Future epidemiologist interested in YSPH’s opportunities for specialization

I am excited to learn from YSPH’s distinguished faculty and the school’s MPH curriculum. It strikes a thoughtful balance between core courses and departmental requirements, enriched by a wide range of electives. I especially value the opportunity to take classes across Yale’s other schools to fulfill elective requirements. This flexibility is motivating as the core courses will equip me with the foundational knowledge to address complex public health challenges, while the electives will broaden my perspective and help me develop a holistic approach to the field. I am also excited about participating in the Professional Skills Series to further strengthen my interpersonal and leadership skills.

I was drawn to YSPH for its exceptional opportunities for specialization. When searching for an MPH program, I knew I wanted to focus on epidemiology, but I appreciated that YSPH takes it a step further by dividing the field into two distinct departments: Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases. My long-standing passion lies in preventing and mitigating the impact of chronic diseases, so YSPH’s dedicated MPH program in Chronic Disease Epidemiology immediately set it apart from other public health schools. I was equally excited to discover that, beyond specialized departments, YSPH offers further focus through concentrations. I also value YSPH’s low student–faculty ratio, which fosters close mentorship and hands-on learning.

I grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, so I am excited to be back in my home state! I earned my Bachelor of Science in Population Health with minors in Epidemiology and Chinese from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. My favorite undergraduate course was Spatial Epidemiology, where I was introduced to geographic information systems (GIS) analysis. At YSPH, I am excited to build on that foundation by taking GIS courses and learning how to create maps with time-lapse and 3D visualizations. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing tennis, watching movies, getting lost in a good mystery book, and taking long walks.

I hope to work at the intersection of epidemiology, health equity, and data visualization to guide public health interventions and improve access to care. I am particularly interested in leveraging GIS and other analytical tools to identify and address geographic and structural barriers to health. I am also deeply committed to advancing health literacy by translating complex public health findings into clear, accessible information for audiences of all literacy levels. While I am still exploring the exact professional setting, whether in industry or government, my goal is to transform data into actionable change for communities. I am looking forward to engaging with YSPH’s extensive career resources to help me further develop and achieve my long-term goals.

Meet the Class of 2027 is an ongoing series showcasing incoming students at the Yale School of Public Health.