The Department of Public Health is pleased to recognize the outstanding work of its undergraduate and graduate students for excellence. Awardees were nominated by faculty and professional staff and selected at a group meeting. Given the abundance of talent and achievements of our students it is always a challenge to make these award decisions. Our department is very proud of all of our graduating students and present for your review in the attached document the undergraduate and graduate student awardees from among the graduating class of 2021.
Our department seeks to be a leader in leveraging public health research, practice, and education to create the greatest impact on global health. You our students play an important part in making this vision possible. Congratulations class of 2021!
Congratulations to our Award Winners!
Public Health Award winners:
Academic Excellence in Public Health
Helaina Brown, BS Public Health ‘21
Helaina is recognized for her outstanding academic success, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.99. In addition to the BSPH, Helaina completed a minor in psychology. Helaina is seeking public health related employment and plans to pursue a graduate degree within a few years.
Excellence in Public Health Practice
Alex Godinez, BS Public Health ‘21
Alex, BSPH ’21, is recognized for his work with the COVID-19 Wastewater Monitoring Program. He began as a volunteer in fall 2021 and quickly advanced to lead volunteer. His early work with this program was critical in establishing the COVID-19 wastewater surveillance for Syracuse University. In spring semester, he added the role of contact tracer as part of his senior capstone internship requirement. Alex participated in the accelerated BSPH/Master of Public Health (MPH) program and will continue his studies in the Syracuse University MPH program in the fall of 2021.
Public Health Leadership Award
Amelia Dome, BS Public Health ’20, BA Policy Studies ‘20
Amelia is recognized for community service work and projects outside of her academic requirements. She served as the Coordinating Tutoring Director for the Gettinger Foundation, volunteered with the Children’s National Medical Center (D.C.) where she planned a fundraiser for pediatric brain cancer patients. Amelia later interned with this same organization and drafted testimony for the U.S. Senate about the health effects of separating families at the U.S./Mexico border. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the community, in 2020 Syracuse University named Amelia as a Remembrance Scholar. Amelia is currently enrolled in John Hopkins University MSN direct entry nursing program.
Research Award for Public Health
Symone Roberts, BS Public Health ‘21
Symone is recognized for her 2-year participation in Donna Korol’s research lab where she worked as a research assistant on a project examining female reproductive endocrinology and the hormonal impacts on cognition and cognitive decline. Symone was awarded SOURCE grant funding to support this. In addition to the BSPH, Symone completed a minor in psychology. Following graduation, Symone plans to take a gap year and then apply to medical school.
Social Justice in Public Health
Gloria Nabbosa, BS Public Health ‘21
Gloria is recognized for her social justice related work in research, academics, and public health practice. As a McNair scholar, Gloria completed a research project that examined reproductive health among women residing in developing countries. She was awarded SOURCE grant funding to support this research. In 2020, Syracuse University awarded the Our Time Has Come Scholarship to Gloria, recognizing her strong interest in volunteering with underserved populations. In spring 2021, Gloria interned at Hopeprint, an organization that serves low-income, immigrant, and refugee populations. Following graduation, Gloria will be pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical sciences at Boston University.
Excellence in Public Health Graduate Program
Anne Heffernan, Master of Public Health ‘21
Annie is recognized for her involvement with the COVID-19 Program Management Office where she volunteered as a contact tracer and laboratory analyst. For the Master of Public Health (MPH) applied practicum experience, she interned with Vera House to develop a primary prevention program for elder abuse and financial exploitation. She is also a distinguished member of the Track and Field team, earning various honors for academic and athletic achievement. Annie plans to apply to medical school in the fall of 2022.
Falk Scholars
Falk Scholars are recognized for their academic excellence, exceptional campus and community engagement, independent research and creative work, evidence of intellectual growth and/or innovation in their disciplinary field, and personal integrity. Following graduation, Seth will attend law school at Temple University. Symone will take a gap year and then apply to medical school.
Class Marshalls
Class Marshalls lead the undergraduate and graduate degree candidates into the Falk College Convocation event. The selection of class marshals is made by faculty and peers and is based on academic strength, academic honors, student organization involvement, campus and community service and loyalty to Syracuse University; including activities to support the public health programs. Gursimar participated in the accelerated BSPH/Master of Public Health (MPH) program and will continue her studies in the Syracuse University MPH program in the fall of 2021. Following graduation, Kennedy will study law at the University of Maryland.