As much of our society began to shut down in April 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristi Thomas was just gearing up to take on a new chapter in her career. She is now earning her MPH in Population and Health Sciences while she continues to lead the University of Michigan School of Dentistry's Community Dental Center.
Lu Wang’s research spans across many different disciplines, from healthcare to environmental health. This nexus of interests and research areas has led to critical work in personalized and precision health care, as well as a new opportunity to serve as co-lead of a new School of Public Health initiative aimed at applying this work to creating healthy and equitable cities.
An unexpected connection led Justin Heinze to pursue a career in public health. A rising scholar who researches various aspects of violence and impacts on health, Heinze leads new projects and initiatives at the University of Michigan School of Public Health that aim to find solutions to the multifaceted topic of firearm violence and prevention.
Biostatistics master’s student Jenna Bedrava loves applying statistics to solve public health problems. Only recently did she discover she could have a career doing just that. Now she works on wastewater-based COVID surveillance and other high-impact research projects.
SriLasya Reddy wants to improve access to mental health care and foster conversations that break down the stigmas that surround utilizing that care. She’s especially committed to understanding how these conversations unfold in communities of color.
Erin Wilke had a great job in a state she loved, but she wanted to grow. After completing a bachelor's degree in public health, she started working as a research coordinator within the orthopedic department of the Medical University of South Carolina. She did not want to uproot her life.