Research Results

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.

Owen Chun

CDC Scholar combines microbiology and public health through leadership

Owen Chun, BS ’26

University of Michigan senior Owen Chun earned a CDC John R. Lewis Scholarship, taught himself database coding to help communities access HIV resources, and leads 80 students in public health advocacy. Discover how this dual-degree student combines microbiology and public health through research, leadership and community engagement.

Sophia Steinert

Extending an internship into a yearlong learning experience

Sophia Steinert, BA ’26

Senior Sophia Steinert, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Community and Public Health, extended her summer healthcare internship into a year-long opportunity and secured another position for next summer. Learn how the public health student's proactive approach to internships and early planning is building her career in healthcare administration before graduation.

Hannah Rice

Expanding horizons: Finding career success in unexpected public health role

Hannah Rice, MPH ’25

Hannah Rice, MPH '25, navigated a challenging job market to find meaningful work addressing health disparities in managed care. Her University of Michigan School of Public Health education in Health Behavior and Health Education, combined with coursework in implementation science and health insurance, prepared her for unexpected career opportunities in St. Louis.

Halimat Olaniyan

How public health shaped a doctor's world view

Halimat Olaniyan, BS ’19

Halimat Olaniyan was among the first students in Michigan Public Health’s undergraduate program. Now finishing her medical residency in pathology, she credits her public health education with shaping her worldview and career path toward transfusion medicine, health equity, and preventing illness rather than just treating disease.