NYU GPH is excited to honor 18 awardees at our 2025 Graduation Ceremony! As we patiently wait for the big day, we tapped a few of our awardees to tell us about their GPH experience, things they learned and some priceless memories.
Yanbing Chen
MS in Biostatistics
Yangbing Chen will receive the Public Health Research Award, an honor granted to students in recognition of their excellence in the pursuit of research focused on improving the health of communities around the world. She is recognized for her skills at applying machine learning methods to public health problems, using medical imaging and clinical data. Working under Professor Hai Shu, Yanbing has applied her skills to drive data-based benefits for brain tumor segmentation, generative language models, pediatric dentistry and health equity in medical education.
- Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
- Don’t stress too much! Trust your pace, make use of NYU’s research opportunities, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
- If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
- I’d like to make better use of EHR data to support clinical decision-making; it helps doctors catch issues earlier and personalizes care through smarter data tools.
- What skill or characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
- Confidence to take chances, persistence to keep going, and the ability to connect with others; networking really made a difference.
- Describe one of your favorite NYU memories.
- Honestly, there are too many! But I’ll never forget the friends I made and how welcoming the GPH community felt. It really became a place where I could just be myself.
- What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
- I really love Korean food, so I’d say Ktown. There are so many great restaurants, and I usually go twice a month.
Sarah Crisci
MS in Epidemiology
Sarah Crisci will serve as our Banner Bearer, an honor granted to one student from each NYU school to proudly carry the school’s banner at Commencement, marching with their dean and class representative. During her time at NYU GPH, Sarah has researched adverse event reporting for patients with lupus, and worked with Columbia University’s ICAP Initiative on research related to COVID-19 preparedness. She also served as president of NYU GPH’s Epidemiology Club, wrote for its Journal of Public Health Disasters, and tutored beginning epidemiology students.
- Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
- I have two conflicting pieces of advice. One, to fully take advantage of your time as a student! There are so many amazing opportunities available, not only within GPH but at NYU broadly. And Two, it’s okay to say no! You have to prioritize; you can’t do everything.
- If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
- There are so many, but the most pressing issues today are misinformation and disinformation; both are actively working against public health.
- What skill or characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
- Time management and organization! There is no way I could have studied, worked and gotten involved at GPH without good time management skills.
- Describe one of your favorite NYU memories.
- The course on Behavioral and Communication Strategies for Global Epidemics that I took in Nairobi during my first winter term. I worked with classmates and UNICEF employees on a real issue one of them was facing in her home country of Tanzania. At the end, seven teams presented their strategies to a panel of judges—and my team was the winner! The course would have been just as amazing if we hadn’t won, but that was an exciting end to a fascinating and unique course.
- What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
- My favorite restaurant in the City is Buenos Aires, an Argentinian restaurant in the East Village!
Nora Day
MPH in Public Health Policy and Management
Nora Day will serve as this year's Student Speaker, an honor that represents the student body, reflects the spirit of the graduating class, and personifies public health professionalism. While pursuing her degree, Nora conducted research focused on empowering female-identifying patients with disabilities to advocate for themselves in healthcare settings. She also co-founded the Reproductive Rights Club to educate and mobilize students in support of reproductive health equity.
- Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
- I would tell myself to take it all in: the city, the education, the relationships in and out of the classroom, the work experience ... It’s all so fleeting, and we are so lucky to receive a degree from an institution that is passionate and purposeful about building solutions to public health challenges, and empowering their students to do so as well. Even further, we are learning in what many regard as “the greatest city in the world.” With New York City as your backdrop, anything is possible.
- If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
- It would likely be in connection with reducing global hunger. There are so many challenges that need to be addressed, and individuals face hardship everyday due to things beyond their control. Life is beautiful, while also being incredibly difficult. Sometimes it takes a certain level of ferocity to fight one’s way back to happiness and joy, but the fight is impossible when basic needs, in the form of full bellies, aren't met.
- What skill or characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
- Realism and optimism! Public Health is a field that relies heavily on societal participation and buy-in. Officials need to meet individuals where they are to provide them with the most effective support, and develop politically feasible policy proposals. This can seem daunting, but history shows that public health is worth fighting for—and optimism is the only way to keep hope and joy. Hope is a muscle and joy is not made to be a crumb.
- Describe one of your favorite NYU memories.
- I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to conduct research with Professor Jean Bae. Together, we developed a series of online workshops for women with disabilities to learn self-advocacy skills that can then be applied in healthcare settings. I’ve also enjoyed attending post-class dinners in the Village with classmates, where we discuss a variety of ways in which policy relating to public health could be changed and/or expanded to ensure people are always put first.
- What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
- The Sleeping Cat in Chelsea for an iced vanilla latte and chocolate chip muffin, or St. George Coffee in the West Village for an iced matcha latte and cinnamon buns!
Dr. Priyanka Lanka
MPH in Global Health
Dr. Priyanka Lanka will also receive the Public Health Research Award. She is recognized for her dedication to addressing healthcare disparities utilizing implementation science through contributions to systematic reviews, working on projects in climate resilience with the Global Action for Urban Health lab, and on projects related to correctional health as a family-based justice center fellow at the NYU Marron Institute for Urban Management.
- Think back to your first day as a GPH student; what advice would you give yourself?
- Don’t overthink it; just show up, stay curious and ask questions (even awkward ones). Forge meaningful connections from Day One—your classmates, professors, guest speakers—they’re all part of a network you’ll be glad you built. Some of the best opportunities begin with a simple conversation, especially for my fellow international students. Don’t wait to feel “ready,” just lean in, speak up and let people get to know you.
- If you could solve any public health challenge in the world, what would it be?
- I’d create health systems that don’t just promise access, but actually feel approachable. Too often care is available on paper, but in practice people don’t know where to go, who to ask or how to begin. I’d love to help bridge that gap between access and true usability, through thoughtful implementation that meets people where they are.
- What skill or characteristic was indispensable as you earned your degree?
- Staying calm when things got chaotic—and knowing when to pivot. A well-structured to-do list and time-blocking kept me organized, but flexibility was key. Especially as a mom, I learned to expect the unexpected and adapt without losing momentum. Some days didn’t go to plan, but showing up with intention always carried me through.
- Describe one of your favorite NYU memories.
- The student community at NYU is incredibly welcoming. People are genuinely kind and supportive, and it never felt performative. I made some wonderful friendships here—and honestly, just being around this group made even the most hectic days feel lighter and more fun.
- What's your secret food/beverage/hangout spot in New York City?
- La Colombe Coffee Workshop: a perfect matcha latte, a lively buzz, and just the right kind of background hum to keep you focused. Plus the NYU Wi-Fi still connects, so you’re set for those on-the-go work sessions!