Inspired by an uncle who served in the Navy, Michael Figueroa Osorio enlisted at 18 as a hospital corpsman. That service led to a lifelong commitment to��public health. “It’s a role full of pride,” Figueroa Osorio said, of his time in the Navy. “At first, I was just doing it for fun, to get my feet wet and figure myself out. But then I found myself in a collective where I felt like I belonged.”

From service to purpose

After completing his corpsman training, Figueroa Osorio enrolled in additional schooling and testing to become a preventive medicine technician, a public health-focused role that involved administering vaccinations, running disease prevention programs and conducting sanitation inspections.

In 2021, he deployed to Kabul during the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan, providing medical care at Abbey Gate, one of the main airport checkpoints.

“We were working 24 hours on, 24 hours off, providing direct care,” he said. “A lot of these people had been through a lot – broken noses, broken bones, malnourished. I remember seeing pregnant mothers and thinking about my own mom. I was like, man, I cannot wait to give my mom a hug.”

On Aug. 26, 2021, a suicide bombing killed 13 service members and dozens of Afghan civilians.

“I could have died that day,” Figueroa Osorio said, “and ever since that day, I’ve told myself I always want to do more.”

He decided to apply his Navy experience back home by pursuing a career in public health. His first stop: UW-Milwaukee.

Coming home to serve

At UW-Milwaukee, things started to click as Figueroa Osorio connected his studies to his experiences growing up on Milwaukee’s south side. “We were talking about systemic issues in class — how the poor stay poor, and the rich get richer, and why medical care and food are so expensive,” he said. “I started connecting the dots in my own life. This is why we struggled so much growing up.”

He also found encouragement. One particular moment stands out: During his final field experience presentation, a professor addressed his imposter syndrome. “He looked at me and was like, ‘You belong.’ That hit me hard. It still does now. I was like, ‘I do, yeah, I do.’”

Rooted in community

Figueroa Osorio completed his bachelor’s degree in public health in May 2025 and is continuing into a master’s program in Community & Behavioral Health Promotion. He says one of his long-term goals is to be a leader in his field — not only to shape public health but to inspire others who come from a background like his. Before graduation, Figueroa Osorio began working as the food pantry coordinator at Bay View Community Center, serving many of the same neighborhoods he grew up in.

“I try to run it in a way where we can teach people and help people out,” he said.

In addition to distributing food and other household products, Figueroa Osorio partners with other organizations to offer food demos, mental wellness kits and health literacy classes.

“I’m proud of the purpose I’ve found again after the Navy,” he said. “This doesn’t feel like a job to me. This feels like something I am meant to do.”

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Facing the Nerves of “What’s Next”

Marina clearly remembers what it felt like to sit on the other side of the table. As a student participating in mock interviews, she—and many of her peers—felt significant nerves. For Marina, those feelings were tied to a larger realization: graduation was near, and real job interviews were just around the corner.

“Training was almost complete, and life was getting real,” she recalled. That awareness made the mock interview experience feel high-stakes, even though it was designed as a safe space to practice.

Fortunately, Marina had some prior exposure to mock interviews during her undergraduate studies. However, those earlier experiences were conducted through recorded sessions rather than live, interactive conversations. The in-person mock interview format at the Zilber College, conducted by a person the student has never met before, added a new layer of realism and value.

The Importance of Interpersonal Skills

Marina emphasized how critical it is for academic programs to teach interpersonal and professional development skills alongside technical knowledge. She believes that these skills—especially interviewing—were once overlooked in higher education but are essential for career success.

She also shared that not all graduate programs offer this type of support. Comparing notes with her sister, who completed a graduate program without mock interview opportunities, reinforced Marina’s appreciation for Zilber’s approach.

Giving Back to the Public Health Community

Now working as a biostatistician at Loyola University Chicago—a position she secured immediately before graduating—Marina sees her role as a mock interviewer as a way to give back.

“The core tenet of public health is community,” she said. “Before we go out into the world as leaders, we need to support each other.”

She enjoys helping students at different stages of readiness, recognizing that each individual brings unique strengths and needs. For Marina, mentoring emerging professionals is not just rewarding—it’s essential to building a strong, collaborative public health workforce.

Advice for Emerging Public Health Professionals

Marina’s advice to current students is both practical and empowering: don’t hold yourself back.

She encourages students to apply for positions even if they don’t meet every listed qualification. “If you meet about 60% of the requirements, go for it,” she said. “Don’t quit on yourself before you even start.”

She speaks from experience. When applying for her current role, the job description required a Master of Science in Biostatistics—something she did not have. Initially removed from consideration, Marina took the initiative to contact the program director directly. She explained how her MPH in Epidemiology provided comparable training and relevant skills.

Her proactive approach paid off. She was reinstated in the applicant pool and ultimately offered the position.

Rethinking “Experience”

Marina also encourages students to broaden their understanding of what counts as experience. Internships, academic projects, and fieldwork all contribute valuable, applicable skills.

“Experience isn’t just formal employment,” she noted. “Your time in school matters.”

Building Confidence Through Practice

Reflecting on her journey, Marina credits the seminar course and mock interview experiences at Zilber with helping her successfully transition into the workforce. Now, as she helps guide current students through that same process, she’s continuing the cycle of support that defines public health.

Her story is a reminder that preparation, persistence, and community can make all the difference—and that sometimes, the most important step is simply believing you’re ready to begin.

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The Clinical Research Scholars Program provides junior faculty with intensive training and individualized mentoring to support successful careers in clinical and translational research. Designed to prepare participants for independent, grant-funded research careers, the program ensures scholars receive protected research time, access to key resources, a supportive environment, and advanced training in clinical research methodology.

As a public health researcher, implementation scientist, and prevention scholar, Hennessy Garza is committed to building a world free from sexual violence. Her work focuses on the development, testing, and adoption of evidence-based prevention strategies to end campus sexual violence, with an emphasis on translating research into routine practice across college campuses nationwide.

By joining the Clinical Research Scholars Program, Hennessy Garza will collaborate with a dynamic cohort of researchers, educators, and physicians working to advance clinical and translational science in Wisconsin and beyond. Her acceptance into this highly competitive program not only highlights her outstanding contributions to public health research but also underscores the Zilber College’s commitment to addressing urgent public health challenges through innovative, evidence-based solutions.

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We are so proud of this incredible group for not only excelling in their studies and training, but also for representing our new program with professionalism, passion, and purpose. As trailblazers, they have paved the way for future students and helped set a strong foundation for the growth of our program.

With two graduates heading into clinical dietetics and two stepping into sports nutrition roles, we cannot wait to see the positive impact they will make in their careers and communities.

These are the cohort members and their post-graduation placements. Help us celebrate their success:

• David Jakubek – Olympic Sports Nutrition Assistant, University of Notre Dame
• Delaney Ortiz – Sports Nutrition Fellowship, UFC
• Erica Brincka – Clinical Dietitian, Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center
• Cianna Colon – Clinical Inpatient Dietitian, ProHealth Care

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Holliday’s course offering — “Healthcare Across the Pond: Understanding Access to and Maintenance of Healthcare for Transgender, Intersex, and Nonbinary Adults in Wales”—is scheduled for June 16, 23, and 30 at 12:30 p.m.

Their course will include an introduction to trans, intersex, and nonbinary health; a review of health theories focusing on self-management and health justice; and an overview of their dissertation study.

Their course will showcase the work they have done to build participatory research methods (a form of community engagement) into their dissertation including three years of service with a Welsh mutual aid group, Trans Aid Cymru. Despite the international focus, the class may be helpful for anyone interested in learning more about trans, intersex, and nonbinary people or about navigating barriers to health and healthcare.��

Aside from building bridges between academia and the public, the OLLI Scholars initiative offers tangible support for graduate researchers. Participants receive stipends funded through donations by Osher members during 51����’s “414 for 51���� Giving Days.”

By giving advanced students the opportunity to guide lifelong learners through cutting-edge research, the program fosters mentorship, communication skills, and an enriching exchange of ideas across generations. Holliday’s public health-focused presentation not only enriches community learning but also exemplifies the initiative’s goal of making academic inquiry meaningful and relevant beyond the university walls.

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Bottom row, left to right:��Dr. Elise Papke (Assistant Dean of Accreditation Assessment and Community Engagement), Dr. Emmanuel Ngui (MPH Director and MCH Certificate Program Director), Dr. Young Cho (Zilber College Faculty)��

In May 2025, MPH students enrolled in the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Certificate Program gathered to celebrate a major milestone—the successful completion of the program’s fifth year. The celebration included a shared meal and an awards ceremony recognizing student achievements and the collective efforts that have shaped the program’s growth.��

We’re also excited to share some important news about the future of MCH training at our institution. Earlier this month, Dr. Emmanuel Ngui, Director of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Certificate and Catalyst Training Program, received word that the grant to expand the MCH Certificate to an MPH MCH Concentration has been funded by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA).��

This is indeed welcome news given the ongoing need in Wisconsin for workforce training to benefit not only mothers and children but also fathers. The goal of this program is to prepare graduates to address ongoing public health problems related to care of mothers, children and their families and to advocate for health equity in their practice to improve health outcomes.

The first year of this five-year award is a planning period, with a focus on aligning with the College program array, reviewing and updating the curriculum, refining the student recruitment process, and strengthening partnerships.��

More information will be forthcoming as the curriculum is developed and the application process for the MPH in Maternal and Child Health opens up. For details about the MCH Graduate Certificate, . 

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SAMCHE, which operates under the��, collected items such as panty liners, tampons, and disposable pads. The donations were delivered in person to Sojourner, where the student leadership team met with Executive Director Carmen Pitre to present the items and express appreciation for the Center’s work in supporting families affected by domestic violence. This initiative reflects SAMCHE’s ongoing commitment to advancing equity in maternal and child health across Wisconsin.��

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Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) students presented projects addressing critical public health challenges, from mental health and child maltreatment to food insecurity and opioid use disorder. Their poster presentations included:��

• A Public Health Approach to Preventing Child Maltreatment.��
  Joyli Kamau��(student) |��Faculty Mentor:��Dr. Paul Florsheim��
• No Student Left Hungry.��
  Mahrukh Delawarzad��&��Rasha Ali��(students) |��Faculty Mentor:��Dr. Rose Hennessy Garza��
• Breaking the Silence: Creating a Program to Reduce Stigmatization & Normalize Conversations about Mental Health among First-Generation College Students.��
  Yaritza Garcia��&��Manizha Nazari��(students) |��Faculty Mentor:��Dr. Rose Hennessy Garza��
• Natural Language Processing and Opioid Use Disorder: A Holistic Social Determinants of Health Approach.��
  Kylie Degner��&��Maxwell Sharkey��(students) |��Faculty Mentors:��Dr. Phonix Do & Dr. Lu He

Congratulations to��Kylie Degner��and��Maxwell Sharkey��for receiving an award for Outstanding Poster Presentation! We commend all our BSPH students and faculty mentors for their dedication to advancing public health knowledge and their commitment to community impact.��

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Following the presentations, students in the BSPH and the BS in Nutritional Sciences program enjoyed a keynote address by Valerie MacMillan, Executive Director of . MacMillan discussed key issues surrounding food insecurity and encouraged students to get involved in meaningful ways.��

The event concluded with a graduation celebration, where students were recognized with honors and graduation cords. Students receiving commencement honors included Sydney Bohaman, Laura Czapiewski, Kylie Degner, Michael Figueroa Osorio, Henry Jacob, Maxwell Sharkey, and Ashlyn Rose. 

We’re also excited to have two students continuing into a Zilber College master’s program: Michael Figueroa Osorio will be continuing in the MPH Community and Behavioral Health Promotion Track, and Nick Wielgosz will be continuing in the MS in Biostatistics. 

Also, two students were offered jobs before graduation!��Taofiqat Jimoh��was offered a full-time position at her Field Expeirence site,��.��Syndey Boham��was offered a position as an Environmental Health Specialist with the City of Watertown Public Health Department.��

We are so proud of our BSPH students and all they have accomplished! 

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What research did you present?
As a student who received Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) award, I presented “Congruent Validity of GAITRite Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters and the Short Physical Performance Battery in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.”

The GAITRite electronic walkway is a portable gait analysis tool measuring spatiotemporal gait parameters. This research aims to determine the congruent validity between GAITRite walkway for quantification of spatial and temporal footstep patterns and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) in predisposed populations for mobility and functional limitations. In this small sample of individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), early results show the GAITRite to be a valid tool compared with the clinical SPPB total score for measuring mobility and functional limitations in individuals with PD.

Why did you choose to study Kinesiology at UW-Milwaukee?

I find movement of the human body to be fascinating. I am both very passionate about science and exercise–and Kinesiology is a combination of those. Also wanting to help others, I plan to become a sports medicine physician assistant. I chose 51���� because the undergraduate research really stood out to me. I knew that I wanted to do research during my undergrad but not a lot of places offer it during undergrad. 51����, being an R1 university, caught my attention and will allow me to stand out when applying for Physician Assistant school. I was able to start research here before I even started my freshman year through the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Summer Research Program.

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