Meet Current MPH Students

Kennedy Boyd has dedicated her career to youth health education and program planning, with a focus on sexual health and healthy relationships. Guided by her belief in the power of human connection to spark healthy behavior change, she has worked directly with young people while also facilitating adult training programs to strengthen community-wide health education efforts. Through her MPH program, she hopes to deepen her expertise in program development and curriculum facilitation.

Danielle Bus discovered her passion for public health through the challenges of working as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting as a med-surg nurse, she quickly took on the critical role of managing a COVID-19 testing site and contact tracing program. These experiences highlighted the importance of clear communication and evidence-based strategies in protecting public health. Danielle is particularly driven by the need to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, and to ensure that underserved communities receive support. Now, as a Master’s in Public Health student, she aims to foster collaboration and create systemic change to enhance community wellbeing.

Nicholas Gerard is one of our own Puget Sound alumni! He has long been interested in the many ways systems shape opportunity. His education at Puget Sound and work in database management have revealed how the structures in which we operate can both obscure and reveal the complex realities of human experience. His goal in the MPH program is to develop public health solutions that are evidence-based, equity-driven, and responsive to community needs.

Nafiseh NajmAfshar, a dedicated dentist from Iran, grew up in a family of medical professionals who inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare. She earned her doctorate from Urmia University of Medical Science and gained extensive experience in areas like endodontics and periodontics. While she enjoyed clinical work, Nafiseh’s experience volunteering in low-resource areas sparked a desire to address health issues on a larger scale. Her search for a program that emphasized community health and equitable access led her to the Puget Sound area, where she saw parallels between public health needs among Indigenous populations in the U.S. and rural communities in Iran. While pursuing a master’s degree in public health, she aims to learn best practices in public health outreach and policy, with a vision of advancing health education and preventative care for underserved populations.

Mackenzie Searles’ interest with reproductive health and the human body stems from early exposure to healthcare and personal experiences. She’s constructed a hands-on approach to learning and teaching through experiential programs. In the MPH program, she seeks to design interventions that connect what she loves: education, equity, and access to health resources.

Pratibha Thomas brings a deep commitment to strengthening public health systems and advancing community well-being to the MPH program. Having seen the importance of accessible health education during the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s driven to promote healthier lifestyles and improve public health infrastructure. While working as a physical therapist in India, Pratibha observed many rehabilitation patients with preventable, noncommunicable diseases. Similarly, she also saw disproportionate health disparities in older patients. These experiences inspired her to shift towards more preventive actions that could reach larger populations before their health issues reached acute levels requiring long-term rehabilitative care. Currently, Pratibha is expanding her expertise by pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health. She plans to focus on health education and disease prevention. She envisions a career as an epidemiologist, health educator, or public health advocate, working to create lasting, positive health outcomes across communities

Alexandria Zanger’s passion for public health began during her time in speech pathology, where she witnessed the challenges faced by students in under-resourced communities. Her experiences motivated her to seek out evidence-based approaches to addressing systemic health disparities. She is especially committed to empowering individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to lead healthier lives. Now, as a Master’s in Public Health student at the University of Puget Sound, she’s focused on making health resources more accessible and equitable. Alexandria plans to work as an epidemiologist to identify disparities and support marginalized communities to create lasting change.