
In this episode, we speak with Katie Lynch, a doctoral candidate in Social and Behavioral Sciences at NYU GPH, whose work uniquely blends anthropology, public health, and community-based research. Katie discusses her academic journey, from her background in medical anthropology and role as a qualitative methods specialist to pursuing her dissertation. She explains how she brings a unique lens to public health by focusing on human stories and lived experience. She shares insights on her dissertation, which focuses on the intersection of climate change and public health, particularly the long-term impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on different generations in California. Katie also shares how her long-standing passion for Taekwondo has provided her with a unique perspective on resilience and the importance of being present in the moment. This episode is a testament to the power of asking "why" and how curiosity and strong disciplinary training can lead to impactful public health research.