Graduation Photo Gallery | Graduation Recording | Digital Graduation Program
On Friday, June 12, family, friends, and colleagues gathered together at Kane Hall to celebrate the graduation of 51 UW Department of Global Health (DGH) students from over 15 countries.
These 51 graduates represented three doctoral and one master’s program:
- 29 Master of Public Health in Global Health graduates
- 6 Doctor of Global Health Leadership and Practice graduates
- 6 Doctor of Philosophy - Pathobiology graduates
- 10 Doctor of Philosophy - Global Health: Global Health Metrics & Implementation Science graduates
A shared sense of hope was woven throughout the evening as speakers celebrated the courage and resilience of the Class of 2026 amidst the shifting landscape of global health. "In our classrooms and office, you've shared your visions for change, your outrage at the harms you see," MPH Director Keshet Ronen shared. "You've asked important questions, and you've sharpened your skills to answer them. Seeing you all growing, taking your brilliance into the world, using your skills and creativity to make it better and more just. That fuels hope in me."
Celebrating Student Excellence
During the celebration several exceptional graduate students were recognized for demonstrating a strong commitment to the field of global health. Receiving awards from the School of Public Health or the University of Washington, these awardees were selected based on a combination of scholarly achievement and academic contribution to the field of public health, commitment to public health beyond their required academic research, and leadership in public health.
For each of these awards, students were selected from a pool of exceptionally qualified contenders, showcasing the innovative and passionate spirit of these future global health leaders.
- Outstanding Master's Student: Mariyam Sibghatullah, Master of Public Health
- Outstanding PHD Student: George Horace Wanje, Doctor of Philosophy - Global Health: Global Health Metrics & Implementation Science
- Husky 100: Mohammad Gazi Shah Alam, Doctor of Global Health Leadership and Practice
- Bonderman Fellowship: Samantha Tran, Master of Public Health
GRADUATE REFLECTIONS: HOPE IN THE FACE OF CHANGE
Although each student speaker faced distinct challenges in their different programs, their speeches collectively struck a tone of resilience, conviction, and purpose, supporting a shared vision for the future of public health in a world of uncertainty.
Sharing his own story of resilience, MPH graduate Husameddin A. Alattar shared the uncertainty and hope he felt after graduating medical school at the Islamic University of Gaza and leaving the life he knew behind to come to the UW. "When I arrived at this department far from home, uncertain about the future, this community, the DGH community, opened its arms wide open to welcome me. I found classmates who inspired me and reminded me that hope still matters."
Patience Sanguli Komba, Doctor of Global Health Leadership and Practice shared her resilience in a world where science is being questioned and research funding is being cut. "When programs are dismantled, someone must decide what to protect, what to rebuild, and what to do differently. And that too is us. So no, this is not the end of the work. it may actually be the moment the work matters most."
Reflected on her motivation for pursing a PhD in Pathobiology Irene Cruz Talavera noted that "going forward, we will carry the values that brought us here in the first place. After all, our goal was never simply to earn a degree or publish papers or secure grants. We came here because we believed that science could improve people's lives."
Akash Malhotra, Doctor of Global Health Metrics & Implementation Science closed out the student remarks by reminding us to find balance in our lives, in our work, and our relationship with technology "The real key is balance. AI for the redundant stuff while we hold on to what makes us human. our judgement, our empathy, our individuality. you can't automate caring."
In a year marked by uncertainty and unknowns, the strength, resilience, and passion of the global health graduates shone brightly throughout the celebration, leaving the audience with a sense of enduring purpose and hope for the future of global health.