YSPH Love Story: Lianne Epstein Jacobs and Daniel Jacobs

Lianne Epstein Jacobs, MPH ’14 (social and behavioral studies), and Daniel Jacobs, MPH ’12, PhD ’16 (genetic epidemiology), can’t pinpoint exactly when they met. Between seeing each other outside of Winslow auditorium waiting for class, having several mutual friends, and living in neighboring apartment buildings, Lianne and Daniel kept unintentionally running into each other. Eventually, they began spending time together on purpose.

One of Lianne and Daniel’s favorite memories during their time at YSPH is attending the winter formal in 2012. They have been together ever since.

Lianne and Daniel spent a combined 10 years living in New Haven, where they enjoyed seeing performances at the Yale Repertory Theatre, trying many of the local restaurants, and working out at the Payne Whitney Gym where Lianne taught indoor cycling classes. They attended the Connecticut Open tennis tournament every year and spent their weekends going for walks in East Rock. They named their dog, Whitney, after Whitney Avenue.

While at YSPH, Lianne was voted “most studious” by her classmates and “most likely to marry a classmate.” Although Daniel spent most of his time writing his dissertation, he did manage to find time to plan a special proposal. Lianne and Daniel became engaged in the middle of the Old Campus quad after Daniel sent Lianne on a scavenger hunt through campus, with clues strategically placed at some of their favorite places, including Sushi on Chapel, where they had their first date. They were married in 2017, with several of their YSPH classmates in attendance.

These days, Lianne and Daniel live in Chicago, where Lianne works in health communication and marketing strategy for Vitality Group, a global health and wellbeing company specializing in behavior change. Daniel is the managing director at Pathway Bioventures, an early-stage biotechnology venture firm.

As for Valentine’s Day, the couple has a very special plan – celebrating their daughter’s birthday.