Student Experience

Ally ClonchPhD, Environmental Health SciencesHometownNorth Wilkesboro, NCFuture plansBecoming a teaching professor at a public university.“Environmental health straddles two of my passions: protecting our natural world, and protecting and improving the health of communities.”

This summer, I embraced the UW EarthLab’s mission to “push the boundaries” as an EarthLab intern with the Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHanGE).

Jorge Rivera-GonzalezPh.D., Environmental Health Sciences (Industrial Hygiene and One Health)HometownPuerto RicoFuture plansPursuing a career as an Environmental Health Officer.

Sean AtijeraBS, Environmental Public HealthHometownMill Creek, WA“Our department wants us to be ready for our careers. It’s a small program, but they do put a lot of effort into preparing us.”- Sean Atijera

Kailee (Kai) SisounthoneBS in Environmental Public HealthHometownPasco, WAInternship withSeattle City Light

Maegan ChuaBS in Environmental Public HealthHometownKetchikan, AKInternship with:Public Health – Seattle & King County

Orhan EribacApplied MS, Environmental Health SciencesHometownRoswell, GAFuture plansWorking at the intersection of public health and culture, perhaps with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.“It was the perfect blend of human and environmental health for me.”

I was born and raised in Morton, Washington, a small rural town near Mount Rainier whose local economy is primarily supported by lumber mills. I completed my undergraduate degree at the UW, where I initially wanted to study biology. After taking my first environmental health class, I was hooked and decided to study environmental and occupational health.

Kaidan St LouisBS in Environmental Public HealthHometownLoveland, COInternship with:WM

Our annual Graduation and End of Year Celebration is a time to celebrate and reflect on the dedication and years of commitment our students have devoted to their studies to become leaders in advancing health equity around the world. 

The same geologic forces that shaped Washington state hold the potential to devastate the Pacific Northwest. This reality necessitates thorough disaster planning to prepare the region to mitigate, respond to and recover from future catastrophes.

Nell ThompsonBS, Environmental Public HealthHometownLynnwood, WAFuture plansGetting a master's of public health.“The learning opportunities I've had at UW have been really inspiring.”- Nell Thompson

Joey TeresiMS, Environmental Health SciencesHometownChannahon, ILFuture plansAn environmental health or public health career in the public sector.“I’ve been lucky to have advisers in DEOHS that help me set lofty goals and meet those goals.”- Joey Teresi

Migration to King County has grown over the years, in part due to the boom of the tech sector. As housing prices have risen, public health researchers want to know how this has affected internal displacement within the county, especially for low-income households.

The University of Washington School of Public Health (UW SPH) continues to offer some of the best public health graduate education in the country, according to the 2024 rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. UW SPH ranked No.

 

For University of Washington School of Public Health alum Rachel Shaffer (MPH, ’18, PhD, ’20), the notion of public health has always been present.

 

Despite efforts to stamp it out, tuberculosis (TB) is still one of most deadly infectious diseases worldwide, leading to 1.5 million deaths a year. Part of the challenge in combating this preventable, treatable disease is that only about half to two-thirds of people with TB are diagnosed. The other third often don’t know they are sick and can spread the disease.

The UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS) recently changed the name of our Bachelor of Science degree to Environmental Public Health.

2023 has been a year of community resilience for the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences (DEOHS). Together with many partners, our students, faculty and staff spearheaded projects to help Pacific Northwest communities respond and adapt to extreme heat, flooding, wildfire smoke and other impacts of climate change.

John Lykins Applied MS, Environmental Health Sciences Hometown Midland, OH Future plans A career as an industrial hygienist in the maritime industries. “I want to find solutions that have a minimal impact on people’s workflow while providing maximum protection for workers.”

Enrolling now for winter quarter: Environmental Health 111, our introductory class  

Aesha Mokashi MS, Environmental Health Sciences Hometown Portland, OR Future plans Working as an environmental health scientist with King County and internationally.

Christopher Alawode MPH, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Hometown Rancho Cucamonga, CA Future plans Working as an Occupational Medicine physician, perhaps in a rehabilitation center.

Mariam Assaad MPH, Environmental Health Sciences Hometown Brazil and Lebanon Future plans Utilize my degree to create a healthier environment and safer workplaces. “I am grateful for the hands-on experiences, the lessons I’ve learned, and the meaningful connections I’ve built.”

Miguel Rojas-Flores Applied MS, Environmental Health Sciences Hometown Merced, CA Future plans After graduation this fall, I plan to move back home to California’s Central Valley and pursue a teaching credential to serve the communities where I grew up.