Why did you choose the Yale School of Public Health?
I chose the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) for its strong emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches to public health, academic diversity, and community engagement. The school encourages students to engage with a diverse range of topics, from health policy to environmental degradation and global health, which is reflected in its research projects and course offerings. Additionally, YSPH fosters a collaborative and social environment, providing numerous opportunities for students to connect and work with faculty, peers, and community members through seminars, conferences, and lunches.
What were you doing before enrolling at YSPH?
Before enrolling at YSPH, I graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in medical sciences and a minor in environmental sciences from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Between my undergraduate graduation and the start of the MPH academic program, I worked as an environmental and government affairs intern at the United Nations Environment Program in Washington, D.C.
One of my favorite aspects of the YSPH academic program is the abundance of social activities and opportunities available to students. Every week, I receive dozens of invitations to diverse academic and social events.
Aline Maybank
What are your favorite aspects of the YSPH academic program?
One of my favorite aspects of the YSPH academic program is the abundance of social activities and opportunities available to students. Every week, I receive dozens of invitations to diverse academic and social events, including interest group meetings on energy science, urban tree planting initiatives, Yale Farm gardening, and well-being dinner events. Also, specialized centers, such as the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health, actively work to foster collaborations among faculty, students, and New Haven community members. The endless events and research centers provide a platform to connect with other passionate individuals and learn about their diverse life and scholastic experiences, which aligns with my core values of collaboration, inclusivity, and empathy.
What was your most impactful experience outside of class?
One of my most impactful experiences outside of class was working with Krystal Pollitt’s lab to calibrate ground-level air sensors at an EPA monitoring site. This project aims to collaborate with local communities,equipping them with these sensors to better understand their air quality. This experience was meaningful to me because it combined community engagement, environmental quality regulations, and scientific innovation, all of which are central to my values as an environmental public health researcher. It also provided insights into how I can apply the skills I’m learning in my community in British Columbia, Canada, where I plan to return after graduation.
Do you have a favorite Yale place or New Haven food?
New Haven has so many excellent restaurants, so it is hard to narrow it down, but my standout favorites are two local small businesses: Elena’s on Orange Street and East Rock Breads on State Street. Elena’s on Orange has innovative soft-serve ice cream flavors they change twice per week, and everything East Rock Breads makes is fantastic, but their croissants are some of the most flavorful and flakiest croissants I have ever had!
What do you hope to do after graduation?
My ultimate professional goal is to become a multidisciplinary resident physician-researcher in family medicine and public health based in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, and work at the intersection of environmental exposures and community climate adaptation and resiliency. After my MPH graduation, I plan on pursuing an MD or MD/PhD in population and environmental health sciences, combining my passion for climate change action, human health outcomes, and exposure science.