If you’re interested in learning more about all EH programs, check out Rollins’s webpage: Environmental Health
Environmental Health (EH) Track
Academic Interests:
– Social Determinants of Health
– Air, Water, Soil Pollution
– Climate Change
– Policy Solutions
Certificate Program: Social Determinants of Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rollins Election Day Initiative (REDI)
Hi, my name is Shankar Bhat (he/him) and I am a second-year MPH student in the Environmental Health Department. I am completing a certificate in the social determinants of health. I’m especially interested in how pollution and climate change impact low-income communities of color. I love to be actively involved in academics while also hiking, baking, and going out with friends in my free time.
Hello! My name is Jade Bondy (she/her) and I am a first-year MPH Environmental Health student. I am originally from Austin, Texas and attended Trinity University, where I received my B.A. in International Studies with a concentration in global health and B.S. in Biology. In my free time, I enjoy doing art, hanging out in nature, picking up new hobbies, and exploring Atlanta with friends!
Academic Interests:
– One Health
– Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
– Zoonotic Diseases
– Global Poverty
Certificate Program: Infectious Diseases
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rollins Earn and Learn Program (REAL)
Global Environmental Health (GEH) Track
Academic Interests:
– Climate Health
– Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
– Food Insecurity
Extra Curricular Activities:
– GDEH DEI Committee
My name is Erika Canda (she/her), and I am a second-year MPH Global Environmental Health student at the RSPH. I’m an international student from Mozambique, where I lived most of my life. I am interested in learning more about how climate change impacts public health in the Global South and sustainable solutions for safe WASH access. In my spare time, you’ll probably find me in the kitchen baking vegan desserts, exploring local coffee shops, and daydreaming about thrift stores.
Hi there! My name is Rylee Stephenson (she/her) and I am currently pursuing my MPH in Global Environmental Health here at Rollins. I received a B.S. in International Health and Spanish with an emphasis in community development from Clemson University in South Carolina. After graduation, my deployment to Peace Corps Rwanda was delayed so I returned home to Cincinnati, OH to work for the local non-profit Healthy Moms and Babes. I made the difficult decision to defer my Peace Corps deployment and come back to graduate school, which turned out to be the best decision! When I’m not studying, I enjoy spending time with friends, going for walks and exploring all that Atlanta has to offer.
Academic Interests:
– Climate Change
– Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
– Maternal and Infant Health
– Health Equity
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Emory Reproductive Health Association (ERHA)
Academic Interests:
– Infant Health
– Pediatric Clinical Research
– Intersection of Public Health and Clinical Medicine
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Photography
– Pathfinders
Hello everyone! I am Jeavanie Desarmes (she/her), I began my journey to medicine at 15 when I was accepted into Kennesaw State University, pursuing double majors in Biology and Music Education. My dedication led me to delve into impactful research on topics like maternal health and cancer. Beyond academia, I am a committed advocate for diversity and mentorship, and as the founder of the upcoming TheMusicMed Podcast, I aim to inspire others on their path to becoming physicians.
Hello everyone! I am Kosi Achara (she/her), a first year Global Environmental Health student, and a medical practitioner with strong interests in healthcare disparities in the underserved population especially in Africa. I am from Nigeria, I love to travel and I love good food!
Academic Interests:
– Health Equity in Low and Middle Income Countries
– Social Determinants of Health
– Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology
Certificate Program: Social Determinants of Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– FACES for Georgia Pre-Natal
Academic Interests:
– Health Disparities
– Climate Change
– Maternal and Child Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Cycling
I’m Emmanuel Larweh-Lomotey (he/him), a first-year MPH Global Environmental Health student at the RSPH. I’m a medical doctor from Ghana, where I worked extensively with the Obstetrics and Gynecology department. My public health interests lie with the interrelationships that exist between climate change, health disparities and maternal and child health.
Great opportunities keep knocking on my doors at Rollins each day and I’m super excited to be here!
Hello, my name is Leslie Owusu (she/her/hers), and I am a first-year MPH student in the Global Environmental Health department. I am Ghanaian-American and spent most of my life in Ghana, before coming to Emory University where I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Human Health. I loved Emory and my Human Health courses so much that I am now at Rollins further exploring my passions!
Academic Interests:
– Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
– Pesticides and Industrial Contaminants
– Occupational Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Scholars in Action FACES
– Tennis
– Hiking
Environmental Health-Epidemiology (EH-EPI) Track
Academic Interests:
– Food Systems/Security
– Climate Change
– Outdoor Wellness
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rock Climbing
– Ultimate Frisbee
– Emory Reproductive Health Association (ERHA)
– Scholars-in-Action
My name is Caroline Ponticelli (she/her/hers) and I am a second-year environmental health and epidemiology MPH student here at Rollins. I am from Leesburg, Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech in 2021. While at Rollins, I am excited to explore my interests and get super involved in the great community we are lucky to have!
My name is Ben Kessler (he/him/his), and I am a second-year MPH student studying Environmental Health and Epidemiology in the Environmental Health Department. I graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Physiology in 2021, and before coming to Rollins, I worked for an academic-community partnership called the Pediatric Public Health Initiative in my home community of Flint, MI. I love how welcoming Rollins is as a community, and I hope that we can collectively help you find your place in public health!
Academic Interests:
– Metabolic Disease
– Dietary and Environmental Exposures
– Chronic Disease Interventions
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Scholars-in-Action
– Emory Undergraduate Journal Club
Academic Interests:
– Maternal and Child Health
– Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS)
– Psychosocial Stress and Mental Health
– Environmental Health Policy
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Georgia Public Health Association
– Emory University Chorus
– Atlanta Humane Society
Hello, my name is Kat Springer (she/her/hers). I am a second-year environmental health-epidemiology student from the Metro Detroit Area in Michigan. I graduated from the University of Michigan in May of 2022 with a B.S. in Evolutionary Anthropology and a minor in the sociology of health and medicine. My professional interests are where public health research and policy intersect! I love Rollins and all things Public Health so I am looking forward to meeting new students and educating them on our great community!
At Rollins, I currently hold 2 non-REAL positions: as a research assistant for my faculty advisor Dr. Stephanie Eick, where my research is on maternal stress levels, and as the research assistant for the Emory Climate Task Force. I am more than happy to answer more questions about my research or navigating the job market as a student without REAL! In my free time, I enjoy working with my new foster dog and exploring all the fun experiences living so close to Atlanta offers me, from the restaurants on the Beltline to the natural history museum!
Hi, I’m Natalie Hobbs (she/her)! I’m a second year EH-Epi student interested in parasitology and disease ecology. I graduated from the University of West Georgia in May 2022 with a degree in biology. I currently serve as secretary for both SORT and ESOH and I’m a REAL student with the Georgia Department of Agriculture as a food safety intern.
Academic Interests:
– One Health
– Disease Ecology
– Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
– Foodborne/Waterborne Diseases
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Student Outbreak Response Team
– Emory Students for One Health
– Rollins Earn and Learn (REAL)
Academic Interests:
– Infectious Diseases
– Environmental Exposures
– Climate Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rollins Student Government Association (RSGA)
– Rollins Earn and Learn (REAL)
Hi! My name is Cameron Yeo (she/her), and I’m a first-year MPH student studying Environmental Health and Epidemiology. I grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019 with a BS in Biology and minor in Public Health. Before coming to Rollins, I spent about 3 years working in neurological clinical research at Emory. When I’m not studying, I like to listen to live music, play chess, and explore new parts of Atlanta with friends!
Hello! My name is Ethan Pettepher (he/him), I am a 1st year MPH student at Rollins in the Environmental Health- Epidemiology joint program getting a certificate in Infectious Disease Epidemiology. I am is originally from the Atlanta suburbs, went to undergrad at Mercer University in Macon, GA, and just got back from a year abroad in Germany. My research interests involve HIV epidemiology and drug-related neurotoxicology.
Academic Interests:
– HIV/AIDS
– Neurotoxicology
– Vector-Borne Disease
Certificate Program: Infectious Disease
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Student Outbreak Response Team
Rollins Student Ambassadors 