UW School of Public Health E-news
November 2010  |  Return to issue home

Public Health's Bright Future

Three hundred fifty-five brand new graduate students are walking the halls of the School of Public Health; join us as five of them talk about their journey.

Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown, Biostatistics
Where did you come from? Why UW?
I'm from Ventura, Calif., and chose to come to UW for the strong biostatistics program. I knew I wanted to work in statistical genetics, so Bruce Weir brought me in early during the summer to work on research before school started, which was just what I wanted. Bruce is a great chair and really takes care of his students—it made a huge difference.

The department says you’re already working on research; how does that feel?
I love working on research and getting a feel for what’s out there. Everyone I've worked with seems to really enjoy their work, and its pretty inspiring.

Most exciting or memorable moment so far?
My most exciting moment was one I had while sitting alone at my desk, working on a programming problem I never thought I could do on my own. I had been sitting there for hours working on this one problem, and I finally got it. I'm pretty sure I screamed.

Any goals you want to share?
As of now, my goals are to devote my life to research and work hard to improve my field.

Archana Shrestha
Archana Shrestha

Archana Shrestha, Epidemiology
What made you choose the UW School of Public Health?
The UW is well-regarded in Nepal, and I had interacted with Professor Fred [Connell of the SPH] when he was on sabbatical in Nepal. I also looked on the School’s website and found the courses it offered very interesting and comprehensive.

What has been your most exciting or memorable moment so far?
Basically, almost everything has been exciting! The most memorable thing is all the help and support I have received from people here. I've felt very welcome.

Do you have any goals you want to share?
I want to complete my M.P.H. and go back to Nepal. I want to contribute in setting up opportunities and learning environment in public health in Nepal.

Katie McDonald
Katie McDonald

Katie McDonald, DEOHS
Where’d you come from? Why UW?
I am a tribal student from the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana, where I just finished a B.S. program in fisheries and wildlife. I'm a Gates Millennium scholar and was attracted to UW as it is one of the few "public ivies." I chose the UW School of Public Health because of the research interests and pedigree of the faculty in the program, in particular those surrounding aquatic toxicology and risk assessment.  My people at home are fish people, and it’s important in my life; UW is a great institution that is close to our homes in the extended Puget Sound and Columbia River Basin.

Most exciting or memorable moment so far?
My most memorable moment so far has been learning to navigate the bus system and public transportation; we don't have many buses in Montana.

My goal for my graduate experience?
I plan to earn an EPA STAR Fellowship and develop a risk assessment model for Tribal traditional/subsistence type lifestyles where culture "as influenced by the natural and human environment" can be quantitatively included and used to demonstrate need for more stringent air, soil and water quality guidelines on Tribal lands.

Christopher Kemp
Christopher Kemp

Christopher Kemp, Global Health, Peace Corps Master’s International
Where’d you come from? Why UW?
I grew up in Seattle but went to Montreal for my undergraduate studies, and I've spent the last two years reconnecting with extended family in New Zealand. I picked the UW because Seattle is now a hub for the global health profession, because the SPH has such fantastic faculty, and because I was dying to move back to the Pacific Northwest. 

Most exciting or memorable moment so far?
Easily the most exciting moment of this whole process so far was last Sunday, having all my closest friends and family in one place to celebrate my marriage to Emily and our plans for the future. The food was pretty good, too.

What and where is your Peace Corps assignment?
I have no idea where I'll be serving in the Peace Corps—only that my work will focus on public health education. Emily and I opted not to rank our favorite regions on our applications, meaning we'll go wherever they place us. I figure we won't find out until they've just about got us on a plane.

Any goals you want to share?
I'd like to leave the SPH with a good idea of where to go next, and with a solid understanding of the strengths and limitations of the global health profession. I hope to find a fulfilling and sustainable research focus. Making a few great UW friends wouldn't hurt, either.

Katherine Blondon
Katherine Blondon

Katherine Blondon, Health Services
You’ve come all the way from Switzerland. Why UW?
My husband, Marc, and I are both M.D.s in Switzerland, and we decided it was time to pursue our training. We chose UW because it had great programs for each of us (Marc is in Epidemiology) and we can continue doing research during this time. I will be doing a fellowship at ISIS, the Institute for Simulation and Interprofessional Studies, as my interest is in clinical reasoning and assessment in medical education. I will be studying how doctors reason in emergency situations, and how collaboration between nurses and doctors influences clinical reasoning. And Seattle is a wonderful, beautiful place that we both loved immediately. (But is there ever a day without rain? ;-)  )

What has been your most exciting or memorable moment so far?
I think my most memorable moment so far has been my eldest son's first day in first grade: I was so proud of Nicolas, going from a tiny school to a place 10 times bigger, making new friends, figuring out how the cafeteria works and the after-school program too! I am also very proud of how my two younger children Emilie (almost 4 years old) and Michael (17 months old) are coping with their childcare programs. Everyone is adjusting to our move—we arrived here about two weeks ago and have been very busy getting settled in and finding furniture and household things. This sure is a very big change for all of us!

Do you have any goals you want to share?
I look forward to my professional training and all the people I will meet and work with; I am also delighted that we can come and discover a whole new way of life.

November 2010  |  Return to issue home

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