Ivy Liao, MPH ‘25, spent last summer working at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in New York City. Liao worked with the HIV and Health team on projects related to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

One of Liao’s main projects included redesigning the UNDP’s webpage on COVID-19 to focus more broadly on pandemics. After speaking with her team and researching similar websites, Liao conceptualized a site that would serve as a data sharing platform for different institutions, including research institutions, academia, and the public and private sectors. Liao complemented her proposal with logistical considerations, including a plan to engage with potential funders.

Liao credits this experience with teaching her important project management skills, including how to plan partnerships, seek funding, and create a timeline. She also felt it was a great way to practice the skills she learned in her classes and gain a better understanding of actors in the global health world. Liao hopes to continue to develop her expertise in global health governance through her thesis.

For Liao, one of the best parts of the experience was working with a team that inspired her. She enjoyed the opportunity to network with colleagues at UNDP and receive mentorship from her supervisors. Working in the UN system provided unique opportunities, such as attending events hosted by other UN organizations.

Liao advises other students interested in global health to use their time at Yale to explore the field through coursework and extracurricular opportunities. She views global health as a passion that should form a common thread throughout a student’s academic, professional, and personal lives. “Global health means being authentic and having a true interest,” said Liao. “Yale is the perfect place to start.”