NYU GPH is thrilled to recognize 14 honorees at its 2026 Graduation Ceremony! As they celebrate their accomplishments, we tapped a few of our stellar scholars to share their GPH experience, the lessons they learned, and some priceless memories.
Nithyashree Kalyanaraman received her MPH in Public Health Management and appeared in the all-University Commencement Tribute Video.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a student; what advice would you give yourself?
Looking back, I'd tell myself on Day One simply this: to stay open. Be willing to get your hands dirty, step into uncertainty without overthinking it, and treat mistakes as part of the process rather than something to avoid. The best things that came out of my time at GPH started with saying Yes to something I wasn't fully sure about.
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
What has served me the most, and still does, is keeping an open mind. The university experience throws a lot at you, and the people who get the most out of it will approach each challenge with confidence rather than caution.
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
I keep coming back to the gap between the value of healthcare and who gets access to it. For too many people, geography, income or insurance status determine whether a life-changing treatment is even on the table. I've seen this play out in the data, and it drives a lot of what I want to do professionally. Whether I’m streamlining, building, or optimizing, the throughline is making sure that the quality of healthcare isn't determined by a zip code or a bank account; that's what I want to keep working on.
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
Co-hosting a cross-school social that brought together healthcare students from NYU’s business, public service, dental and medical schools. There's something genuinely energizing about being in a room full of people from completely different disciplines who are all working toward the same purpose. Everyone had a different path and a different lens, but the same drive. That's the kind of community that makes you proud to be part of this field.
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
My go-to is grabbing a sandwich from Fonty's Deli, then heading to Pier 45 at Hudson River Park to sit by the water and watch the sunset. It’s the perfect reset, and definitely an underrated gem that almost no one knows about.
Christina Joseph received her MPH in Public Health Policy and accepted a diploma on behalf of her classmates at the All-University Commencement exercises.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a student; what advice would you give yourself?
Take a moment to breathe, and prioritize. In the beginning you want to do everything, but that's a fast track to burning out. Take a step back, look at the big picture and decide what you actually want to get out of this degree.
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
Do everything with genuine love and curiosity. A positive outlook is critical, and hope is what gets me through every day.
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
Screen Dependency! People don't always recognize it as a public health issue, but very few of us are unaffected by the problem.
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
I went to a ton of NYU and GPH events broadly, especially early on. Some were directly related to public health, others were completely random. You should take advantage of these opportunities! One might end up changing your life; you never know.
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
There are so many! In NYC there's always something new to try, so I make a point of not repeating places. But for a really unique spot, check out Chatti in Midtown Manhattan. It serves food from the Indian state I'm from, and that makes it special to me.
Alexandra Krstić received her MA in Bioethics and proudly carried the GPH banner at this year’s all-University Commencement exercises.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a student; what advice would you give yourself?
A: Not far in the future, powerful AI tools will drastically change the experience of being a student by introducing new temptations, e.g., cutting corners with an LLM to summarize a paper, instead of reading it. You’ll look back on your AI-free master’s education as a gift! Remember the blessing it is to have the time and space to dedicate yourself to learning. It is a privilege to be challenged and to sharpen yourself by struggling through something.
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
A: Letting go of shame and perfectionism. My path to completing my degree was nontraditional and took longer than most. I struggled with the sense that my work had to be stellar to "make up" for the challenges and bumps I faced along the way. I learned to lean into the mantra that "done is better than perfect!”
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
Childhood malnutrition.
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
My Bioethics program courses were phenomenal and pushed me to become a better thinker. I especially loved courses with Professors Adam Lerner, Michelle Dyke, Alison Bateman-House and Matthew Liao!
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
Headrest Coffee in Bushwick, Brooklyn makes a gorgeous matcha!
Kratika Tyagi earned her MPH in Public Health Management and was chosen by her classmates to receive the Student Engagement Award.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
Remember to explore as much as possible, connect with clubs, research labs and events; to truly enjoy my time at NYU. I would tell myself, You can do it, don’t be scared of anything or hold back.
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
Developing my self-confidence was indispensable. Over time, I became more sure of myself, and learned to trust that I could navigate whatever challenges came my way.
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
Ensuring equal access to healthcare for everyone by reducing disparities. Making quality care accessible regardless of background or circumstances would have a meaningful global impact.
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
When the semester began we had all-day orientation, and then in the evening a celebration at the pier on the Hudson. It was so fun and felt incredibly wholesome. It was only my third day in New York City, and in that moment it felt so right to have chosen NYU!
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
I love Mango Mango—I’m a big dessert fan, and it’s one of my favorite spots to treat myself.
Alan Prohorov received his MA in Bioethics and was chosen to be a GPH Student Speaker.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
To learn from all my experiences, not just those in the classroom. The beauty of NYC is that there’s something incredibly valuable to take away from each unique person and experience. I would tell myself to see every interaction as something to learn from.
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
Open-mindedness was absolutely vital to my degree. As a Bioethics student, I studied many difficult topics that are not often discussed in society. If I had been close-minded, then I would have missed out on many learning opportunities, and the ability to truly engage with challenging material that changed my perspectives for the better.
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
I would solve the global epidemic of mental illness, one of the most stigmatized and unaddressed areas of public health. I would ensure that every person with mental illness receives a diagnosis, has access to resources to treat and address that illness, and has the support needed to live well despite it.
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
In my Reproductive Ethics class, not only did I meet my awesome friends Erin and Maria, but I learned so much about many important topics. Moreover, the course was taught incredibly well by Daniel Fogal, and the classroom was always a fun and safe environment that was conducive to learning.
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
I don't know if it's a secret, but every time I passed through Penn Station, I would go to a store called Delicatessen and get a turkey and brie on a croissant—I honestly think that sandwich is the best quick meal in NYC. I've never taken the train home without it, and I never will.
Eman Kamilia Maadir received her MPH in Community Health Science & Practice and was named a GPH Student Speaker.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
To be more open to making friends right away. I was really shy and reserved at first, having moved from a small town to a big city; it took me a few months to put myself out there and get to know people. Now, considering where I am and the friends I’ve made, I truly wish I had taken that step earlier, because friends have made my experience so much more meaningful and fun.
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
I think time management is super important. There were times when I had lighter weeks and would relax a bit too much, and then everything would hit me all at once. Being able to manage your time well and plan ahead really saves you—not just academically, but it helps you maintain a balanced lifestyle so you can enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
It would be accessibility to healthcare. Living in New York over the past two years and working in underserved communities has really opened my eyes to how critical equal access to healthcare is. Coming from a family with roots in another country, I’ve also seen how healthcare systems differ around the world. That perspective has made me especially passionate about improving access here in the U.S. and around the world.
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
One favorite is when my cohort and I celebrated the end of our last fall semester by going out to dinner, getting a cake and just enjoying each other’s company. We spent the night reminiscing about our first year in the master’s program, and it was just such a great vibe.
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
I’m definitely an East Village girl! I love walking down St. Mark’s Place, trying different foods, or just grabbing a bagel and hanging out in Tompkins Square Park; it’s always a good time in that area. I also highly recommend trying Mamoun’s Falafel—it never disappoints.
Akshita Varshney received her MPH in Public Health Nutrition and was chosen as a GPH Student Speaker.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
Trust the process and don’t worry about figuring everything out right away. When I arrived at GPH I was nervous about adjusting to a new country, a new academic system, and balancing so many opportunities at once. Looking back, I would remind myself that growth happens gradually, and it’s OK to ask for help, try new things and take up space. And I’d tell myself to say Yes to more experiences; because some of my most meaningful memories came from opportunities I almost doubted myself out of.
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
Resilience was most important; pursuing an MPH and being an international student meant constantly adapting to new academic, professional and personal challenges. Through the moments of stress, uncertainty and long nights, I learned to stay persistent and keep moving forward even when things feel overwhelming. I also think being genuinely curious helped a lot, because it pushed me to explore different areas of public health nutrition, research, community work and student leadership.
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
Food insecurity and unequal access to nutritious food. Healthy eating should not be a privilege based on where you live, how much money you make, or what resources you have access to. Through my work, I’ve seen how deeply food insecurity affects a person’s physical and mental health, their education and overall quality of life. If everyone had affordable, culturally appropriate, nutritious food, it would transform communities and improve many other public health outcomes.
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
I loved being a GPH student ambassador using the Unibuddy app to connect with prospective students considering NYU GPH, to share my experience, answer questions, and help them feel confident about their decision. I can see how much I’ve grown since my first day at NYU. And I’ve enjoyed time with classmates during group projects, attending events or simply exploring the City together after class.
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
I love walking in Central Park, especially when the weather is nice; it’s a break from the busy pace of the city, a place where you can relax and reflect, or spend time with friends. And I love getting a matcha from Blank Street Coffee before heading there; it has definitely become one of my favorite little NYC routines.
Aanya Datta received her MPH in Social & Behavioral Sciences and was chosen to be a GPH Student Speaker.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
I would tell myself to keep an open mind and explore all the opportunities that came my way, especially the ones outside my concentration. I learnt so much from my interactions with faculty in GPH, across campus and beyond!
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
As an extroverted person I really enjoy striking up conversations with people across the board; it’s a skill I’ve honed through undergrad and grad school, and it’s served me really well. It makes networking events easier and more fun—and it’s helped me land every opportunity I’ve had at GPH!
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
One of my interests is studying the barriers people experience when accessing healthcare and their impacts on both individual and population health. I sometimes wish there was a magic wand that we could wave and everyone would have equitable access to healthcare!
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
My first year I went to Summit One Vanderbilt, the new observation deck in NYC, with some of my closest friends, and it was the coolest experience. And working in the Office of Student Affairs as an onboarding ambassador over the summer was a close second! We made so many great memories, and it was rewarding to see it materialize during orientation!
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
Joe Coffee on LaGuardia Place is an amazing study spot (I've spent a lot of time there). For food, either Mamouns’s falafel on MacDougal or Brooklyn Bagels on Eighth Street are perfect grab-and-go on long days. And I love Hudson River Park on the West Side or the Central Park reservoir for decompressing with some stunning views!
Lisa Chen received her MS in Epidemiology and was chosen to be a GPH Student Speaker.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
That you do not need to have everything figured out right away. Moving to a new place, starting graduate school and building a new life all at the same time is a lot to take in. Give yourself space to breathe, be patient and trust that everything will fall right where you want it to!
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
Confidence! At the beginning, I was still growing into my abilities, but over time I learned to trust my skills and believe in what I could contribute to public health.
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
I would rebuild trust between healthcare institutions and the communities they serve, so we can address the issue of missing and incomplete public health data. When people feel represented, respected, and safe sharing their information, we can generate complete and accurate data to guide equitable public health research.
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
Giving an oral presentation at the GPH Research Symposium. It was incredibly rewarding to share my research that I invested so much time and effort into, and seeing faculty, peers and other students engage with my work!
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
I love going to Chubby Skewers on 37th Street! They’re an authentic Chinese BBQ joint and they have great deals on skewers!
Izza Malik earned her MPH in Public Health Policy & Management and was chosen to receive the GPH Public Health Research Award.
Q1: Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
Try everything you want to, and ignore the voice in your head that creeps in preaching self-doubt. Society is constructed to be harsh and critical, why add to the noise?
Q2: What skill or personal characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
Ambition was critical to my career at NYU. Saying Yes to opportunities, asking questions even if the answer is highly likely to be No, and being unapologetic about what I wanted to accomplish.
Q3: If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
There’s not a single issue that I would choose specifically, since public health is such an interdisciplinary field. However, I would challenge people to recognize their privilege, either by gender, race, nationality, financial status or education, and make an intentional decision to treat others with empathy, especially those less fortunate in where they were born. The only reason you and I are able to read text off a screen without a second thought reflects the abundance of wealth that fate has granted us.
Q4: Describe one of your favorite NYU GPH memories.
Being a founding member and President of the Reproductive Rights Club at GPH. In one academic year, we distributed over 1000+ products discreetly and at no cost; advocated for policy reform in Albany; and raised funds for the Asiyah Women’s Center, the only domestic violence shelter intentionally catering to Muslim, BIPOC, and refugee survivors and their children.
Q5: What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of my favorite spots. Grab an almond croissant from L’Appartement 4f, a Dunkin iced coffee (1 butter pecan + 1 caramel swirl, ur welcome), and take in the most peaceful, cinematic view of the Manhattan skyline. For extra leisure, have Spotify play Pure Heroine by Lorde.