Whether junior public health science major Aditi Gubba is learning about child development, brainstorming big plans to improve mental health outcomes for college students through xFoundry, or creating graphic design in the SPH Office Communications, she’s always making creative connections.
The newly named Karabelle Pizzigati fellow talked with Sumaya Abdel-Motagaly about her goals for the fellowship and why she feels health systems should be created with child health as their foundation. The Pizzigati fellowship is a partnership between UMD’s School of Public Policy and School of Public Health and recognizes notable students in the field of children’s advocacy.
Why did you apply for the fellowship?
During my experience as an EMT in the College Park Fire Department, I was able to see the struggles that a lot of families face, whether that's financial barriers to care, unsafe home environments or a lack of access to basic health resources. That really changed my outlook on life and what I want to do.
I wanted to be part of something that addresses the root causes of those changes or those challenges, and I thought that policy would be a great way to do that.
I took a Family Science class last semester with Professor Amy Lewin and loved it. I learned that the foundation of early childhood development is so impactful for kids’ entire life, and I wanted to be part of that effort. I wanted to work with kids, and I wanted to make a difference. And I'm just really excited, because this is my first ever exposure to policy whatsoever, so definitely outside of my comfort zone. But I'm excited to learn and see where this takes me.
What do you hope to gain from the fellowship experience?
I want to deepen my understanding of how policy and advocacy efforts work. I want to expand my perspective on child health issues, see how I can be an effective advocate and just feel confident in my skills and ability to advocate for children. Kids should get to enjoy their childhood, and I feel like we need to take care of their future for them. I hope to make some sort of meaningful change in at least one child's health and well-being.
Why is children's advocacy important to you?
Children don't really get the choice to grow up in the environment they want but those environments shape so much of their future health and well being. Every child deserves to have a safe, healthy and happy start in life. We know that early childhood experiences are going to impact future success. Advocating for better policies, programs or resources for children to break those cycles of inequity that enable every child or community to thrive is critical. Public health isn't just about addressing immediate health concerns. It's also about creating systems that would support lifelong well-being, and I feel that children are the foundation of that.
How are you involved in xFoundry? What do you hope to accomplish with this program?
I first learned about xFoundry at the 2024 Homecoming Beyond the Field mental health event at the School of Public Health, where a conversation with the panel sparked my interest in making a difference in the mental health sphere. I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurship and the creative, iterative process of bringing ideas to life, but it had been a while since I had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in building something from the ground up. I realized how much I missed that process—the energy, problem-solving and potential to make a real impact.
Through xFoundry, I hope to gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, refine my ability to develop and iterate on ideas, and create something meaningful that addresses real-world challenges. The program has already introduced me to a network of like-minded individuals, and I look forward to continuing to build connections that will help shape my growth as an innovator and advocate for change.
Why did you choose to study public health science? Why is it important to you?
I love being a public health science major. I chose it because it just gives you such a holistic way to look at health challenges. I’m able to explore so many different fields, like policy right now.