If you’re interested in learning more about all BSHES programs, check out Rollins’s webpage: Behavioral, Social, Health, and Education Sciences
My name is Michael Thomas, but I go by Mike. I was born in a small town of Orange Park, FL but I was raised in Macon, GA. I attended Morehouse College where I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. I am currently pursing my Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Behavioral Science and Health Education at Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. My research interests include environmental justice in marginalized people and how lack of access to mental health facilities affects people of color and LGBTQ+. In my free time I love to read good books, eat good food and hit the skating rink every once in a while!
Academic Interests:
– Minority Mental Health Access
– Environmental Justice
Certificate Program: Mental Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Association of Black Public Health Students (ABPHS)
– Student Outbreak Response Team (SORT)
Academic Interests:
– Built Environment and Food Access
– Social Determinants of Health
– Program Planning
Certificate Program: Social Determinants of Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rollins Student Government Association (RSGA)
– First-Gen Advisory Board
Hi! My name is Dazhanae Houston, and I am a second-year MPH student in the Behavioral, Social, and Health Education (BSHES) department at Rollins. I am originally from southern California, but I spent the last four years at the University of Virginia where I graduated with my B.A. in Global Public Health and minor in African American and African Studies. When I am not studying, I enjoy going on adventures with my friends and family, cooking new recipes, and reading science fiction and romance novels!
Hi! My name is Kaitlene Poblete (she/her/hers) and I am a second-year MPH student in the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences at Emory University, pursuing a certificate in Social Determinants of Health. I’m also a first-generation Filipina from Suffern, New York and earned my undergraduate degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan. I am passionate about advancing health equity and social justice. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, cooking, baking, and staying active.
Academic Interests:
– Policy Implications Research
– Sexual and Reproductive Health and Justice
– Economic Justice
Certificate Program: Social Determinants of Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– RSGA BSHES Representative
– First-Gen Student Advisor
– Graduate Research Assistant at The Center for Reproductive Health Research in the Southeast
Academic Interests:
– Health Disparities that Impact the Black Community
Certificate Program: Social Determinants of Health; Data Science
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rollins Student Government Association (RSGA)
– Association of Black Public Health Students (ABPHS)
My name is Jarvis Richardson. I am a Master of Public Health (MPH) student in the BSHES department at Emory University. I am originally from Stockbridge, GA, and I received my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health Sciences from the Gillings School of Global Public Health. My research interests include health equity, environmental justice, structural racism, and how built environments shape health outcomes in minority communities. In my free time, I enjoy music and hanging out with friends.
Hi! My name is Paige Toth. I am a second-year MPH student in the Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences department. I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Flagler College, and I apply that background to examine how laws and policies affect survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. I am passionate about using data to assess policy effectiveness and inform recommendations that advance equity, justice, and survivor well-being. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the many museums, art galleries, and art festivals Atlanta has to offer.
Academic Interests:
– Domestic Violence Prevention
– Data to Action
– Policy Implications Research
– Law in Public Health
Certificate Program:
– Data Science
– Injury and Violence Prevention
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Emory Reproductive Health Association (ERHA)
– Policy Analyst at Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV)
Hi! My name is Berit Oxley (she/her/hers), and I am a first-year traditional MPH student in the department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences at Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health. I am also pursuing a certificate in Science Communication. I’m originally from Los Angeles, California, and I earned a Bachelor of Science in Global Disease Biology from the University of California, Davis. I am interested in a career in health communication research, particularly studying how social media and AI shape people’s health beliefs and behaviors. In my free time, I enjoy staying active, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with friends.
Academic Interests:
– Health Communication, Behavioral/Social Science Research
Certificate Program:
– Science Communication
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Science Communication For All, BSHES Graduate Research Assistant (REAL)
Hello! My name is Kaushiki Ravi (she/her). I’m a first-year MPH student in the Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences department. I was born in Hyderabad, India, lived in Slough, UK for some of my early childhood years, and moved back to India until I moved to the US for undergrad. I earned my BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and BA in Psychology at Emory University. In my free time, I enjoy dancing (I did belly dancing during undergrad!), trying new coffee shops, growing my Atlanta restaurant list, practicing yoga, and trying new vegetarian/vegan food recipes. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Academic Interests:
– Children’s Health, Chronic Disease, Social Determinants of Health, Empathy/Compassion in Public Health
Certificate Program:
– Data Science
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Secretary for Rollins International Student Advisory Board (RISAB), Graduate Research Assistant (Jeong Research Group), Graduate Research Assistant (CHESS Study), Veterans Association Volunteer (Hackney Lab)
Hi! My name is Isabella Clarke and I am a first-year MPH student in the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, pursuing a certificate in Science Communication. I grew up in South Carolina but I have called Atlanta home for the past four years, as I went to Emory for undergrad and earned a B.S. in Anthropology and Human Biology. When I am not at school, I enjoy reading mystery novels, cooking new recipes, and trying out new restaurants with friends.
Academic Interests:
– Program Evaluation
– Marginalized Communities’ Access to Care
– Health Equity and Social Justice
Certificate Program:
– Science Communication
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Graduate Research Assistant at Georgia Gear
HealthSTAT Volunteer
Hey! My name is Amelia Danko (she/her) and I’m a first year MPH student in the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, pursuing a certificate in Social Determinants of Health. I was born and raised in the Bay Area (Danville, CA) and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2023 with a B.S. in Pharmacology and a minor in English. I am passionate about advancing health equity, Women’s Health, and the health of gender non-conforming people. Outside of Rollins, you can find me reading, running, going to concerts, cooking new recipes, and trying new coffee shops! I am also always looking for new book recommendations 🙂
Academic Interests:
– Sexual and Reproductive Health and Justice
– LGBTQ+ Health
– Community Compensation
– Social Determinants of Health
Certificate Program:
– Social Determinants of Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Recruitment Graduate Research Assistant at Emory Hope Clinic (REAL)
Hi! My name is Vashti Robinson and I am a first-year MPH student in the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, pursuing a certificate in Science Communication. I grew up in Nashville, TN but I have been in Atlanta since my time at Spelman College (C/O ’24) studying Health Sciences. In my free time, I enjoy spending time relaxing, dancing, watching movies, finding good music, and trying new restaurants with my friends.
Academic Interests:
– Sexual Health Education
-HIV
– Health Equity
– Program Implementation/Evaluation
Certificate Program:
– Science Communication
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Graduate Research Assistant (REAL)
– Emory Reproductive Health Association (ERHA)
– Association of Black Public Health Students (ABPHS)
– AmeriCorps
Rollins Student Ambassadors 