anthropology.
Any clubs or organizations you belong to: Refugee Community Partnership, Public Health 360, Carolina Health Samaritan Society, Women in Economics
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree: I started as a pre-med student, but soon realized that I was more interested in the broad systems and structures that shape the way that individuals receive healthcare. As a student who was also interested in Business and Economics, as well as Medical Anthropology, I decided that Health Policy and Management would be a great way to combine my interests. I also was very excited to join the Gillings community and be connected with faculty mentors and professors with wide ranges of research interests.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is the mentorship that students receive from faculty members. Before being a student at Gillings, I was unsure of my path after my undergraduate years and was in need of direction. However, at Gillings, I feel extremely supported by faculty, and now have close connections with my professors and advisors who continue to guide me.
A fun fact about you: I was born in London, England!
Alexandra White
Alexandra White
Program: MPH – Nutrition
Graduation year: 2025
Hometown/City and State: Greensboro, NC
Previous degree (if applicable): BS in Biology from Kenyon College
Any clubs or organizations you belong to: Women’s Swimming and Diving
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree: I chose to come to Gillings for their outreach programs and the work they do with many local communities.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My classmates and friends I’ve made!
A fun fact about you: I’m an only child
Casen Whitehead
Casen Whitehead
Program: Environmental Health Sciences, B.S.P.H.
Graduation year: 2025
Hometown/City and State: Holly Springs, NC
Any clubs or organizations you belong to: Honors Carolina, Buckley Public Service Scholars, Undergraduate Volunteer at UNC Hospitals, Peer Guide for Health Professions Advising, BA@UNC Peer Accessibility Coach, Member of Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology.
Why did you choose Gillings to pursue your degree? In high school, my passion for public health started to develop. After taking AP Environmental Science and AP Biology, I found that I had a passion for how the environment may influence human and population health. I wanted to find a program that would highlight this newfound passion through research opportunities, immersive classes, and faculty that were just as, if not more, passionate as me. When I got accepted into UNC-Chapel Hill, I also got accepted into the Assured Enrollment program for the Environmental Health Sciences degree at Gillings. During my first two years as a student, I researched more about the program, connected with faculty in the department, and took some intro public health classes. Once I was a junior, I knew I was in the correct space to strengthen my interests and passions within the field of public health.
Favorite thing about Gillings: My favorite thing about Gillings is how diverse the students and faculty are. Coming from a mostly white suburban hometown, I was not that exposed to different cultures and lifestyles. One of the main reasons I chose to attend UNC-Chapel Hill was to meet people from all aspects of life. When I came to UNC-Chapel Hill, and started taking classes at Gillings, I found a vibrant community where students and faculty from diverse backgrounds contribute their unique perspectives to positively impacting the environmental health and public health field. The inclusive and collaborative environment at Gillings has not only enriched my academic experience but has also equipped me with the tools to address health disparities and to promote health equity within the public health field.
A fun fact about you: I consider myself to be an adrenaline-junkie! For example, I have been skydiving before, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
PhD Ambassadors
Katherine Gora Combs
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
