Michael Mastrosimone struggled to succeed in college, and he began believing that higher education was not meant for him. Now, he is on track to graduate from the online MPH program in Population and Health Sciences from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He shares the motivations, challenges and moments of revelation that have shaped his path in the field of public health.
Genevieve Amsalem, works to combat environmental health and justice issues in one of the most heavily polluted areas of California. The MPH student details some of the air quality issues this community faces and how environmental justice organizations are working with the public to change policy.
The field of industrial hygiene is a bridge between human workers and the risky environments many must navigate to earn a living, says master’s student Emilio Ronquillo. He is studying industrial hygiene at Michigan to help create safety improvements that protect not only workers but also their families and communities.
Theresa Gorman witnessed firsthand the clean up at Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks and how rescue and recovery workers began to suffer from respiratory problems. She has built a career around ensuring environmental and worker health and urges public health professionals to see their role in disaster preparedness and response.
When Pahriya Ashrap sees people in need, she imagines opportunities to help—whether she’s in an Ann Arbor lab or online with a math mentee on the other side of the world. Her simple, powerful dream of making a positive impact has motivated her on her long road to public health, where she works to build bridges of culture and science.
Zoey Laskaris grew up with people who worked long hours for little pay. When she realized that identifying hazardous conditions in workplaces came naturally to her, she decided to apply her passion and her talents to the field of public health.