Anton L.V. Avanceña, MS ’14, PhD
Assistant Professor of Health Outcomes at the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas at Austin
“The master’s program helped my career in various ways! It prepared me for my first job after graduate school, which was a research analyst. Through this job, I realized that I wanted to become my own researcher and pursue questions that were interesting to me. My MS degree gave me a competitive edge and I was accepted into a PhD program. Finally, the MS program connected me with peers and mentors with whom I have stayed connected.”
Maeve Forster, MS ’20
Program Manager of STRIPE HIV and H2R at the UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences
“I wouldn’t be working in global health without having gone through the master’s program. I was hired by my mentor to support UCSF’s partnership with the California Department of Public Health to train state employees as COVID-19 disease investigators early in the pandemic. In addition, this degree gave me the foundational education to pivot from construction to global health.”
Neena Joshi, MS ’19
Senior Project Manager, SPHERE and HeaL
“The MS program’s strong foundation in global health, with its rigorous and scientific focus, along with the experience gained from my capstone project, have been invaluable in my policy-focused roles. I am equipped with a unique skill set that allows me to bridge gaps within teams and take on diverse responsibilities and challenges. The program’s emphasis on critical thinking and research has been instrumental in shaping my perspective on global health issues and how I navigate them as a global health professional.”
Kadiatou Koita, MS ’12
Medical Epidemiologist at the Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako; PhD student in Global Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
“The master’s program introduced me to hands-on research experience. Through the capstone project, I designed, implemented and published a research study. The courses equipped me with the fundamental knowledge and skills to conduct research in infectious diseases and to apply those skills in other domains. Because of the program, I was able to land a role that further enhanced my research skills and allowed me to grow professionally and progress in my career.”
Deandra Lee, MS ’21
Health and Racial Equity Senior Community Health Planner at the San Mateo County Health, Public Health, Policy, and Planning Division
“The master’s program introduced me to foundational equity concepts that serve as the primary values of my current role. My knowledge of qualitative and quantitative data analysis from this program has also been valued, as I have been able to lead a community-centered research process to identify and implement a formal structure for community collaboration within our public health department.”
Sabahat Rahman, MD, MS ’18
Resident Physician at University of California San Diego Health
“I wanted to be a doctor for a long time but felt it wasn’t the practice of medicine that intrigued me, but the ability to address health care disparities. Completing this master’s program was the first time I felt in alignment with my passion and allowed me to see I can pursue a career in global medicine and optimize my engagement in health equity. I chose San Diego for my residency to merge my interests in addressing health disparities of displaced populations to my career in medicine and health care delivery.”