Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself

A: As a person dedicated to lifelong learning, I am passionate about becoming a mindful catalyst of change for populations that need it most. I felt a calling towards social justice through health from witnessing firsthand the inequities that exist in health and mental health at home and across the world. I am privileged to be the first person in my family to go to college and receive my bachelor’s from the University of Oregon as a Diversity Excellence Scholar. Through my education, I was also able to study around the globe in 10 countries through Semester at Sea. I also had a life-changing experience as a global health intern in Pune, India. After graduating, I worked in the nonprofit sector in homelessness and crisis intervention.

Q: Why did you decide to attend the UW for graduate school? 

A: Initially, I was drawn to UW because of the faculty and coursework around the ever-evolving field of global mental health. As an active student in the program, I feel confident in my decision as faculty and staff consistently support my interests in global mental health and humanitarian response. As a low-income, first-generation, indigenous, and Phillipino student, I feel proud to be a part of the Global health track. I find myself constantly learning from my peers, whose life experiences enrich the program content and challenge the way I perceive the world. 

Q: What are your research interests?

A: After graduating with my MPH in global health, I hope to improve mental health and psychological service capacity for indigenous populations, refugees, and immigrants both domestically and internationally. Additionally, I aim to work in humanitarian response and emergency planning, with advocacy for post-disaster health and mental health planning.

Q: What are you enjoying most about your graduate program?

A: The learning environment in the department of Global Health is what I enjoy most about the program. Taking classes online can feel impersonal, but I have genuinely appreciated the sense of support and community from the diverse cohort of students and faculty. There is also a strong allegiance to social justice throughout the program, which aligns with my personal and professional goals.