Tell us about yourself!

I am a mom, a professor, and a maternal/perinatal health and psychology specialist. I have had my DrPH since 2016 and an IMD (Doctor of Indigenous Medicine) since 2020. My clinical concentrations are in Perinatal Epidemiology and Psychology and my interests are in preventive medicine, tropical medicine and global maternal & infant health including neuropsychology and psychopathology and psychiatric epidemiology. I currently work in Functional Diagnostic Medicine and clinical trauma with new and expecting moms. My passion is to identify and reduce risk factors (both physical and psychological) for adverse outcomes from pre-pregnancy through infancy.

Why did you pursue a DrPH?

I grew up with a strong desire to prevent, promote and protect. I have always been interested in the scientific and clinically applied aspects of diseases and public health issues. After working in both midwifery and behavioral health, I was excited to take on my DrPH and eventually applying epidemiological principles to the development and implementation of psychology and health protocols and health literacy education to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.

What are you currently excited about in your job?

I am an adjunct professor in the public health department and I absolutely love seeing students that are excited to understand diseases and desire to help protect the community’s health. I also work with women at a wellness center and enjoy promoting preventive medicine and healthy lifestyles. I love when they show an interest in the factors that affect health and take an interest in how to protect themselves and their families.

If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?

Adventures in Perinatal Epidemiology and Neurobiology... Because that's my life- full of adventures in mental health, disease, risk reduction and education during the childbearing period

What is something interesting about you that we should know?

The movie Outbreak came out when I was in college- already studying medicine - but I dreamed of working with the CDC. Years later I ended up working for both the CDC and Ft Detrick, and surprised myself that I liked Detrick and military medicine even more, because I learned of all the humanitarian public health initiatives we had. Next up, the WHO!

Tell us about yourself!

I'm currently the Director of Professional Programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. I work closely with the Dean for Academic Affairs to support our certificate, MPH, and DrPH programs. I am in the process of writing my dissertation for my DrPH degree with a concentration in epidemiology. I am exploring the intersection of epidemiology and occupational health concerning infection prevention and control. In my free time, I enjoy reading the classics, listening to podcasts, golfing, and spending time with my wonderful wife and two kids.

Why did you pursue a DrPH?

I grew up in an unpredictable and stressful environment, and education was never a priority. As a first-generation college graduate, I have always felt this drive not to squander the opportunities that were not available to my parents. After receiving my MPH and spending many years working for the government, I wanted to augment my education to impact my community more significantly. The flexibility of the DrPH degree has allowed me to continue my education and balance my professional and personal life while making a difference. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

What are you currently excited about in your job?

Connecting with DrPHers and developing the best DrPH program in the country!

If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?

The Millennial in the Middle: When a lack of self-identity becomes your identity. This title resonates with me because I always have struggled with my identity. Who am I, and who am I supposed to be? It’s taken me over 30 years to realize this, but I am who I want to be, which is enough. It doesn’t matter what society thinks or says I should be. It doesn’t matter what my family thinks or says I should be. I am enough. Period.

What is something interesting about you that we should know?

I was an avid skateboarder growing up. I was consumed by all things related to this extreme sport. I realized I should probably slow down after I fell two stories headfirst down an elevator shaft while trying to pull off a trick on a construction site!

Tell us about yourself!

I hold and MD, MPH and Vaccinology & Pharmaceutical Clinical Development Master Degree. I have 15 years experience supporting governments in LMICs to implement programs aimed at controlling infectious diseases of public health importance. I have also coordinated global clinical development of medical countermeasures for the priority pathogens, including Ebola, CCF, Lassa fever and COVID-19.

Why did you pursue a DrPH?

I enrolled in the DrPH to improve my managerial and epidemiology skills

What are you currently excited about in your job?

I am currently working to develop a yellow fever catch-up vaccination implementation framework to close the immunity gaps in high-risk countries. specifically targeting underserved populations like migrants, refugees, IDPs and seasonal workers across Africa.

If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?

The Adventurer. I am inquisitive and I like breaking barriers.

What is something interesting about you that we should know?

I have lived, studied or worked in Nigeria, Israel, Netherlands, The Gambia, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Norway, France and Switzerland.