As we honor the Class of 2025, it is our great privilege to acknowledge the outstanding performance of a special group of students whose leadership, innovation, scholarship, and research excellence deserve recognition.
We introduce to you the recipients of the Class of 2025 Student Awards.
Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases
Thesis: “Evaluating the impact of P. falciparum genetic diversity on PfRh5 blood stage vaccine protection through a multi-method approach”
Alyssa is a graduating MPH student in the rigorous 5-year BS/MPH program. Her prize-winning thesis investigated the mechanisms by which Plasmodium falciparum—the parasite responsible for causing malaria—invades human red blood cells and evades human immune response. The insights generated by Alyssa’s work could help make future malaria vaccines more effective. Alyssa’s research is particularly impressive in that most of it took place in a remote field lab in Kédougou, Senegal. Her research and various experiments incorporated genomics, structural biology, mathematical modeling, and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. Alyssa’s thesis advisor, Associate Professor Amy Bei, who has mentored students at both Harvard and Yale for over 13 years, described her as one of the most exceptional students that she has ever had the privilege to mentor. Dr. Bei said Alyssa’s master’s thesis will likely result in multiple first author publications and could easily be chapters of a PhD dissertation.
In nominating Alyssa, Dr. Bei cited Alyssa’s “intelligence, inquisitive nature, ability to tackle difficult scientific concepts, creative scientific design, independence, maturity but also cultural sensitivity and respect, and team-spirit and collaborative attitude” that, taken together, make her an outstanding candidate for this award.
After graduation, Alyssa will be leading a genomic and modeling training seminar at the Institute Pasteur de Dakar to train and transfer the approaches outlined in her thesis to the institute’s genomics and public health modeling platform. She will also begin collaborations with Professor Simon Draper of Oxford University in analyzing data for a malaria vaccine trial.
Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases
Thesis: “Evaluating Saliva Based Glucose Testing for Accessible Diabetes Care in Tanzania”
Shannon's outstanding thesis is based on her primary data collection in Tanzania that was used to test the validity of a user-friendly saliva test to assess blood glucose using strips. The work is highly innovative and may have major implications for equity in diabetes screening, prevention, and self-management in lower income countries and beyond. The study was implemented and analyzed with scientific rigor and the thesis itself is very well framed, written, and presented. The work is of such importance that both faculty thesis reviewers strongly encouraged Shannon to publish her thesis as a preprint research article so the world could benefit from her findings.
Dr. Wilbur G. Downs was a pioneer in international health and a long-time faculty member at YSPH.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Thesis: "Crowned in My Confidence: The Impact of Self-Perceptions of Black Hair & Ethnic Identity on the Mental Health of Black Teen Girls"
Olivia’s thesis advisor, Dr. Ijeoma Opara, PhD, LMSW, MPH, describes Olivia’s excellent and impactful work eloquently in her nomination. “Olivia’s work is a powerful and timely exploration of how systemic racism, Eurocentric beauty standards, and gendered discrimination intersect to shape the mental health experiences of Black adolescent girls. Using data from The Dreamer Girls Project, a pilot study to develop a prevention intervention for Black girls, Olivia was able to apply intersectionality theory to uncover significant associations between hair-esteem, ethnic identity, and mental health outcomes like depression and anxiety. Her thesis demonstrates a deep commitment to health equity by centering the voices and lived experiences of Black girls and offering culturally responsive insights that have direct implications for mental health services, school policy, and public health interventions.”
Health Policy and Management
Health Care Management Program
Mia came to YSPH in 2023 with a BA in Neuroscience & Behavior and a Correlate in Educational Studies from Vassar College. Mia is not only an exceptional scholar at Yale, but she is also committed to fostering community within the university and beyond. Throughout her time at YSPH, Mia has contributed meaningfully in a range of roles: volunteering with Connecticut Hospice, performing in on-campus musicals, serving as a teaching assistant for YSPH courses, and mentoring fellow students through the Health Care Management (HCM) program. Mia exemplifies what it means to be a collaborative, service-driven, and creative leader at YSPH. We’re proud to honor her many contributions and excited to see the positive impact she will continue to make in public health.
Henry J. (Sam) Chauncey Jr., BA ’57, is a former Secretary of Yale University and one of the founders of Yale’s Health Care Management Program.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
During her time as a Leadership in Global Health Fellow at the Yale Institute for Global Health, Megan concentrated on advancing her strong interest in menstrual health and hygiene (MHH). Specifically, she conducted a stakeholder mapping to identify gaps and opportunities for collaboration, drafted a multi-sectoral call to action, and developed an advocacy strategy to engage key stakeholders in prioritizing MHH on a global scale. Through this fellowship, alongside other global health work, Megan strengthened her capacity to lead impactful initiatives, advocate for sustainable solutions, and inspire future global health leaders. Megan also has been an outstanding exemplar and inspiring teaching fellow at YSPH for courses on Global Health Foundations, Global Noncommunicable Disease, and Maternal-Child Public Health Nutrition. Dr. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, who nominated Megan for this award, said: “I have seen firsthand the exceptional student mentor that she is, constantly providing feedback, and supporting students’ academic growth in the global health arena.” Megan also served as YSPH liaison to the Jackson School of Global Affairs for a Conflict and Health Conference in April.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
As a Leadership in Global Health Fellow at the Yale Institute for Global Health (YIGH), Shankeri served as event chair for 2025 Global Health Case Competition. She also participated in a U.S. Global Health Policy and Advocacy Study Tour in Washington, D.C. in April. During the visit, Shankeri and other members of the tour group met global health policy experts, advocates, and congressional staff to understand the policy-making process and learn about strategies to advocate for global health. In addition to her YIGH activities, Shankeri was a teaching fellow for the Climate Equity and Health Policy Methods course, a research fellow at the Success Lab at the Yale School of the Environment, and a student in the Global Health Justice Partnership practicum course.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Johntrell’s contributions to Yale, New Haven, and national policy conversations exemplify every facet of what this award was created to honor: advancing belonging, equity, and justice, grounded in both service and structural change. Johntrell’s service has been extensive. He was a graduate student representative on the University’s Committee on Sexual Misconduct and a member of YSPH’s Committee for Academic and Professional Integrity. Through the Yale African American Affinity Group, he volunteered at career fairs, school supply drives, and other events that strengthened Yale's ties to the New Haven community. Through Yale Pathways, he mentored underrepresented high school students—offering resume support, essay editing, and college application guidance. He also participated in the New Haven Counts program, where he worked directly with elementary and middle school students to strengthen math literacy rates following the COVID-19 pandemic. With United Way of Greater New Haven, Johntrell helped sort and distribute meals to local families. He also volunteered with the United Way Readers program, where he was paired with elementary school students struggling to read at grade level.
At Yale, Johntrell served as a teaching fellow for YSPH courses on health policy and community health program evaluation. As a Rashi Fein Health Policy Fellow at the National Academy of Social Insurance, Johntrell developed policy proposals for Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security issues. Johntrell was also selected for two highly competitive national fellowships that reflect his interest in social justice. As a John R. Lewis Fellow through the Faith & Politics Institute, Johntrell participated in a year-long program focused on nonviolence and civil rights leadership. As a Public Policy New Voices Fellow with Globally, Johntrell was selected from a competitive national pool of BIPOC graduate students to engage in an 18-session leadership program designed to dismantle structural barriers in the policy field.
One nomination letter for Johntrell described his impact this way: “In every space Johntrell enters—classroom, committee, community center, or Capitol—he brings empathy, brilliance, and a deep commitment to justice. To me, he reflects the best of what our graduates can be as advocates of belonging, equity, and justice.”
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Since her first month at YSPH, Monica has been deeply involved with UHOPE, a student-run organization that provides essential items to unhoused individuals in New Haven. Understanding that sustainable change requires structural support, Monica took the initiative to fundraise for UHOPE and advocate for additional institutional funding. She built strategic partnerships with other Yale organizations, including Dwight Hall, to extend the reach and effectiveness of her work and expand collaborations with undergraduate students. These collaborative efforts went beyond logistical coordination and fostered a culture of empathy, shared responsibility, and inclusion among students both within YSPH and the broader Yale community. By creating opportunities for students to contribute meaningfully, Monica has helped build a more inclusive and socially conscious campus environment.
As a volunteer at Haven Free Clinic, Monica dedicates her Saturdays to distributing personal hygiene care packages and socks to those in need. Her efforts, in collaboration with Chapel on the Green, resulted in large-scale distributions providing over 2,000 pairs of socks, more than 100 winter coats, and more than 100 pairs of shoes to people in need. She constantly invites YSPH students to join her efforts—collecting coats from friends and neighbors, hosting packing parties to assemble hygiene kits, and encouraging donations of shoes and household products. Monica's passion, leadership, and tireless dedication to supporting underserved populations, particularly unhoused and uninsured individuals, have made her an exemplary role model among her peers. Perhaps most inspiring is Monica’s personal commitment. She responds to individual needs in real time, even keeping supplies in her car to assist anyone she may come across.
As one nomination letter said, Monica’s everyday actions “consistently reflect the core values of this award, as she has played an instrumental role in making our campus more engaged, inclusive, and socially aware. Monica truly exemplifies what it means to advance belonging, equity, and justice.”