I AM GPH

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Daniel Fogal, Assistant Professor of Bioethics at NYU GPH, about his course Advanced Introduction to The Ethics of Technology. Dr. Fogal shares his journey from a philosophy undergraduate degree to joining the NYU Center for Bioethics, mapping how the discipline has expanded beyond traditional doctor-patient relationships and research ethics to address broader po...

In this episode, we explore the power of the 4+1 Program at NYU GPH, an accelerated pathway that allows students to earn both their undergraduate and master's degrees in just five years. We are joined by Nehanda Akili, an MS Biostatistics student, and Anthony Escamilla, a pre-PA undergraduate at Gallatin who is on track to pursue the Community Health Science and Practice concentration during the M...

In this episode, we explore environmental public health with Dr. Abrania Marrero, a clinical assistant professor, and Master of Public Health student Chloe Dourmashkin. Both guests were drawn to NYU GPH for its interdisciplinary approach and its location in New York City, which offers access to major health organizations and diverse urban ecosystems. Dr. Marrero discusses her research on climate c...

In this episode, we speak with Gail Viaje (MPH '24), an international student from the Philippines who shifted from a pre-med track at Fordham to Community Health Science and Practice (CHSP). Gail explains how the I AM GPH podcast served as her initial window into the program. She describes the benefit of GPH's teaching excellence, specifically how Dr. David Abrams and Dr. Joyce Moon Howard helped...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jo Ivey Boufford and Reilly Fitzpatrick (MPH/MSW '23) about the power of student-faculty connectivity. Reilly discusses her transition from a biology background and Peace Corps service in Zambia to NYU's dual-degree program, where she sought to combine clinical social work skills with the macro-scale impact of public health. Dr. Boufford, a practitioner with deep...

In this episode, we speak with PhD student Kofi Agyabeng and Master's student Fred Lei to discuss how they bring together the worlds of mathematics, economics, and public health. Kofi shares his journey from Ghana, where a national service posting at the University of Ghana School of Public Health served as an inflection point, leading him to realize he could impact population health through data...

In this episode we speak with Whitney Rigodon, an MPH student specializing in Community Health Science and Practice. Whitney's path began in Brooklyn, where observing high rates of premature death and chronic illness within her local community sparked a desire to address non-communicable diseases and the social determinants of health. She explains how she applies her anthropology background and et...

In this episode, we speak with Master of Public Health students Bethel Abraham and Sona Fall about their study abroad course in Tanzania, which focused on low-cost strategies for waterborne diseases and waste management. We explore their journeys from pre-med backgrounds to public health—Sona's pivot occurred after realizing she could impact lives outside a clinic, while Bethel moved toward system...

In this episode, we speak with Kate Porterfield (MPH '22), an NYU double-graduate in Global Liberal Studies and Environmental Public Health Sciences, who has navigated a unique career from teaching fifth grade to leading international research. Kate shares powerful stories from her work with Pure Earth, including an investigation into lead poisoning in Ghana, where she details the toxic reality of...

In this special 10th-anniversary episode, Dr. Melody Goodman, dean and professor of biostatistics, and Dr. Cheryl Healton, founding dean and professor of public health policy and management, reflect on the decade-long journey of the New York University School of Global Public Health. Dr. Healton shares the initial "spark" that led to the creation of the public health institute, the precursor to th...

In this episode, we're joined by Kiran Nagdeo, a doctoral student in the Epidemiology department with a background in dentistry. Kiran shares her journey from being a practicing clinician in India for eight years to a leader in public health research, and how the COVID-19 pandemic inspired her to shift her focus from one-on-one patient care to population-level health and advocacy. Kiran details he...

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 p...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Melody Goodman, Dean of NYU's School of Global Public Health, Professor of Biostatistics and a leading research methodologist. Dean Goodman shares her inspiring journey from a career on Wall Street to finding her passion for biostatistics and her purpose at NYU, showcasing the many paths that lead to public health leadership. As a biostatistician, she discusses t...

In this special episode we hear from the GPH Student Affairs team about the extensive career resources available to students. Angelica Tirro, Miguel Silva, and Erica Garnes introduce the "GPH career toolkit," a comprehensive set of programs and resources designed to support students from day one, or even before. Discover their unique partnership with the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development...

In this episode we speak with Nate Maxey (MS '25), whose career path reflects the versatility and adaptability of public health skills. Nate shares his journey, from being pre-med to falling in love with mathematics and ultimately, biostatistics, which he describes as learning to tell a narrative with data using complicated math. We explore Nate's diverse experiences from New York City's sodium re...

In this episode, we meet Nene Uwaomah (MPH '25) and Haya Srour (MPH '25), who played key leadership roles in the Applied Global Public Health Initiative (AGPHI) during their time at NYU GPH. We track their academic and professional journeys, from their pre-public health backgrounds—Nene in pre-med and Haya as a dietician—to their hands-on work with communities around the globe. They discuss how AG...

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...

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 translat...

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 desig...

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 exper...

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...

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 Presiden...

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 bi...

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...

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....