Why did you choose the Yale School of Public Health?
I chose the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) largely due to its comprehensive, cross-disciplinary educational philosophy. Yale truly embraces intersectionality in both its academic and extracurricular activities. This was something I felt mirrored both the intricacies and complexities of public health in the real world and would set me up for success in my future career. This synergy, coupled with the faculty’s engagement during admissions, confirmed Yale’s dedication to individuality and a future-oriented vision for public health.
What were you doing before enrolling at YSPH?
Before joining YSPH, I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Florida, focusing on public health and specializing in spatial modeling. This is when I really started to get involved in global health field work, specifically at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in South Africa, working on HIV/AIDS and malaria research. I also conducted my own research on the drivers and determinants of infant mortality in Alachua County, Florida. This project underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making and identifying feasible and sustainable interventions for populations. I realized that many of the challenges present in global health were also prevalent within the United States – what differed were the systems that perpetuated these disparities and the mechanisms used to address them.
Yale truly embraces intersectionality in both its academic and extracurricular activities. This was something I felt mirrored both the intricacies and complexities of public health in the real world and would set me up for success in my future career.
Kailey Seiler
What are your favorite aspects of the YSPH academic program?
YSPH really stands out to me for its embrace of creativity and innovation. I found a rare opportunity to blend hard science with inventive thinking through their innovation ecosystem, which led me to pursue opportunities in start-up development and entrepreneurship. In that regard, I am currently a student innovation fellow at InnovateHealth Yale, and am a brand strategist at Pills2Me, a company started by YSPH alumnus Leslie Asanga (Advanced Professional MPH ’20). Furthermore, the collective mindset of peers, friends, and colleagues has been so inspiring and pivotal to my personal and professional growth. YSPH engages individuals from all around the world, each driven by unique interests and a genuine passion to enact purposeful change within their sectors of interest.
What was your most impactful experience outside of class?
In the summer of 2023, I was selected as a Yale Leadership in Global Health Fellow and completed my fellowship at The Global Fund in Geneva, Switzerland. During my time there, I analyzed the impact of past investments in waste management and created novel comparison metrics for disposal mechanisms in target countries. This ultimately led to discoveries highlighting the impact of procurement waste and how, in the future, to reduce waste in supply chain and distribution channels. Moreover, my time living and working in Geneva was deeply enriching and allowed me to work with some of the most uniquely talented individuals in the global health field!
Do you have a favorite Yale place or New Haven food?
The food trucks near the med campus are a great pick-me-up during the day. There are a variety of options from local businesses, and it’s super-convenient for grabbing a bite with friends after class or on the go!
What do you hope to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to continue my work in global health and innovation. Drawing on my strengths and experience with communications, project management, and strategy development, I plan to pursue roles that empower me to take initiative and explore creative avenues for effecting change.