Research Results

Nayomi Cawthorne

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.

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.

Takreed Ali

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.

Liying Chen, wearing glasses and a green parka, with a waterfall in the background at Yosemite National Park

Finding clarity in numbers and community

Liying Chen, MS ’20, PhD ’26

Michigan Public Health Biostatistics PhD student Liying Chen transforms clinical medicine experience into impactful public health research. Chen harnesses statistics, AI, and big data for cancer, mental health, and substance use, supported by a diverse community and renowned mentorship.