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University of Michigan School of Public Health Biostatistics PhD student Justice Akuoko-Frimpong combines teaching excellence with impactful research. As a statistician on the CAPTURE study for COPD respiratory disease, he analyzes data to improve patient care while mentoring future public health professionals.
When Joshua Foster-Tucker’s wife suggested he apply to Michigan Public Health instead of attending medical school, neither could have predicted it would launch a passion for understanding infectious diseases. Now pursuing his PhD at Michigan Public Health, he studies respiratory viruses, including how they could accelerate immune system aging—research that could transform our understanding of health longevity. His journey, shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, personal challenges and mentorship illustrates how meaningful career paths can emerge from unplanned moments of redirection.
An internship at a local health department further crystallized Laura Arboleda-Merino's interests in public health. She was no longer just interested in treating individual patients, but in understanding and addressing systemic health challenges. Her academic journey led her to the University of Michigan School of Public Health. The transition wasn’t just about academic advancement but about finding a community that resonated with her interdisciplinary approach.
Even from a young age, Kalee Rumfelt, MPH ’21, PhD ’25, has always been fascinated by human genetics. Her path to obtaining a doctoral degree in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, however, didn’t come without hurdles. Growing up in a low-income household near Detroit, Rumfelt faced significant financial challenges. Yet, she transformed those hardships into stepping stones toward academic success.
Recognized for his advocacy, particularly for people of color, Darius Moore, MPH ’24, has been instrumental in leading seminars and conferences during his tenure at Michigan Public Health. Now a doctoral student in Health Behavior & Health Equity at Michigan Public Health, his work in HIV prevention has solidified his status as an exceptional individual poised to make a lasting impact.
Returning to the University of Michigan School of Public Health feels like a full-circle moment for Darrell Hudson, MPH ’05, PhD ’09. As the new chair of the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, Hudson brings with him a profound passion for public health, deeply rooted in his experiences growing up in Detroit. He faced many adversities that would later shape his career in public health.