I AM GPH

In this episode, we speak with Dr. William Rom, Research Professor and Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and faculty at the NYU School of Global Public Health, about his extraordinary career spanning pulmonary medicine, environmental science, and climate policy. Dr. Rom shares how a childhood spent in nature, wilderness guiding in Minnesota's Boundary Waters, and a 1,517-mile canoe expedition across Canada laid the foundation for his life's work in environmental health. He reflects on key milestones in public health history, including organizing a symposium for the inaugural Earth Day in 1970, conducting groundbreaking research on asbestos and lung cancer biomarkers, and leading clinical responses to the TB and HIV epidemics at Bellevue Hospital and World Trade Center dust exposures after 9/11. Highlighting NYU GPH's commitment to world-class faculty mentorship, Dr. Rom discusses establishing the William N. Rom Climate Change and Health Fellowship to prepare the next generation of leaders to tackle existential challenges like global warming, environmental policy, and air pollution. 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.

In this episode, we speak with Ami Fall (MPH '26) about her work in Senegal and her focus on equity-driven maternal and child health solutions. Ami details her Applied Practice Experience in the district of Kébémer, Senegal, where she partnered with the Baobab Institute for Health and Development and leveraged the Changemaker Fellowship to assess and support the Diokoul Diawrigne Health Post. Rooted in ties to her community, Ami collaborated directly with local leaders, midwives, and neighboring villages to identify infrastructure, supply chain, and transportation barriers. Working alongside the Afya Foundation and utilizing documentary filmmaking as a qualitative research method, Ami helped address these needs by bringing vital medical supplies directly to the region. Ami reflects on her journey from growing up with roots in Senegal to pursuing her degree at NYU GPH, and shares how GPH's global focus, flexible academic pathways, and small-school atmosphere allowed her to collaborate closely with faculty mentors and turn research into tangible action.

We speak with Gurvir Singh Sidhu, a Master of Public Health and Master of Public Administration dual-degree student, about his journey from grassroots organizing to high-impact health policy advocacy. Gurvir shares how his early work with a tobacco prevention coalition in Bakersfield, California, sparked a passion for health education, city council advocacy, and built-environment policy. He discusses his transition to New York to leverage NYU GPH's global health program, connections with the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and proximity to major global health and policy entities in the city. Gurvir details his work as a program manager for the Highland Health Access Initiative, designing a rural healthcare hub in Sullivan County from the ground up, as well as his leadership in co-founding the Health in All Policies Advocacy Network (HAPAN) to address New York City food equity and access. He reflects on the concept of decolonizing public health by centering community voices, the support of faculty mentors and family, and his work with the Sikh Coalition.  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.

In this episode, we speak with Brooke Rezvani (BS '26) and Annabelle Swigert (BS '26) about their interdisciplinary research project, "Chemical Exposures in Nail Salon Workers in the US". Brooke and Annabelle detail their fieldwork investigating the occupational hazards faced by salon workers across local New York City neighborhoods, focusing on volatile organic compound (VOC) exposures, and examine the long-term health outcomes of these exposures, ranging from respiratory irritation to reproductive health risks and miscarriages. Their research also highlights the systemic barriers that leave this vulnerable workforce unprotected. Brooke and Annabelle demonstrate how classroom training in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and social science translates into hands-on field experience in downtown Manhattan. Brooke shares insights from her internships with March of Dimes, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, and NYU Langone Health that shaped her trajectory toward maternal-fetal health, while Annabelle details her background with health tech startups, European health innovation through EIT Health, and her upcoming graduate studies at Sciences Po. This conversation highlights how GPH's faculty mentorship, teaching excellence, and location in NYC empower undergraduate students to look beyond "band-aid solutions" and investigate root-cause public health challenges on both local and global scales.

In this episode, we speak with Cheyenne Sewell (MPH '25) about the power of interpersonal communication and qualitative research in public health. Cheyenne discusses her transition from an anthropology background into community health science, highlighting how public health extends beyond the numbers to embrace human stories and build rapport with local populations. During her fieldwork in Dr. Moon Howard's Assessing Community Health Needs course, she collaborated with the Southeast Queens Residential Environmental Justice Coalition (SQREJC) to conduct door-to-door surveys on ongoing flooding issues. Cheyenne reflects on balancing a rigorous academic schedule with two part-time jobs at NYU Tandon and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, study groups, and faculty mentorship. Looking toward the future, Cheyenne shares her passion for maternal health and her work toward becoming a certified postpartum doula through DONA International. This episode highlights how GPH's flexible academic pathways and location in New York City empower students to translate classroom learning into hands-on field experience and community 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.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Daniel Fogal, Assistant Professor of Bioethics at NYU GPH, about his course Advanced Introduction to The Ethics of Technology. Dr. Fogal shares his journey from a philosophy undergraduate degree to joining the NYU Center for Bioethics, mapping how the discipline has expanded beyond traditional doctor-patient relationships and research ethics to address broader population-level challenges. We dive into complex global issues, including the allocation of scarce medical resources and the modern ethical implications brought on by the rise of social media and artificial intelligence self driving vehicles. Dr. Fogal discusses his passion for teaching applied, controversial issues in the classroom, explaining how he leverages the diverse perspectives of his students to help them think more clearly, carefully, and critically. This conversation highlights NYU GPH's unique interdisciplinary expertise and teaching excellence, showing how grounding public health issues in ethical frameworks equips students to navigate tomorrow's scientific and technological challenges. 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.

In this episode, we explore the power of the 4+1 Program at NYU GPH, an accelerated pathway that allows students to earn both their undergraduate and master's degrees in just five years. We are joined by Nehanda Akili, an MS Biostatistics student, and Anthony Escamilla, a pre-PA undergraduate at Gallatin who is on track to pursue the Community Health Science and Practice concentration during the MPH year of the program, to discuss how this program provides a competitive edge for future healthcare leaders.  Nehanda shares her journey from NYU Gallatin's individualized study-where she concentrated on the intersection of fascism and public health—to mastering data science and R coding. She discusses the importance of GPH's flexibility, which allowed her to balance 18-credit semesters while serving as President of the Black Women's Health Collective. Anthony, an EMT and President of the Latino Pre-Health Society and Central Americans For Empowerment, explains how the program allows him to connect public health, cultural identity, and patient care, bridging the gap between social theory and clinical practice.  From navigating the application process to utilizing the ecosystem of faculty support, Nehanda and Anthony offer a roadmap for students looking to maximize their time at NYU. This conversation highlights how the 4+1 Program turns academic ambition into real-world impact. 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.

In this episode, we explore environmental public health with Dr. Abrania Marrero, a clinical assistant professor, and Master of Public Health student Chloe Dourmashkin. Both guests were drawn to NYU GPH for its interdisciplinary approach and its location in New York City, which offers access to major health organizations and diverse urban ecosystems. Dr. Marrero discusses her research on climate change and nutrition in small island states, specifically the Caribbean. She explains how the "nutrition transition"—a shift toward ultra-processed foods—interacts with climate volatility to impact cardiometabolic health. Chloe shares her path from anthropology to public health, a move inspired by meeting the whistleblower from the Flint, Michigan water crisis. The conversation highlights the teaching excellence at GPH, where students move beyond lectures to build in-demand professional skills. Chloe describes a course project using an "air quality calculator" to translate particulate matter data into the number of cigarettes a person effectively smokes, while Dr. Marrero emphasizes the importance of building conceptual frameworks to visualize complex health problems. By utilizing the diversity of backgrounds within the classroom, GPH prepares students to become effective science communicators who can advocate for policy changes and lead in a rapidly changing global environment. 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.

In this episode, we speak with Gail Viaje (MPH '24), an international student from the Philippines who shifted from a pre-med track at Fordham to Community Health Science and Practice (CHSP). Gail explains how the I AM GPH podcast served as her initial window into the program. She describes the benefit of GPH's teaching excellence, specifically how Dr. David Abrams and Dr. Joyce Moon Howard helped her translate classroom theory into professional practice. Gail highlights the unique "family" feel of her small cohort of 35 students, where peer-to-peer mentorship was common. Now working as a case manager, she applies the writing skills and needs assessment training from her grant writing and program planning classes to draft legal documentation and help families navigate complex resources. This conversation illustrates the student success found through the NYU network and Gail's personal philosophy that true joy is found through a career in service. 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.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jo Ivey Boufford and Reilly Fitzpatrick (MPH/MSW '23) about the power of student-faculty connectivity. Reilly discusses her transition from a biology background and Peace Corps service in Zambia to NYU's dual-degree program, where she sought to combine clinical social work skills with the macro-scale impact of public health. Dr. Boufford, a practitioner with deep experience in government and nonprofit sectors, explains how their parallel career arcs led to a high-impact collaboration on New York State health policy. By engaging with Dr. Boufford's lab and the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council, Reilly gained the training necessary to navigate complex public deliberations and state public health meetings. Reilly's story is a testament to how GPH's commitment to applied practice ensures alumni graduate with the technical skills and professional networks to lead meaningful change 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.