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Latest Episodes:

EP177 Building Research Skills for Community Impact with Whitney Rigodon Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode we speak with Whitney Rigodon, an MPH student specializing in Community Health Science and Practice. Whitney's path began in Brooklyn, where observing high rates of premature death and chronic illness within her local community sparked a desire to address non-communicable diseases and the social determinants of health. She explains how she applies her anthropology background and ethnographic skills—such as analyzing neighborhood dialects and social dynamics—to conduct deep community needs evaluations. Whitney discusses her extensive research involvement at NYU GPH, maximizing her time in the program, including her work with the Applied Global Public Health Initiative (AGPHI) and the Health in All Policies Network. She shares insights from her time as a research coordinator for Safe Futures, focusing on the prevention of child maltreatment. By utilizing the mentor-mentee program and the Resource Expo Fair, Whitney built a technical skillset designed for real-world impact. Ultimately, she shares her dream of creating a future where health resources empower every individual to feel hopeful about tomorrow.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP176 Tanzania Fieldwork: Climate Change and Systems Thinking with Bethel Abraham and Sona Fall Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Master of Public Health students Bethel Abraham and Sona Fall about their study abroad course in Tanzania, which focused on low-cost strategies for waterborne diseases and waste management. We explore their journeys from pre-med backgrounds to public health—Sona's pivot occurred after realizing she could impact lives outside a clinic, while Bethel moved toward systemic change after witnessing the political and healthcare systems affecting children in emergency units. They share how their work with the Applied Global Public Health Initiative (AGPHI) led them to Dar es Salaam. Bethel and Sona detail their work alongside UNICEF and the Ministry of Health, describing an environment where health officials took time off their jobs to learn as equals with students. They discuss the "unlearning" required after their initial focus on malaria and cholera shifted; upon arriving at the Azimio Ward, they found their bus blocked by a massive puddle of standstill water and realized residents prioritized waste management over disease data. By using systems mapping to visualize community outcomes, they pivoted their interventions to address the lack of infrastructure. This episode is a lesson in grounding strategy in empathy and recognizing community members as the experts.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP175 Lead, Literacy, and Livelihoods: Environmental Health Education with Kate Porterfield Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Kate Porterfield (MPH '22), an NYU double-graduate in Global Liberal Studies and Environmental Public Health Sciences, who has navigated a unique career from teaching fifth grade to leading international research. Kate shares powerful stories from her work with Pure Earth, including an investigation into lead poisoning in Ghana, where she details the toxic reality of the Agbogbloshie e-waste dumping ground. This experience, she explains, was the pivotal moment that drove her from desk research to pursuing a Master's of Social Work in clinical practice. She argues that Public Health and Social Work are deeply intertwined. The conversation closes on her core philosophy: that education can be used as a tool for public health by teaching the foundational skill of empathy to achieve meaningful behavioral change. This perspective ensures that every person is seen not as a statistic, but as an individual that matters.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP174 Ten Years of Impact with Dean Melody Goodman and Founding Dean Cheryl Healton Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

In this special 10th-anniversary episode, Dr. Melody Goodman, dean and professor of biostatistics, and Dr. Cheryl Healton, founding dean and professor of public health policy and management, reflect on the decade-long journey of the New York University School of Global Public Health. Dr. Healton shares the initial "spark" that led to the creation of the public health institute, the precursor to the school, and offers insights on identifying and cultivating leadership potential within an organization. Looking ahead, the Deans discuss preparing students for this "critical moment in public health," emphasizing the need for innovation and flexibility. Dean Goodman shares her priorities for the next decade, focusing on curriculum review and enhancing educational offerings. The conversation closes with advice for future leaders and students, stressing the importance of passion and taking advantage of GPH's unique benefits of being situated in New York City.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP173 Unlocking Opportunities in Oral Health Advocacy with Kiran Nagdeo Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we're joined by Kiran Nagdeo, a doctoral student in the Epidemiology department with a background in dentistry. Kiran shares her journey from being a practicing clinician in India for eight years to a leader in public health research, and how the COVID-19 pandemic inspired her to shift her focus from one-on-one patient care to population-level health and advocacy. Kiran details her path to becoming a leader in organizations like the American Public Health Association and the World Federation of Public Health Associations. She emphasizes the crucial role of mentorship and the simple but powerful act of "showing up" to unlock opportunities and accelerate one's professional growth. We also delve into her research at NYU GPH, including a systematic review on the PUFA Index for untreated dental decay and a project on ultra-processed food consumption and dental decay in pregnant females, using data from the NHANES dataset. This episode is a lesson in how passion, persistence, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone can open doors to a meaningful career in public health advocacy.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP172 From Anthropology to Advocacy with Katie Lynch Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Katie Lynch, a doctoral candidate in Social and Behavioral Sciences at NYU GPH, whose work uniquely blends anthropology, public health, and community-based research. Katie discusses her academic journey, from her background in medical anthropology and role as a qualitative methods specialist to pursuing her dissertation. She explains how she brings a unique lens to public health by focusing on human stories and lived experience. She shares insights on her dissertation, which focuses on the intersection of climate change and public health, particularly the long-term impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on different generations in California. Katie also shares how her long-standing passion for Taekwondo has provided her with a unique perspective on resilience and the importance of being present in the moment. This episode is a testament to the power of asking "why" and how curiosity and strong disciplinary training can lead to impactful public health research.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP171 Dean Melody Goodman on Purpose, Passion and Public Health Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Melody Goodman, Dean of NYU's School of Global Public Health, Professor of Biostatistics and a leading research methodologist. Dean Goodman shares her inspiring journey from a career on Wall Street to finding her passion for biostatistics and her purpose at NYU, showcasing the many paths that lead to public health leadership. As a biostatistician, she discusses the power of data to create a narrative and highlights how her commitment to solving community problems directly informs her work at GPH. We delve into her unique, hands-on approach to research, focused on community engagement and ensuring equitable outcomes. The episode also highlights the exceptional student experience at NYU GPH. Dean Goodman shares her philosophy on empowering and mentoring students. Her commitment to working alongside students on projects is a powerful testament to the collaborative and supportive environment that defines an education at NYU GPH.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP170 Building Career Momentum: Unlocking Your Professional Potential Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode we hear from the GPH Student Affairs team about the extensive career resources available to students. Angelica Tirro, Miguel Silva, and Erica Garnes introduce the "GPH career toolkit," a comprehensive set of programs and resources designed to support students from day one, or even before. Discover their unique partnership with the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development, which offers on-site and online career coaching for life. The team also highlights key initiatives like "Career Conversations" with alumni from different industry sectors, and "Learn Togethers" where GPH alumni share their career journeys and offer guidance to current students. They also discuss the "Employer Spotlights" that connect students with employers actively seeking GPH talent, and the ever popular annual Career Expo. The expo is a low-pressure environment for networking with dozens of employers and research labs, and students can get a free headshot to polish their LinkedIn profile. Finally, the team shares valuable advice for students, emphasizing the importance of stepping out of their comfort zone, finding work-life balance, and giving themselves grace on their journey. This episode is a powerful guide to maximizing your GPH experience and using the resources available to prepare for a successful and fulfilling career.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

Browse our Career resources: https://publichealth.nyu.edu/careers

Follow NYU GPH Student Affairs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyugphstudentaffairs

EP169 Navigating the Data Revolution with Nate Maxey Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we speak with Nate Maxey (MS '25), whose career path reflects the versatility and adaptability of public health skills. Nate shares his journey, from being pre-med to falling in love with mathematics and ultimately, biostatistics, which he describes as learning to tell a narrative with data using complicated math. We explore Nate's diverse experiences from New York City's sodium regulation research to a marketing internship with Beats by Dr. Dre, where he conducted qualitative research presenting his findings to executives. Nate also discusses his work analyzing legal policy related to Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws, where he helped create a dataset by reading penal codes. He highlights how his data and research expertise have proven transferable across these varied industries. He emphasizes the crucial role of networking and building authentic professional relationships, and the importance of refining communication and writing skills for any public health professional, noting that good writing sets statisticians apart. Looking ahead, Nate talks about the "big data revolution" and the transformative potential of AI in public health for predicting and preventing both upstream and downstream problems. He also addresses health disparities, discussing how historical research benefited those in power rather than marginalized communities, and stressing the need to center these groups in current research for equitable benefits. Tune in for practical advice on the value of continuous learning, and how to maximize your graduate school experience by applying skills beyond the classroom.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

EP168 The AGPHI Experience: Developing Public Health Leaders with Nene Uwaomah and Haya Srour Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we meet Nene Uwaomah (MPH '25) and Haya Srour (MPH '25), who played key leadership roles in the Applied Global Public Health Initiative (AGPHI) during their time at NYU GPH. We track their academic and professional journeys, from their pre-public health backgrounds—Nene in pre-med and Haya as a dietician—to their hands-on work with communities around the globe. They discuss how AGPHI provides a platform to apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects, shaping global research in places like Zambia and the Middle East. Learn about their impactful work, including Nene's efforts to increase early antenatal care uptake in Zambia and Haya's role in UNICEF's global education program. Nene and Haya both highlight the strong sense of community at GPH and how the faculty and students work together to solve problems. This episode is a powerful testament to how a public health degree can provide the opportunities, skills, and confidence to make a tangible difference in the world.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

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