51猎奇

Zilber student Michael Gonzalez Jr. is a MAXQDA Grants 2024: Black History Month winner聽

Portrait of Michael Gonzalez Jr. Man with short brown hair and a beard wearing glasses and a black dress shirt.

Michael Gonzalez Jr., MPH is a MAXQDA Grants 2024: Black History Month winner with his work 鈥淓xploring Sunscreen Use and Sun Safety Practices Among Black and Latinx Communities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis.鈥�

Michael鈥檚 work fills the gap in dermatological research, where People of Color are overlooked in the matter of sun protection and sun safety practices. Their project focuses on 30 interviews with young Black and Latinx young adults about their perceptions, benefits and barriers to using sunscreen. The research aims to put the matter of sun protection among POC in the spotlight, which would lead to the improvement of public health campaigns and health education.

Michael is a first-generation doctoral candidate studying Environmental Health Sciences at the UW-Milwaukee Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health.

Milwaukee Art Collective Public Gallery Night

4 women standing close together holding artwork pieces.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, local organization, Moms Mental Health Initiative, is elevating women in the community through art and mental health. Zilber College alum Megan Wahl and Amber Pipkorn joined FOX6 WakeUp to talk about the Milwaukee Art Collective Public Gallery Night.聽

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Alumni Spotlight: Kathy Staats – MPH – Public Health Policy

Zilber College of Public Health alumna Kathy Staats

What inspired you to pursue an MPH in Public Health Policy? Why did you choose 51猎奇? 

I began my career in tobacco prevention and control. This was at a pivotal time when we were seeing the results of policies that were making lasting changes for the public鈥檚 health. Even as a young advocate, I saw how my voice could help create a better future.

I chose to pursue my MPH at 51猎奇 because I saw their staff and faculty at work in the community. I wanted my education to echo the community organizing and grassroots skills I was learning in my working world.

What were some of your favorite experiences as a student at 51猎奇?

I was a student in the first MPH Public Health Policy cohort, and I witnessed so many firsts in the college鈥檚 history, including its first doctoral dissertation, the first graduates of the new MPH tracks, and brand new class curriculums. My most treasured memories come from all the other students I met during my time at 51猎奇. People come to public health from so many other sectors and areas of study 鈥� and it just makes our field that much stronger.

What have you been doing since graduation?

The seven years since graduation have been incredibly formative – not only me – but also for the field of public health. After graduating, I worked at the University of Wisconsin – Cooperative Extension, where I supported local Extension agents doing policy, systems, and environmental changes for chronic disease prevention in their communities.

I then moved to Colorado and worked at the Tri-County Health Department, covering the eastern band of the Denver metro area. There I led local tobacco prevention and food/beverage policy campaigns with the 26 jurisdictions served by that health department.

When the Covid-19 pandemic began, I was activated on the response and found myself excited about all the policy opportunities in the public health preparedness space. That led my next step of moving to Washington, DC and serving on a contract as a Senior Public Health Policy Specialist at the Department of Homeland Security鈥檚 (DHS) Office of Health security out of a firm called LMI. 

What are some of your proudest accomplishments as a public health professional?

I am proud of my role on the COVID-19 response as a founding member of the Business Recovery Task Force. The team comprised of four of the health department staff who, like myself, had existing relationships with local governments and businesses. We served as liaisons for jurisdictions, supporting education and implementation plans for the COVID-19 prevention restrictions for different types of industries. We hosted countless town halls across many sectors. We managed a hotline and email inbox where we fielded questions from the community directly. At times our recommendations flowed up to the state level to create guidance and policy edits that could best serve our communities.

Another recent pride point is my role in standing up a new federal office as part of the work on the contract I serve. The Office of Health Security is the principal medical, public health, and workforce safety authority within the Department of Homeland Security. Much of the support I offer to the office is grounded in my experience at the state and local levels of public health. My community-based perspective allows me to advocate for how the initiatives of this office can best serve our partners at all levels of government. Being given the chance to roll up my sleeves and build a new office, processes, and team dynamic is an opportunity I will never forget.

Did you do any internships or fieldwork as part of your program at 51猎奇? If yes, how did that prepare you for your career in public health?

I did my capstone fieldwork with the Wisconsin Alliance for Women鈥檚 Health (WAWH) and I will forever be grateful for the lessons I learned through the strong, collaborative leadership of Executive Director Sara Finger and the whole team.

Through this experience, I learned a lesson in how to pivot 鈥� an important policy skill in itself! The design of my project, which was uncovering what materials existed to support the public health workforce to be trained in policy advocacy, shifted halfway through. Sara worked hand-in-hand with me to develop the product, even in the midst of the focus change, that would be most useful for WAWH鈥檚 purposes and was doable for my process. Her generosity, flexibility, and thoughtful interactive support will stay with me as I manage others.

What difference to you most hope to make in the world through your work in public health?

The adage of 鈥渉ealth in all policies鈥� will not be a reality until the public health field has an equity-grounded, adequately-funded, interdisciplinary infrastructure. Policy cannot be carried out in a vacuum. I hope to spend my career advocating for and building the connections and bridges between things.

What advice do you have for someone considering pursing a degree and career in Public Health Policy?

Public health policy is hard work and heart work. Your success in this field is not always the policy, it鈥檚 the conversations you have and the norms you start to shift. You will fight for the tangible policy to be put on the books, but as a smart advocate in Denver once said, passing a policy is step one out of ten.  Real change comes from the people you inspire, connect to and serve with your work.

Student Profile: Edwin Guevara Romero, Public Health PhD – Community and Behavioral Health Promotion

Edwin Guevara Romero wears a winter coat and scarf. Pictured on Milwaukee snowy street.

Tell us about the research you are engaged in as a doctoral student at the Zilber College. What impact will it have on the community? What excites you most about it?聽

As a doctoral student at Zilber College, my research centers on the double burden of malnutrition, explicitly focusing on addressing this issue in Colombia, my country of birth. The double burden of malnutrition refers to the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition within a population or even within the same individual or household. 

In the context of Colombia, which is undergoing a nutritional transition, my research aims to fill a crucial gap in existing policies. While many policies predominantly target low weight, there is a notable lack of emphasis on addressing the rising issue of obesity. My proposal seeks to enhance the country’s capacity to address both aspects of malnutrition comprehensively, with a particular focus on promoting the healthy growth of the child population. 

The impact of this research on the community is significant, as it directly addresses a pressing health issue in Colombia. By fostering a more holistic approach to malnutrition, my work aims to contribute to developing more effective and inclusive public health policies. This, in turn, has the potential to improve the overall well-being of the population, particularly the health outcomes of children. 

What excites me most about this research is the opportunity to make a tangible and positive impact on the children’s health in Colombia. By addressing the double burden of malnutrition and advocating for comprehensive policies, I hope to contribute to a healthier future for the younger generation. As a researcher, the prospect of influencing policy changes and promoting sustainable nutrition practices is motivating and fulfilling. 

What inspired you to pursue your PhD at 51猎奇? 

I was inspired to pursue my Ph.D. at 51猎奇 due to the institution’s notable emphasis on community engagement and its strong commitment to social and environmental justice integrated into the curriculum. The university’s international recognition in research, particularly in Public Health, further attracted me to its academic environment. 

One key motivator for my decision was the unwavering support and encouragement of the late Dean Ronald Perez, despite the challenge of pursuing a doctorate in a language that is not my first language. His encouragement highlighted the human quality of the staff at 51猎奇, making me feel valued and supported in my academic journey. 

In essence, the community-oriented ethos, commitment to justice, and the support I received from individuals like Dean Ronald Perez were instrumental in inspiring my choice to pursue a PhD at 51猎奇. 

What differences do you hope to make in the world with your work in public health? 

Through my doctoral research at 51猎奇, I aim to make a difference in public health.  Focused on addressing the double burden of malnutrition, particularly in Colombia, my goal is to influence positive changes in health policies. By advocating for a more comprehensive approach that considers both undernutrition and obesity, I hope to impact the well-being of the community, explicitly emphasizing the healthy growth of children. 

The inspiration drawn from 51猎奇’s emphasis on community engagement and commitment to social and environmental justice guides my work. I aspire to bridge gaps in existing policies, ensuring a more holistic understanding and response to the complex issue of malnutrition. Ultimately, I aim to contribute to developing effective public health strategies that promote the health and vitality of communities, aligning with the principles of justice and equity that drew me to 51猎奇 in the first place. 

What has been your favorite experience so far as a doctoral student? 

The most valuable aspect of my doctoral journey has been the opportunity to connect and learn from my diverse and experienced fellow.  The unwavering support, encouragement, and kindness from my peers have been invaluable, especially during challenging times.  Sharing this academic journey with fellow graduates has been particularly rewarding, as they are not only humorous and kind but also a highly supportive and insightful group, enhancing the overall satisfaction of the experience. 

Student Profile: Victor Florez-Garcia, PhD in Environmental Health Sciences

Victor Florez-Garcia is a man wearing jeans and a black jacket standing in woods with fallen branches and yellow leaves.

Tell us about the research聽you聽are engaged in as a doctoral student聽at聽the Zilber College.聽What聽impact will it have on the community?聽What聽excites聽you聽most about it?

My research centers on disentangling the relationship between environmental exposures and child cognition. I’m specifically investigating how metal mixtures during pregnancy affect early childhood intellectual performance in Mexico City, with a focus on public health interventions. The research’s community impact lies in providing insights into the effects of these metals on the Latinx community, particularly Mexican children, which will inform actionable strategies to mitigate negative effects. What excites me most is the application of cutting-edge epidemiological techniques to better understand complex public health issues.

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My decision to pursue a Ph.D. at 51猎奇 was largely driven by the community-focused programs and the institution’s strong commitment to social and environmental justice within the curriculum. Furthermore, I was drawn to the supportive environment and expertise in public health areas at 51猎奇, and the university’s international recognition in research added to its appeal.

What聽differences do聽you聽hope聽to聽make in the world with聽your聽work in public health?

My research aims to shift the perspective in public health, advocating for a holistic view of exposures, rather than isolated ones. It also contributes to new causal inference strategies in public health, potentially revolutionizing our traditional understanding of the field.

What聽has been聽your聽favorite experience so far as a doctoral student?

My Ph.D. journey has been exceptionally enriching. I’ve gained fresh perspectives in my research area, deepened my knowledge of epidemiology and public health, and established valuable connections both within and beyond 51猎奇. As an international student, I’m especially grateful for the tremendous support I’ve received from peers, professors, and the university staff.

Student Profile: Lydia Post, PhD in Epidemiology

Portrait of Lydia Post. Woman with red hair and freckles smiling.

Tell us about the research you are engaged in as a doctoral student at the Zilber College. What impact will it have on the community? What excites you most about it?

I am studying whether adverse childhood experiences may increase risk of young-onset breast cancer subtypes via mechanisms including lifetime body size. Adverse childhood experiences are prevalent in the United States, so it is important that we work to understand both the short- and long-term health effects of adversity. Doing so may help us to better understand observed trends and disparities in chronic disease and to design better interventions, which may promote the wellbeing of the community. I get excited about collaborating with people with diverse areas of expertise (e.g., social work, biostatistics, sociology, epidemiology) to work toward improved public health.

What inspired you to pursue your PhD at 51猎奇?

While looking at faculty research areas at prospective universities, I was drawn to Dr. Ellen Velie鈥檚 work in the modifiable, social determinants of young-onset breast cancer through the Young Women鈥檚 Health History Study. Dr. Velie was able to offer me an opportunity to participate in her work as a research assistant, and that opportunity for hands-on experience doing social epidemiology 鈥� even as a first-year graduate student 鈥� persuaded me to pursue my PhD at Zilber.

What differences do you hope to make in the world with your work in public health?

Through my work, I hope to contribute to our understanding of how adversity affects chronic disease risk. I am excited for opportunities to use the knowledge and skills I鈥檝e developed at Zilber to continue participating in the mission of promoting human flourishing.

What has been your favorite experience so far as a doctoral student?

I have loved getting into my dissertation research. I have enjoyed reading the literature about a particular topic, identifying areas that require additional exploration, finding and learning new analytic methods that may be well-suited to addressing these research aims, and working with collaborators to interpret and present research findings.