PhD

Soumik Purkayastha

Finding inspiration at the intersection of public health and data science

Soumik Purkayastha, MS ’21, PhD ’24

A native of India, Soumik Purkayastha, MS ’21, PhD ’24, first made a connection with the University of Michigan School of Public Health in 2005 when he was in fourth grade. Now, Purkayastha will graduate in May with a PhD in Biostatistics from the Department of Biostatistics at Michigan Public Health. After graduation, Purkayastha will join the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant professor in the fall.

Katherine Li, Phd Student in Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health

Passionate Biostatistician Brings Empathy to the Science World

Katherine Li

For PhD student Katherine Li, statistics are not just numbers on a screen but resources to better understand how to improve health. At Michigan, she is combining her health interests and math skills to ensure underrepresented members of the community are included in health and policy decisions.

Enrique Neblett

Infusing Public Health with Psychology to Dismantle Racism

Enrique W. Neblett Jr., PhD

As a trained psychologist working in public health, Enrique Neblett understands the interdisciplinary power of public health. Neblett’s research focuses on the mental health of Black young people, in particular how racism-related stress affects health outcomes.

Lucie Kalousova

Tobacco Control: A Success Story with a Side Story

Lucie Kalousova, PhD ’17

As a doctoral student, Lucie Kalousova knew she needed a dissertation topic that would make a meaningful contribution to improving population health and closing health disparities. The academic rigor and spirit of collaboration she found at Michigan helped her meld public health and social sciences into research that helps mitigate the adverse effects of smoking on minority and low-SES groups.

Ainash Childebayeva

Drilling for DNA: The Unexpected Adventures of a Public Health Anthropologist

Ainash Childebayeva, PhD ’19

Could that researcher in goggles sitting in a lab really be an anthropologist? And how much adventure will they actually have? From the top of the Himalayas and the Andes to the insides of cells, Ainash Childebayeva has combined anthropology, genetics, and public health to uncover secrets of human history and keep today’s vulnerable populations healthy.