2024 Fall semester is off to a great start with new graduate students gathering for orientation, connecting across diverse specialties and backgrounds, hearing from inspiring faculty, getting involved in a lively resource fair and, of course, enjoying ice cream!
We took a minute to get to know a few of our incoming students, who shared inspiring stories of how they came to be here at the School of Public Health, what shaped their motivations and how they hope to apply their learning and connections to communities beyond the classroom.
LUCIANA MARINHO, 43, BRAZIL
MPH, Health Equity
“I was born deaf, and my parents struggled with how to manage this. I spent many years learning to lip-read – while other children played, I went to the doctors to learn. My parents asked me to hide my deafness because they were worried that others would think I wasn’t smart. For many years, I kept it hidden.
Despite this, I graduated and became a dentist in Brazil. However, I always felt something was missing. When I moved to America and took English classes, I found it difficult to understand people through lip-reading, especially with the different accents. My advisor suggested I learn American Sign Language. So I took a class and I fell in love with it. I then began to have deaf friends and embrace my deaf identity.
Deaf people want to show those unfamiliar with deafness that we are capable of achieving everything we want. So I applied for this master's degree because I love deafness, and I love health and equity. I want to improve policies not only for the deaf community but for everyone.”
YONGCHAN LEE, SOUTH KOREA
PhD, Health Services Research
“The Health Services Research program at UMD aligns perfectly with my research interests, particularly in addressing gaps between social determinants of health and health access and outcomes. This has been a big passion of mine growing up.
I’m originally from Korea but have spent a significant portion of my life in the U.S., as early as ninth grade. During this time, I had the opportunity to volunteer in rural areas of China, where I observed some differences in healthcare access and treatment. I saw cataract patients struggling to receive timely treatment due to transport and financial barriers.
Having seen these disparities, I wanted to engage in healthcare research and advocacy to address these needs. After completing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in healthcare, I realized that engaging in research and advocating for impactful policies is a passion of mine that I am committed to pursuing long-term.”
BUKOLA OMENA-OKPOWE, NIGERIA
MPH, Environmental Health Science
“During my search for graduate programs online, I found that the University of Maryland stood out for its inclusiveness and the specific course offerings in environmental health science. Other universities did not offer this specific course, which is crucial for my career goals.
I hold a master’s degree in environmental microbiology and another in public health. Despite these qualifications, I felt there were gaps in my knowledge, particularly in areas like risk assessment and hazard evaluation. My previous studies provided a theoretical foundation, but I sought a program that offered practical, hands-on experience.
The program at UMD SPH aligns with my ambition to work with organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, WHO, or FDA. This program provides the applied knowledge and research opportunities I need to bridge the gap and advance in the health sector.”
ABBY POLLOCK, 26, MD, USA
PhD, Behavioral and Community Health
“I’ve been passionate about research for a long time. After graduating with my undergraduate degree in 2019, I began working as a research assistant and then progressed to roles such as research coordinator and program manager. My interest in mental health developed from personal struggles and family issues, which motivated me to focus on this field. I want to address mental health on a population level rather than just individually, aiming to develop and evaluate programs that can have a broad impact.
Pursuing a master’s degree was a stepping stone towards my goal of earning a PhD, which I see as essential for achieving my research objectives. When selecting a program, I preferred to stay local, and Maryland was a strong choice. The faculty here closely matched my research interests, and after working with them over the summer, I found that the program was an excellent fit for me.”
KATIE ROBERTS, 22, MD, USA
MPH, Health Equity
“I was born three months early and spent three months in the NICU. My mother encountered significant challenges with the medical care team, including a lack of responsiveness to her concerns and treatment needs, which required her to advocate for herself extensively. Her experience highlighted the substantial disparities in maternal care that millions of people face.
So I’m driven to understand the underlying reasons for these issues, whether they stem from policy implementation or other factors. My goal is to work with clinical staff to educate them on the importance of prioritizing patients and ensuring they receive the comprehensive care they deserve.
“I’m most excited about meeting new people and discovering what I am passionate about while connecting with others who share the same mission. I look forward to collaborating with individuals dedicated to promoting health and well-being and ensuring that resources are equitably distributed for everyone.”
GABRIEL DOGBANYA, 42, NIGERIA
PhD, Maternal and Child Health
“I’m a trained medical doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. Over the years, I’ve conducted community work focused on maternal and child health. My experience includes working with international organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières at emergency obstetrics centers and managing numerous field projects in Nigeria.
"I’m deeply motivated to improve the lives of women, children, and neglected minority communities. I hold a master’s degree in public health from Nigeria, and pursuing a PhD at UMD will enable me to take a significant step forward in making a meaningful impact in my community.
“I’ve just had the opportunity to meet and interview some of the faculty in the program. I’m so excited to be here and work with them.”
ELLA SANVEE, 23, TOGO/GHANA, MD USA
MPH, Health Equity
“I’m from West Africa and I believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right. Every individual, especially children, should have access to the most basic healthcare services. I’m committed to giving back to my community and improving health equity. In addition to being passionate, understanding the logistics is essential for effectively bridging these gaps. There are many moving parts and components involved, and I aim to apply this knowledge to various aspects of my life and work.”
GERRY ANDHIKAPUTRA, 27, INDONESIA
PhD, Epidemiology
“I come from a different background, an environmental engineering background, which is quite far from epidemiology. But during my master’s year, I studied environmental health and I realized the challenges facing public health sector in Indonesia. This realization motivated me to pursue a degree in public health, with the goal of returning to Indonesia to help contribute to the public health system.
“I am most excited to build connections. Networking is important and also I feel the US has cutting-edge research so I think I will be in good hands here.”
SWATI RAMNATH, 38, INDIA
PhD, Behavioral and Community Health
“I completed a master’s in psychology with a focus on mental health. My research centered on digital health and mental health equity. Coming from India, where there is significant stigma surrounding mental health and challenges with health communication and behavior, I wanted to explore how technology could address these issues.
“When I learned about the health equity-focused work at UMD and the faculty members dedicated to this field, I was very interested. I also liked UMD's closeness to Baltimore, with its numerous government and health-focused organizations.
“I’m passionate about learning, especially when it comes to new subjects. While I know I might face challenges with some topics, I hope my experience as a graduate student will help me navigate those difficulties. I recently met my fellow PhD students, and it was great connecting with them. I’m also looking forward to networking with both past graduates and current students who are nearing completion of their studies.”
ESOHE OWIE, 21, NIGERIA, MD USA
MPH, Health Equity
"In high school, I was interested in pursuing a career in medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took a sociology class and learned about health disparities. That's when I started thinking about other ways to impact health outcomes beyond just the doctor's office. This led me to UMD as a public health science major. Last summer, I interned at the Maryland Center for Health Equity and saw how many factors impact health equity. When considering what concentration to pursue for my master’s, health equity felt like the right choice for me.
"I'm excited for the classes. In the first year, I'll be taking general courses such as epidemiology and statistics. But I’m really excited for the electives, as they will allow me the opportunity to branch out and take classes with different programs, especially within the School of Architecture. I’m very interested in the intersection of community planning and health and I want to delve deeper into that niche during graduate school. Additionally, I’m eager to get involved with the University of Maryland College Park community and experience the transition from undergraduate to graduate school."