Blog

Kaitlyn Akel, Master’s Student in Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health

Confronting COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy with Public Health History

Kaitlyn Akel

Kaitlyn Akel combines her study of history and biology with her passion for public health to protect entire populations. From urban health to vaccine hesitancy to environmental health, Akel’s work connects academic and cultural insights to provide broader understandings of community health.

Cassie Gaskins, master's student in Environmental Health Sciences

First Generation Student Works to Protect Energy Workers

Cassie Gaskins

Keeping workers safe while on the job is a passion for master’s student Cassie Gaskins, especially as new technologies present new challenges. With the construction and energy industries booming in Michigan, she will have plenty of opportunities to apply her expertise.

Anna Siu

Empowering Better Health through Empathy

Anna Siu, MPH ’14

Registered dietician Anna Siu believes the most successful patient outcomes are based in understanding each patient as a real person. She's now bringing that empathetic philosophy to a unique program aimed at defeating type 2 diabetes.

Enrique Neblett

Infusing Public Health with Psychology to Dismantle Racism

Enrique W. Neblett Jr., PhD

As a trained psychologist working in public health, Enrique Neblett understands the interdisciplinary power of public health. Neblett’s research focuses on the mental health of Black young people, in particular how racism-related stress affects health outcomes.

Kwame McGlory, MPH student

A Desire to Heal: One Nurse Pursues Public Health during a Pandemic

Kwame McGlory

Kwame McGlory says, as a nurse, you are always active, always helping, and no matter what role he is in, that spirit is what drives him. Over this past year, he has had a unique view of the COVID-19 pandemic: he’s faced this crisis head on as a health care worker, a contact tracer, and as a public health student. While he studies public health online, he continues to prioritize the well-being of others and actively help the community he serves.