"The Cal graduate experience has met and surpassed my expectations. My best experiences have arisen from my relationship with professors, fellow students, and the opportunity for open dialogue."

"I spend several months a year in China, where I work closely with scientists at the Sichuan Center for Disease Control, who have been collaborating with Berkeley researchers for over a decade. They've taught me not only to appreciate Sichuan's fiery cuisine, but also the realities of data collection in the rural areas where we work."

"Berkeley was my first choice for graduate school, because it is a recognized leader in public health research, the School's faculty and graduates are highly regarded, and the School places a strong emphasis on ensuring that the research it produces and the education it provides benefit people from all backgrounds."

Michelle Danit Lesar, M.P.H. '03
Ph.D. student in Epidemiology

"Every single day here is worth waking up to, because you always have something new and exciting to learn. My major focus of study is epidemiology and biostatistics and the application of these in control of infectious diseases affecting developing countries. Ultimately my goal is to study for a Ph.D. in epidemiology or biostatistics and then pursue a career in pharmaceutical research with emphasis in drug discovery and manufacture."

Samuel Gavi
M.P.H. student in Epidemiology/Biostatistics

"My interests lie in working with low income Latina women who do not have regular access to care. Particularly, I plan to work with women before, during, and after pregnancy in order to improve birth outcomes in this population. The maternal and child health curriculum has lent itself perfectly to my future aspirations, emphasizing the need for not only prenatal health, but most importantly, preconception care. I have most enjoyed learning about the life course perspective and the theory that a woman's entire life and maybe beyond can affect the birth outcomes of her baby."

Lauren Goli
M.P.H. student in Maternal & Child Health

"I really enjoy the incredible fellow students with whom I share classes. They are all so incredibly bright and talented, but also funny, caring, warm, and so diverse—I am learning something new every day even beyond what I'm getting in the classroom."

"Berkeley's School of Public Health has given me access to settings, from board rooms to local community groups, to observe how various organizations approach serving disadvantaged populations. I especially appreciate my peers and faculty who offer rich, diverse experiences that reinforce my personal development as a health professional and leader."

Reginauld Jackson
Dr.P.H. student

"Prior to my enrollment at UC Berkeley, I worked as a technology and strategy consultant for a wide array of organizations in the health care and public health arenas. My work focused primarily on preparedness for disaster situations, including surveillance of disease trends. My experiences underscored the importance of choosing a degree program focused on practice and leadership in order to further my long-term career goals; this was one of the primary criteria I considered in my choice of the Dr.P.H. program at UC Berkeley."

Jennifer Lachance
Dr.P.H. student

"I have spent the early part of my career working primarily in the field of adolescent health care, running a school-based health center at my high school alma mater, where I became interested in the connection between public health practice and public policy.  I have felt that in terms of adolescent and reproductive health care, we are constantly reacting to policy and devising ways to provide the same care and resources with increased barriers.  I returned to UC Berkeley for an M.P.P./M.P.H. in order to develop a mind for policy and expand my knowledge of the vast field of public health."

"It is difficult not to know UC Berkeley for its famous research capability and its wonderful location. Fortunately, the university offers programs I am interested in, so I applied without hesitation."

"On the front lines of public health (working in HIV prevention), I saw how distrustful people and providers were of the research process. With my background in the sciences, I felt that research could be a valuable tool to improve public health programs—if it were presented, applied, and shared appropriately. In the first year of my program, I have gained new insight and perspectives into the world of public health. After graduation, I would like to work at a local health department or a nonprofit, where I can maintain contact with the people I serve."

Daniel Madrigal
M.P.H. student in Epidemiology/Biostatistics

"I decided to go back to school and study public health after an internship I did in a nonprofit health center in Tijuana that focused on sexual and reproductive health. After I graduate, I would like to continue my work in this area, either internationally or with immigrant populations in the United States. So far, I have had a great experience at Berkeley; I really enjoy working on projects with local agencies, and look forward to my summer internship in Bolivia."

Shaddai Martinez-Cuestas
M.P.H. student in Health & Social Behavior

"As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, I double majored in Public Health and Environmental Sciences. I knew I wanted to continue to study at the School of Public Health and continue to research the impacts pesticides have on farm workers, especially women and children. And after living in Berkeley for six years, I can't see myself living or studying anywhere else."

Laura Meehan '07
M.P.H. student, Environmental Health Sciences

"For my dissertation I will be studying the experience of young Mexican women who have immigrated to the United States, specifically assessing the potential influence of racial, ethnic, and social stratification on the sexual decision-making and reproductive health of this population. Based on my findings, I hope to develop interventions aimed at addressing these structural forces which result in widespread inequality and poor health."

"My experience at the School has been pivotal to my personal and professional development. I have gained advanced knowledge and skills to improve the health of diverse communities, and promote an agenda that translates health disparities research into action."

Fátima Marinely Rodríguez
Dr.P.H. candidate

"My educational and research experiences at Berkeley have exceeded all of my expectations. Not only are the faculty in my department at the very cutting-edge for new biostatistics methodology, but the opportunities for collaboration with other faculty in the School of Public Health and the entire campus are endless. When I graduate, I hope to obtain a position where I can continue working on innovative methods while also applying them to answer important real-world public health research questions."

Sherri Rose, M.A. '07
Ph.D. student, Biostatistics

"Lured to Cal by its dedication to diversity and cultural humility, I enrolled in the M.P.H. in health policy and management after graduating from Berkeley with a B.A. in history and working for two years in the medical group setting. During my time away from school, I realized the importance of compassion and consideration when providing care to populations of color, and it is with this realization that I find myself here today. I'm eager to pursue a career in hospital management and administration and would love to ultimately become a COO."

Baljeet Sangha
M.P.H. student in Health Policy & Management

"What I'm finding most enjoyable about my experience thus far is being surrounded by extremely talented students and faculty that you can learn from on a daily basis. Everyone brings their own experience and knowledge to the table, and the diversity of the student population allows you to easily get the most out of your time at Berkeley both in and outside the classroom."

Kristine Serbonich
M.P.P./M.P.H. student in Health Policy & Management

"My experience at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health has been nothing but fantastic. I truly appreciate the small class size that allows for engaging discussions and the many opportunities to get to know faculty outside of the classroom."