NYU GPH is proud to introduce eight new doctors, including our first ever DrPH graduates! Our community has had the pleasure to work alongside these incredible changemakers who have dedicated countless hours of research and field work to become experts in their fields. These scholars are poised for new endeavors that are only the beginning of the impact they will have and we can't wait to see what their future holds. Scroll below to read a Q & A featuring a few of our grads who share words of advice, public health aspirations, fun facts and fond memories of their NYU GPH experience.
John Pateña, DrPH, MPH, MA
Advisor: Emmanuel Peprah
Dissertation Title: Acceptability and Feasibility of Implementing a Task-sharing Mental Health Intervention for Sickle Cell Disease Populations in Low- and Middle-income Countries
Q: Think back to your first day as a doctoral student; what advice would you give yourself?
A: I would tell myself that the next four years are a marathon, not a sprint. There will be times that I want to speed up or rush through the stages of my degree, but for each one I need to live in the moment. I would also be kinder to myself: there will be moments where I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the first, the best, the one who carries the weight of others. But I truly need to give myself grace and recognize that the journey is more important than the destination.
Q: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
A: My passion has always been advocating for mental health and wellbeing at a population level. I've spent 15 years of my professional life developing innovative interventions for preventing or treating mental health conditions, and implementing programs that put mental health at the forefront of care. I hope to increase not only access to mental health care, but its utilization. There’s still too much stigma around mental health that prevents the populations that need it most from seeking support.
Q: What skill or characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
A: Being resilient is what helped me most. There have been so many challenges professionally and personally, that sometimes it can be really tough to make it through. But the process of picking myself back up, pushing through the challenges, and continuing on to my goal really does build character, and makes getting there more fulfilling.
Q: Describe one of your favorite NYU memories.
A: They are the times I spent with my fellow DrPH cohort —the Pioneer Cohort! They have provided me with so much support, comfort, and guidance. In one moment, we are fearless colleagues, ready to take on the world; our conversations have been the most inspirational and collaborative ever. The next moment, we’re laughing and sharing stories over good food; those times were my own mental health relief, knowing that we were going through this together.
Q: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
A: I love going to Brooklyn Bridge Park! Especially in the summer when the weather is nice (and the sun is setting), I could sit and look out onto the water and at the NYC skyline forever.
Julius Torres Kellinghusen, DrPH, MPH
Advisor: Yesim Tozan
Dissertation Title: The Workplace Wellbeing Assessment: Developing an Instrument to Evaluate and Improve Organizational Structures Impacting The Wellbeing of Aid Workers
Q: Think back to your first day as a doctoral student; what advice would you give yourself?
A: Look for opportunities to get more teaching experience – you'll love it!
Q: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
A: I would prevent the ability of unchecked capitalism to perpetuate systems and policies that benefit the rich at the expense of the poor, allowing millions to die of curable diseases each year because treating them is "not worth the investment."
Q: What skill or characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
A: Time management: DrPH students tend to work full time, so balancing that with school and personal matters can be very challenging.
Q: Describe one of your favorite NYU memories.
A: On the first day of MPH orientation back in 2018, the school hosted a club fair/mixer at the Brazen Fox, where I met my wife!
Q: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
A: Live jazz at St. Mazie in Williamsburg.
Marsha Williams, DrPH
Advisor: Robyn Gershon
Dissertation Title: Adoption of Anticipatory Action for Weather Emergencies in the Caribbean: Barriers and Facilitators
Q: Think back to your first day as a doctoral student; what advice would you give yourself?
A: To really soak it all in and enjoy every moment of my experience as a member of the inaugural DrPH cohort—the time went by so quickly!
Q: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
A: Climate change and its impact on health.
Q: What skill or characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
A: Covidence: a helpful tool for conducting systematic reviews.
Q: Describe one of your favorite NYU memories.
A: Studying abroad at NYU Abu Dhabi, exploring the global elimination of neglected tropical diseases.
Q: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
A: Love Mama Restaurant, which specializes in Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine—it’s absolutely delicious!
Yuan Zhao, PhD in Epidemiology
Advisor: Rumi Chunara
Dissertation Title: Machine Learning and Social Determinants of Health
Q: Think back to your first day as a doctoral student; what advice would you give yourself?
A: Be open minded about different possibilities and make many friends; it's important to have a balanced life when you pursue a PhD.
Q: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
A: Health inequality; it’s one of the most pressing and foundational public health challenges.
Q: What skill or characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
A: Data science skills, but equally important was the ability to frame meaningful research questions from the data.
Q: Describe one of your favorite NYU memories.
A: One of my favorites was going to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden with my labmates on a lovely spring day ... We had lots of fun together, both in and out of class.
Q: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
A: They’re not really secret, but as someone with a serious sweet tooth I love La Cabra and Lady Wong.
