Why did you choose biostatistics?

Why did you choose the UW?

The UW is strong in both public health and health administration. My first love is public health, so I wanted to ensure I was associated with an institution with similar values.

Why did you decide to study health administration?

How did you find your way to the UW?

I got my BS in animal science from the University of California, Davis, and then worked in a lab there while taking evening classes to get my MPH. After, and as part of my practicum, I worked for a nonprofit that helped disadvantaged communities to access safe drinking water. For my thesis, I developed a 12-week water justice curriculum for community leaders to learn more about organizing around the topic.

What research are you working on?

My thesis is looking at disaster resilience for older adults in King County. I’m planning to interview senior center directors about how their organizations can support older adults’ health and safety during and after a natural disaster. I’ve also been working with my adviser, Nicole Errett, on a project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that looks at how state laws address public health during disaster recovery.

Ali N’Simbo graduated from the UW with an MPH in Community-Oriented Public Health Practice (COPHP).

Why did you choose the UW?

It has one of the best public health programs in the United States. It’s also a great place to meet people who care about community health.

Why did you choose the COPHP program?

Why go back to school to study nutrition?

I studied nutrition as an undergrad at Boston University. Tuition wasn’t cheap, so I joined the ROTC to pay for school. When I graduated, I went into the Navy and spent six and a half years on active duty. I knew that I wanted to go back to nutrition. It was always the end goal.

What motivates you about public health?

Alicia Yang is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She graduated from the UW with an MPH in Nutritional Sciences.

Why did you decide to get an MPH in nutritional sciences?

Francisco Rios Casas grew up in the Los Angeles sprawl in an area known as Santa Ana. As he spent more time exploring the city during high school, and later at the University of Southern California, Francisco became more aware of the impact the built environment can have on physical and mental health, especially in low-income Latino communities like the one he grew up in.

Military pilots are often responsible for the lives and safety of others, but they, too, face a variety of unique health risks.

Marian Hyatt, a physician in the United States Army, recalls a helicopter pilot who had partial numbness and weakness on the top of his left foot. The condition was most likely due to nerve damage resulting from frequently resting his knee against a lever that controls the ascent and descent of the aircraft.

Helping wounded warriors on the road to recovery

Francis Haegil Kim had only been at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan for three weeks before a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device on base during a Veterans Day 5K. Four Americans were killed and 16 others were injured in the attack.

Nancy Tovar-Garcia graduated with a degree in public health.

What’s your story, how did you get to the UW?

Youssef graduated in 2018 with a degree in Public Health. In 2020, he became a graduate student at Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the UW.

Why did you join the military?

When I was 18, I didn’t have a lot of direction in my life. I call it my “pursuing pleasure phase.” I saw myself going down the wrong path, and decided I needed to change that.

What interests you most about nutrition?

I’m always fascinated by what I learn in my nutrition classes. It's helped me to achieve a positive mindset, and I know that I can use the knowledge I’m gaining to help others.

One of the first classes I took at the UW was Nutrition 200: Nutrition for Today. I was learning things that I could use right after the class ended. 

What would you like to do in the future?

Kate Tokareva graduated in 2019 and is attending the UW School of Medicine.

How did you discover public health?