School of Graduate Studies Awards Ceremony

In addition to the awards presented by the College of Public Health, graduate students are also eligible for awards presented by the School of Graduate Studies.

Award and Program Committee Member from the College of Public Health

Dr. Laraine Powers

Graduate Student Awards

Research Grant Award

Reem Qaisari Tariq, MSEH in Environmental Health
Picture with Dr. Phil Scheuerman, Committee Chair

Title: Comparative Analysis of Survival and Decay of Fecal Indicators in Bovine and Porcine Feces

Service Project that Enhances the Public Good

Bethesda J. O'Connell, DrPH in Community Health
Nominated by Dr. Deb Slawson

"Maternal and child health in low-resource communities is my passion and the focus of my service efforts. Health outcomes are worse in low-resource settings both in the United States and around the glob. The fact that health is lower simply because of resources is unjust. Low-resource circumstances are often least favorable for the health of women and children. I believe that regardless of where they live, people should have the same right to health. In order for health outcomes to improve in low-resource communities, long-term investments of time, energy, and finances are necessary. This is why I have been working consistently in one specific community, Cyegera, in the country of Rwanda for about seven years. It is also why when I work in communtities, I work with organizations that have a long-standing presence and relationship with the people. Further, this is why I have pursued public health education that gives me the expertise to write grants, design and carry out programs to improve maternal and child health in low-resource communities. My service philosophy is a long-term investment in the health of women and children living in low-resource communities."