If you’re interested in learning more about all EH programs, check out Rollins’s webpage: Environmental Health
Environmental Health (EH) Track
Academic Interests:
– OneHealth
– Zoonotic Illnesses
– Vector-Borne Illnesses
Certificate Program: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
Extra Curricular Activities:
– REHAC
– APIDA
Hi! My name is Marisa, and I am an MPH student concentrating in Environmental Health. I’m originally from San Jose, California and went to Santa Clara University (SCU) where I studied public health and environmental science. After graduating, I briefly worked at Pharmacyclics as an Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability intern assisting with audit preparations and preparing a sustainability report. Then, I became an Environmental, Health, and Safety consultant with Environmental Resources Management (ERM), where I supported a high-tech client with their environmental management system and occupational health and safety programs.
I hope to discover more about the relationship between urbanization and the increase of One Health issues. In my spare time, you can find me playing with my cats, trying out new foods, traveling up and down the east coast, and napping! I am excited to get to know you and help you navigate your Rollins experience 😊
Hello, my name is Erick Ojeda, and I am a first-year Environmental Health MPH student at Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and I completed my undergraduate degree in pre-professional biology at the University of Florida. Before coming to Rollins, I had done prior reproductive biology and genetic research at the College of Veterinary Medicine and did some prior research training at the McKnight Brain Institute.
I currently work as a clinical research coordinator at Grady Hospital as part of the ANCHOR study using models on individuals with treatment of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial (HSIL) lesions regarding incidence of anal cancer and comparing to those without treatment on HSIL. I also work in the College of medicine at Emory as a graduate research specialist in viral genomics and qPCR analysis regarding Powassan virus diversity and how it affects humans. In my free time, I like to travel (locally and internationally), baking, cooking, reading, singing, and painting.
Academic Interests:
– Microbiology/Immunology
– Virology
– Infectious Disease Ecology
– Molecular Genetics/Epigenetics
– Bacterial Pathogenesis
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rollins International Student Association DEI Officer
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 first-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.
Global Environmental Health (GEH) Track
Academic Interests:
– Climate Change
Certificate Program: Climate and Health
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rollins Student Government Association (RSGA)
– Orientation Coordinator
Hello! My name is Sophia Lamb and I am a first year MPH student in Global Environmental Health. I am originally from Los Angeles, California but received my undergraduate degree in Language & International Health at Clemson University in South Carolina. Before attending Emory, I worked as an English teacher in Costa Rica until the pandemic hit, and then got a position as an AmeriCorps Health Fellow working at a community health center in the Bay Area of California.
As a student at Emory, I am currently most interested in how climate change affects human health and am pursuing a certificate in climate and health. I also hold a REAL (Emory work-study) position as a communications graduate assistant with the Georgia Climate Project. Outside of Rollins, I am involved with my sorority’s alumnae chapter in Atlanta. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, hiking, doing yoga/Pilates, and trying new things.
Hi! My name is Dania. I am a second-year MPH student in the department of Global Environmental Health. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2021.
At Rollins, I am currently involved in research at the LEADER lab with Dr. Barr. Outside of Rollins, I am a tele scribe with ScribeAmerica and a COVID-19 contact tracer with Pueblo Department of Public Health. My favorite part about Rollins is the strong sense of community and that there are so many ways to combine and explore your interests at both Rollins and Emory. During my free time, I like hanging out with friends, cooking, hiking, and doing paint by numbers. I am really excited to share my Rollins and Atlanta experiences with you!
Academic Interests:
– Climate Change
– Health Equity
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 first-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)
Environmental Health-Epidemiology (EH-EPI) Track
Academic Interests:
– Air Pollution
– Cancer
– Disability
– Exposure Science
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rollins Student Government Association (RSGA)
– Scholars-in-Action
– American Cancer Society Volunteer
Hello! My name is Sabrina Chow and I’m a second-year Environmental Health-Epidemiology MPH student within the Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health here at Rollins. I was born and raised in Naperville, IL and graduated from Brandeis University in 2021 with a B.S. in Health: Science, Society, and Policy and biology. During my time in undergrad, I became passionate about bridging the gap between research and policy, specifically within the realm of environmental health and disability.
At Rollins, I do research looking at the effects of air pollution on health and cancer-related outcomes utilizing environmental metabolomics methods. I also do disability policy-related work through the National Association for City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) as a Health and Disability Fellow. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, doing community service work, traveling, and exploring Atlanta!
Hi everyone! My name is Kelly Falcone and I’m a second-year Environmental Health and Epidemiology MPH student at Rollins. I’m originally from NYC and I graduated from Furman University in Greenville, SC in May 2021 where I majored in Public Health and minored in Environmental Studies.
I currently hold a REAL position as a health communications intern with the Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy at CDC. My public health interests include infectious diseases and surveillance (particularly food and waterborne) and health communications. In my free time, you can find me exploring Atlanta with friends!
Academic Interests:
– OneHealth
– Infectious (Food and Waterborne) Diseases
– Disease Surveillance
– Health Communications
– Food Safety
Extra Curricular Activities:
– Rollins Student Government Association (RSGA)
– Emory Students for One Health
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 first 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 first-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 first-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!
Rollins Student Ambassadors 