We Are Michigan Public Health

We are driven by our collective mission to help people and our resolute passion for problem solving. We are innovators and collaborators; we are thinkers and we are doers. More than 1,300 students, 530 faculty and staff, and 19,000 alumni: Together, we are Michigan Public Health. Join us.

Spotlight

Advancing health equity and environmental sustainability worldwide

Nayomi Cawthorne

Nayomi Cawthorne is a University of Michigan student pursuing master’s degrees in Health Behavior and Health Equity from the School of Public Health and Sustainability and Development from the School for Environment and Sustainability. From urban agriculture to cancer clinical trials access, this CEW+ Margaret Dow Towsley Scholar partners with nonprofits and communities to advance environmental sustainability, food security, and health equity through grassroots collaboration worldwide.

From Kuwait to the UN: Changing public health systems

Farhia Ahmed Mohamed, MPH ’26

Farhia Ahmed Mohamed, an MPH student in Nutritional Sciences, landed a highly selective internship at the United Nations, supporting global evaluation work. From Kuwait to Ann Arbor, her path spans clinical nutrition, cross-border research, AI policy and health equity. Her work is focused on systems change, prevention and evidence-based public health impact.

Working in the heat is deadlier than we thought

Abas Shkembi, MS ’23

Michigan Public Health researcher Abas Shkembi, a PhD student in Environmental Health Sciences, has found that occupational heat deaths may be hundreds of times higher than official records show—between 3,000 and 17,000 annually versus the reported 30 to 60. His research also reveals that low-income workers, minorities and immigrants bear the greatest burden.

Problem-solver is ready to transform consulting

Emily Kraynek, MHSA ’26

University of Michigan School of Public Health MHSA student Emily Kraynek turned her 2025 PwC health transformation internship into a full-time consulting offer. Blending clinical lab work, Houston Food Bank community experience, and Michigan Medicine projects, she gained leadership skills and real-world healthcare systems expertise for a Chicago-based consulting career.

Online MPH degree opening doors that were once closed

Lady Pérez, MPH ’26

Lady Pérez, once denied admission across Florida because of a criminal record, found a path forward at the University of Michigan. Now graduating from the Online MPH in Population and Health Sciences from the School of Public Health, she turns lived experience into public health advocacy—advancing trauma-informed mental health, reentry support and equity.

Senior plans to build career in construction safety

Siena Ellis, BS ’26

University of Michigan School of Public Health senior Siena Ellis, BS ’26, is turning her Public Health Sciences degree into a career in construction safety. After graduation, she will join Clark Construction Group as a safety coordinator in Washington, DC, applying occupational health training to protect workers.

Jason Seekamp with glasses and a dark buttoned shirt

Campus leadership paves way for impactful healthcare role

Jason Seekamp, MPH ’26

On his way to earning an MPH in Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Jason Seekamp has balanced research, leadership and a dean search committee seat during his final year. Learn how the Traverse City, Michigan, native discovered his passion for epidemiology and population health as he prepares to be a project manager for the health information technology firm Epic in Madison, Wisconsin.

Bridging cultures, communities and nutrition one rotation at a time

Takreed Ali, MPH ’26

University of Michigan School of Public Health’s Takreed Ali, a member of the Class of 2026 who is graduating with a Master of Public Health in Nutritional Sciences, blends dietetics training, bilingual community service and research connecting Quranic nutrition references with modern science. A single mother and CEW+ scholar, she’s preparing to tackle health disparities through culturally responsive nutrition and food access.

Chloe Thach with a blue blazer and a white sweater underneath at the School of Public Health

First-generation student finds purpose, community in public health

Chloe Thach, MPH ’26

Chloe Thach, a first-generation student from Cleveland, found her path from medicine to public health after learning how social determinants drive food insecurity and health inequities. At the University of Michigan School of Public Health, she pursued global and community-centered research, policy impact, and mentorship—and will return for a PhD.

Southwest Detroit roots inspire public health journey

Esther Guerrero, MPH ’26

Focused on health behavior, equity, and maternal nutrition, Esther Guerrero, who is earning a Master of Public Health in Health Behavior & Health Equity, transforms lived experience into innovative health communications, advocacy, and leadership—empowering the Detroit community for a healthier, brighter future.