In this episode we speak with Dr. Jonathan Purtle, Associate Professor of Public Health Policy and Management at NYU GPH. Dr. Purtle discusses his career path from teaching second grade to becoming a mental health policy researcher. The episode explores mental health policy, implementation science, and the translation of research into effective policy. Specifically, it addresses the challenges of scaling up evidence-based practices and the importance of considering structural determinants like h...
Jun 12, 2025•35 min
In this episode we speak with Jean Bae, Clinical Associate Professor of Public Health Policy and Management. She shares her journey from Harvard Law to shaping public health policy, tackling critical issues like the impact of the Hyde Amendment and evidence-based laws on public health outcomes. Jean provides valuable insights on the intersection of law and public health, the challenges of translating legal frameworks into actionable policies, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration...
May 08, 2025•49 min
In this episode we explore the link between accessibility and public health with Spandita Sarmah (Tandon '23), a human-centered designer whose experience at Google, T-Mobile, and Deloitte focuses on creating a healthier world for everyone. This episode delves into Spandita's journey from software engineering, fine arts, and graphic design to her passion for user research and her advocacy for designing "with," not "for," users. Discover how her work, including the development of a hand gesture re...
Apr 24, 2025•43 min
In this episode, we speak with Natalia De La Viña, an MPH candidate specializing in global health at NYU GPH, and explore the critical topic of health equity for Latin and Indigenous communities. With a background that uniquely blends neuroscience and Spanish, Natalia shares her journey and her commitment to serving these communities, particularly in the transborder region. We'll discuss her experiences as a pre-diabetes educator, addressing chronic conditions like diabetes through patient educa...
Apr 10, 2025•45 min
In this episode, we explore the collaboration between Rimsha Minhaz, an MPH student with a background in dentistry, and Dr. Wilson Wang, a pediatrician, health professional, and founder of WD Home and CEO of World Doctors. Driven by a desire to address disparities in healthcare access—a passion ignited by her experiences in outreach programs in South India—Rimsha pursued a Master of Public Health degree at NYU GPH. It was at NYU GPH that Rimsha's path intersected with Dr. Wang's when she took hi...
Mar 27, 2025•39 min
In this episode we speak with Toluwalase Akinluyi, known as LA, an MPH student studying Public Health Management. We explore her journey from physiotherapy in Nigeria to public health leadership at New York University. LA shares how she transitioned from clinical practice to policy and advocacy, her passion for healthcare management, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. As Vice President of the African Graduate Student Association at NYU, she discusses mentorship, community-building, ...
Mar 13, 2025•39 min
In this episode we speak with Dr. Stephanie Cook, Associate Professor and Director of the Attachment and Health Disparities Research Lab, about the science behind minority stress and resilience. She explains how stress manifests biologically through cortisol regulation, why chronic exposure to social discrimination dysregulates the body’s stress response, and how public health research is using biomarkers like saliva and hair samples to measure these effects. Dr. Cook also highlights the power o...
Feb 27, 2025•24 min
We speak with Emeka Iloegbu, a DrPH student and global health leader with over 15 years of experience in tackling infectious diseases and strengthening health systems. From his early days volunteering with the Red Cross in New York City to playing critical roles in pandemic responses for H1N1, Zika, Ebola, COVID-19, and monkeypox, Emeka has worked at the intersection of laboratory science, public health, and policy. As an assistant professor at CUNY and a United Nations representative, he is eng...
Feb 13, 2025•34 min
In this episode we speak with Dr. Claudia Passos-Ferreira, Assistant Professor of Bioethics, as she explores the mysteries of infant consciousness. Discover how philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience intersect to answer profound questions: Do newborns experience the world like we do? When does consciousness begin? From her groundbreaking research to the ethical implications of her findings, Dr. Passos-Ferreira delves into the early stages of human awareness and its connection to bioethics, pub...
Jan 30, 2025•44 min
In this episode we speak with Wenqing (Sienna) Zhang (MPH '17), a trailblazer in public health and global healthcare innovation. Sienna shares how her passion for medical technology led her from studying pharmaceutical sciences to pursuing a master’s in biostatistics and epidemiology at NYU. She recounts pivotal experiences, including internships at Pfizer and the NYC Department of Health, her role at Medtronic’s first innovation accelerator in China, and her current work at Illumina, where she ...
Jan 16, 2025•40 min
In this episode we speak with Priya Kanayson (MPH '14) whose career has taken her from New York City to Abu Dhabi, where she is now a leader in global health policy. As Director of Advocacy and Communications at the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) and a founding member of the UAE’s Women in Global Health organization, Priya works on innovative strategies to eliminate diseases like malaria, polio, and neglected tropical diseases. She discusses the unique challenges of building a ...
Dec 19, 2024•36 min
In this episode we speak with NYU Wasserman career coaches Meagan Dugan and Gabby Sanes about landing a public health internship, sharing unique, actionable strategies and tactics for students. They discuss how to tailor resumes and cover letters to align with specific job descriptions, including tips on highlighting even unconventional experience—like customer service roles—as transferable skills. The coaches also cover tools like Big Interview, which helps students optimize their resumes for a...
Dec 05, 2024•37 min
In this episode we speak with Dr. Yesim Tozan, Associate Professor of Global and Environmental Health at NYU GPH, whose work explores the intersection of climate change, infectious disease, and health policy. Dr. Tozan shares her unique path from engineering to public health and offers a deep dive into the world of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. She discusses the role of mosquitoes as disease vectors, the rising public health risks due to climate change, and how temperature and r...
Nov 21, 2024•40 min
In this episode we speak with John Pateña, an implementation science specialist at Montefiore Health System and a DrPH candidate at NYU GPH. John discusses his groundbreaking work in global mental health, highlighting the use of task-sharing interventions to empower trusted community health workers in delivering mental health care, particularly in underserved regions. He shares insights from his involvement in the Friendship Bench initiative, which started in Zimbabwe and has been successfully s...
Nov 07, 2024•30 min
In this episode we explore how local data is reshaping public health at the community level. Sarah Taylor (GPH '24), a Local Health Outreach Coordinator at Maplewood Health Department in New Jersey, and Ben Spoer (GPH '19), Program Director at the NYU City Health Dashboard, share how data-driven insights are making a tangible impact in neighborhoods, addressing health disparities, and guiding effective public health interventions. From improving chronic disease management to enhancing community ...
Oct 24, 2024•45 min
In this episode we speak with Dr. Adolfo Cuevas about the hidden health crisis caused by everyday racism and chronic stress. Dr. Cuevas is a leading expert on discrimination and public health, an Assistant Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Deputy Director of the Center for Anti-Racism, Social Justice, and Public Health at NYU GPH. Drawing from his groundbreaking NIH-funded research, Dr. Cuevas reveals how discrimination accelerates aging, fuels obesity, and leads to chronic dis...
Oct 10, 2024•41 min
In this episode we speak with Dr. Jack Caravanos, a renowned expert in environmental health, to uncover the hidden threats that pollution poses to public health. From lead and mercury contamination to the long-lasting effects of industrial waste, Dr. Caravanos reveals how these invisible toxins infiltrate our everyday lives and the global food chain. We explore the ongoing challenges of cleaning up the environment, the unexpected risks in consumer products, and what we can do to protect our heal...
Sep 26, 2024•37 min
Join us as we chat with Matilda Melkonian (GPH '24) and Issy Torney (MPH student), Health Promotion Assistants at NYU's Student Health Center. Discover the extensive resources available to students, including the innovative "Texts to Inspire" program, which offers confidential, motivational texts to support well-being. Matilda and Issy provide essential insights on navigating student health services, overcoming insurance complexities, and fostering community. Perfect for new students and those s...
Sep 12, 2024•27 min
Join us as we speak with Leroy Akoto, an MPH student studying Public Health Policy and former personal trainer turned public health advocate. Leroy shares how his early experiences in fitness and nutrition sparked a deep passion for helping others, ultimately leading him to pursue sociology and public health. We explore his commitment to addressing social stratification, criminal justice reform, and mental health, particularly within marginalized communities. Leroy also discusses his creative si...
Aug 29, 2024•33 min
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Zoe-Marie Mongbet-Lamare, Master of Public Health student concentrating in Social and Behavioral Sciences. From her childhood dreams of becoming a pediatrician to leading medical drives in Cameroon, Zoe-Marie's journey is a testament to resilience and dedication. Learn how she overcame learning disabilities, tackled imposter syndrome, and leveraged community and family support to drive meaningful change. Zoe-Marie shares her story, insights on public he...
Aug 14, 2024•38 min
In this episode we explore the transformative journey of Master of Public Health students Natalia Ramon and Lee-Ann Lugg. They share their immersive experience in Nairobi, Kenya, where they partnered with UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) and Strathmore Business School (SBS) for a unique study abroad course called Behavioral Communication Strategies for Global Epidemics (BCSE) led by Drs. Chris Dickey (NYU GPH), Ben Ngoye (SBS), and Erma Manoncourt (NYU GPH, ex-UNICEF). ...
Jul 31, 2024•40 min
In this episode we explore the transformative experiences of Abena Dinizulu and Stephanie Perez, two distinguished participants of the Pathways into Quantitative Aging Research (PQAR) program. They share their journeys through this rigorous six-week program, discussing how it equipped them with vital research skills, fostered professional growth, and created new opportunities in public health. Abena and Stephanie reflect on their unique paths and the program's impact on their careers, offering v...
Jul 18, 2024•24 min
Join us as we welcome Dr. Mark Jit, the new chair of the Department of Global and Environmental Health at NYU GPH. Dr. Jit, a leader in infectious disease modeling and vaccine policy, shares his vision for the department's future. In this episode, Dr. Jit discusses the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global health challenges such as pandemics, climate change, and emerging diseases. He highlights how integrating diverse fields—from mathematics to social sciences—can cr...
Jun 26, 2024•18 min
In this episode we speak with Gilwoo Lee, an innovative entrepreneur and founder of Zordi, a company revolutionizing agriculture with autonomous greenhouses. With an impressive academic background in AI, robotics, and computer science, Gilwoo shares her journey from working in the movie industry to founding a startup that addresses public health and nutrition challenges through sustainable, tech-driven farming solutions. Discover how Gilwoo's passion for problem-solving and sustainability drives...
Jun 12, 2024•53 min
In this episode we speak with Cat Hartwell MPH '21, a former film and television professional who transitioned to a career in public health. Cat discusses her fascinating journey from producing documentaries for VH1, National Geographic, and Netflix, to earning her Master of Public Health at NYU. Now a research coordinator at the University of Washington, she shares how she leverages her media skills in her public health work, focusing on climate change, disaster preparedness, and environmental ...
May 29, 2024•42 min
In this episode we explore John Meade's journey as a passionate public health advocate. An adjunct professor at NYU GPH, John discusses his career trajectory from working in HIV clinics in South Africa to engaging in community health initiatives with the Peace Corps in Peru. John discusses the societal impacts of health, the challenges of HIV stigma, and his ongoing commitment to health equity. Working with AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC), he focuses on ensuring the ethical development of...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Brennan Rhodes-Bratton, a researcher focused on health inequities at the intersection of gentrification, food systems, and maternal child health. As a Postdoctoral Associate at the Center for Anti-racism, Social Justice, and Public Health at NYU GPH, Brennan discusses her transition from aspiring physician to public health advocate. She shares how her childhood diet influenced her interest in nutrition and details her research on how societal structures, such a...
Apr 18, 2024•26 min
We speak with Nura Anwar (MPH 2020), Director of Diabetes Prevention and Pediatric Initiatives at NYC Health + Hospitals. Nura's journey from psychology and dance to leading public health initiatives showcases her innovative approach to tackling health disparities. Through her advocacy work, she highlights the critical role of policy in shaping equitable health outcomes and emphasizes the importance of community-centric health strategies. Nura offers valuable insights into guiding future public ...
Apr 03, 2024•35 min
In this episode we speak with PhuongThao (PT) Le, a public health researcher with a focus on improving the wellbeing of marginalized communities globally. Born in Vietnam and later moving to the United States, PT's unique background has significantly influenced her approach to public health. PT discusses her journey from a childhood in post-war Vietnam to becoming a public health professional, emphasizing her work on psychosocial support for trafficked women, maternal and child health, and menta...
Mar 27, 2024•33 min
In this special episode brought to you by the NYU Wasserman Career Center, join Meagan Dugan and Gabby Sanes as they tackle real career questions submitted by public health undergraduate and graduate students. With their extensive experience in career coaching, they provide practical advice on job search tactics, networking methods, interview preparation, crafting impactful resumes, salary negotiation, setting career goals and more. This podcast serves as a resource for public health students ai...
Mar 20, 2024•1 hr 8 min
