Faculty Results

Farhia Ahmed Mohamed

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.

Abas Shkembi

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.

Siena Ellis

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.

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.

Anand Parekh

Alumnus Dr. Anand Parekh named inaugural chief health policy officer

Veteran policy expert brings decades of federal experience to Michigan Public Health

When Anand Parekh, BA, MPH ’02, MD, was selected as the University of Michigan School of Public Health’s inaugural chief health policy officer, it wasn't just a new job—it was a homecoming that represented the culmination of a remarkable career dedicated to transforming public health.

Devon Payne-Sturges

Championing change in environmental health science policy

Devon Payne-Sturges

Devon Payne-Sturges, professor of Environmental Health Sciences and University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, has never been one to shy away from complex or controversial environmental health issues—she embraces them head-on. In fact, her pursuit motivated her to change careers, go back to school, and ultimately make her way to Ann Arbor after a distinguished career on the East Coast.