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Michigan Public Health’s Accelerated Master’s program allowed Andrew Hoover to earn both his Bachelor of Science in Public Health Sciences and Master of Science in Environmental Health Sciences in five years. Inspired by Flint’s water crisis, he balanced rigorous coursework with student leadership, research, and teaching while studying environmental justice issues.
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.
Mrinalini Gupta studied issues related to water and waterborne disease. Mrinalini recently worked with the Center of Molecular Dynamics Nepal, a prominent nongovernmental institution dedicated to public health innovation and intervention research, to advance projects related to vaccine campaign assessment, zoonotic disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, and mapping of key populations.
Working with the Coast Guard’s Incident Management Assist Team, Katie Romas tackled real-world challenges, ranging from hurricane response to oil spills. These situations required her to coordinate efforts with other agencies, writing safety plans and minimizing environmental impact. She often found herself impressed by the work of industrial hygienists, the specialists who ensure the safety of responders and subsequently the environment during emergencies.
Devon Payne-Sturges, professor of Environmental Health Sciences and University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, has never been one to shy away from complex or controversial environmental health issues—she embraces them head-on. In fact, her pursuit motivated her to change careers, go back to school, and ultimately make her way to Ann Arbor after a distinguished career on the East Coast.