Major: Neuroscience

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Degree Track: Pre-med

Email address: azizzo@bc.edu

Zoha Aziz is a senior in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, and she is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Global Public Health on the Pre-Medical track. She originally applied with the hopes to learn more about health outcome disparities and inequalities. Through The Global Public Health Minor at BC, she has been able to pursue her passions in her newly found niche of providing culturally competent care as a provider as a step to end such disparities. There's so much more to a patient than just their symptoms; understanding their social, cultural, and environmental contexts is crucial for providing comprehensive and effective care. Currently she works with Dr. Tam Nguyen in her pursuit to prevent disproportionate rates of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes amongst Asian Americans in the Boston Area. Zoha hopes to carry this work forward in a clinical career with a focus on marginalized and minority community health.

Major: Biology and Global Public Health and the Common Good

Degree Track: Pre-medical

Email address: limperii@bc.edu

Isabelle Limperis is a senior from Derry, NH, pursuing a double major in Biology and Global Public Health and the Common Good. Inspired by an Enduring Questions class on the intersection of law, economics, and policy in the U.S. healthcare system, Isabelle decided to pursue a degree in public health. Isabelle strives for a career that integrates clinical knowledge with preventative strategies to improve health outcomes, address social determinants, and reduce disparities within the healthcare system, ultimately advancing the well-being of communities. Her public health interests particularly focus on maternal, fetal, and child health. On campus, she is a member of the Boston College Pom Team and the Boston College chapter of MEDLIFE Movement. Last winter, she traveled to Tena, Ecuador, with MEDLIFE to work on development projects and mobile medical clinics. Outside of school, Isabelle volunteers at Boston Children's Hospital and is a certified EMT currently working as a medical assistant at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Summer after sophomore year, she studied in South Africa with Professor Van de Water, focusing on global health delivery and the social determinants of health, particularly regarding HIV and tuberculosis. After graduation, Isabelle aims to attend medical school and earn a Master of Public Health.

Major: Political Science

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Academic track: Pre-law

Email address: mackenec@bc.edu

The Global Public Health and Common Good (GPHCG) program has enriched Emme’s understanding of Boston College's interdisciplinary approach to academics. Emme has acquired knowledge and skills in her GPHCG classes that translate to other aspects of her college experience — in particular, her position as a staff member at the Boston College Women’s Center and leader of Bystander Intervention, BC's advocacy program to prevent sexual violence. These activities have sparked her passion and interests in reproductive rights, sexual health, and gender equity. During the spring semester of her junior year, Emme had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Cape Town in South Africa to learn more about how government and social justice inform global health initiatives for marginalized populations. Emme’s areas of study — politics, public policy, and global health — intertwine to offer a well-rounded perspective of global health inside and outside of the classroom. Emme believes that global health students are equipped with optimism and dedication to face challenges head-on. The GPHCG minor has taught Emme countless lessons and challenged her to think critically about the world. After undergraduate at Boston College, Emme plans to take a gap-year and attend law school to address and improve health equity.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: SociologyDegree

Track: Pre-medical

Email address: morenoem@bc.edu

Emily Moreno is a junior from Houston, Texas, majoring in Global Public Health and the Common Good. On campus, she is involved in BC BIGS, the Compass Mentoring Program, and Club Ultimate Frisbee. Emily is also conducting her research project on the integration of traditional and modern medicine to manage diabetes in Mexico through the McNair Scholars Program and serves as a research assistant for Professor Lindsey Camp. Her decision to pursue a degree in public health was solidified during her gap year, where she worked as a medical assistant at a clinic primarily serving Hispanic and low-income patients. Through courses such as “Global Health Delivery and Health Equity: A South African Context” and “Borderlands & Health Justice: Migration, Environment, and Indigenous Rights,” Emily has explored health in both local and global contexts through immersive experiences. After graduation, Emily plans to obtain her MPH before continuing to medical school to become a primary care physician. Her ultimate goal is to use her experience and education to promote self-advocacy in underserved communities and address health/social disparities. Her experiences with courses and faculty in the GPH department have helped her explore the interconnectedness and dualities of public health issues, equipping Emily with the knowledge to better advocate for vulnerable populations and promote health equity, social justice, and community action.

Major: Biology & Philosophy

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Degree Track: Pre-medical

Email address: mussoc@bc.edu

I am a senior in the Morrissey College of Arts and Science from Long Island, New York. I am  double majoring in Biology and Philosophy and minoring in Global Public Health and the Common Good. I am also the co-president of the Student Health Equity Forum, a public health group on campus that focuses on addressing healthcare issues through a lens that emphasizes equity, and am very involved in 4Boston. As an aspiring physician, I have found my public health coursework to be extremely helpful in broadening my understanding of specific public health applications and particularly enjoyed my time in Introduction to Epidemiology with Professor Longacre. As an effective healthcare provider must understand not only the scientific mechanisms that facilitate disease progression but also the social context out of which their patients isareacting and have been molded, I plan on utilizing the public health knowledge I have developed at BC in my career as a physician.

Major: Psychology

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Email address: savageav@bc.edu

Avery Savage is a senior from Dallas, Texas, pursuing a major in Psychology with a Clinical Concentration from the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences and a minor in Global Public Health in the Connell School of Nursing. Outside of academic and professional experiences, she is a member of the Dance Organization of Boston College. She also serves as a research assistant in Dr. Sara Cordes’ Infant and Child Cognition Lab and has spent the past few summers working as a research assistant at Southern Methodist University, a scholar at the Center for Brain Health, and interning with the pediatric psychology department at Scottish Rite Orthopedic Hospital back home in Dallas. Joining the GPHCG program has sparked her passion for translational research, implementation science, and grassroots efforts to create systemic change to advance health equity and enrich the common good. She is particularly interested in the impacts of children’s environmental health on children’s vulnerable and developing brains. She hopes to pursue a career as a clinical pediatric psychologist, preserving public health principles in her daily practice.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: Medical Humanities; Management and Leadership

Email address: sitarich@bc.edu

Emma Sitarich is a senior from Nashville, TN studying Global Public Health and the Common Good. She is also pursuing a double minor in medical humanities and management and leadership. She decided to major in public health after taking the introduction course freshman year. The interdisciplinary nature of public health called to Emma through the way it combines healthcare, research, and social justice to create meaningful change. This summer, Emma interned at the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health. She worked on various projects aimed at establishing sustainable, scalable health and development programs in resource-limited settings. In the future, Emma hopes to get her MPH. Her interests specifically lie in epidemiology or environmental health. Through the GPHCG program, Emma has acquired a diverse set of skills and values that will be essential for any future career in public health.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: Biology

Degree Track: Pre-NP

Email address: strasssa@bc.edu

Samantha Strasser has dedicated five years to volunteering as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), notably within Boston College's student-run EMS program (BCEMS) where she currently serves as the Advancing Education Coordinator and previously held positions on the Executive Board. She helps lead a campaign to increase awareness and training on Narcan for opioid overdose intervention across campus and contributed significantly to expanding access to Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) on campus through the Office of Emergency Management. Additionally, as the SAMHSA Undergraduate Project Coordinator at the Research Program on Children and Adversity (RPCA) within Boston College School of Social Work, Samantha organized a successful 2024 Refugee Mental Health Stakeholder Webinar, attracting over 500 registrants. Previously, she worked as an undergraduate research assistant, creating educational materials for community health workers and assisting with qualitative coding for research projects. Samantha is on track to graduate in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Public Health and the Common Good, preparing for future endeavors as a Nurse Practitioner, demonstrating her commitment to community service and public health advancement.

Major: PGlobal Public Health & the Common Good; Applied Psychology & Human Development

Minor: Spanish

Email address: willibuh@bc.edu

Cara Williams is a senior in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development majoring in Global Public Health and the Common Good and Applied Psychology and Human Development with a minor in Spanish. She is from Denver, Colorado and has experience working in public health consulting and research. Outside of the classroom, Cara is involved in the Appa Volunteers Program, Special Olympics at BC, and the McGillyCuddy-Logue Fellows Program. She is also looking forward to participating in the Arrupe Program during her senior year. Through the Schiller Institute, she spent a month in Zanzibar, Tanzania doing ethnographic research on a policy project related to climate change. Cara is excited to be an ambassador for the GPHCG program, which has enabled her to explore her interests in global health and social justice through classes and other opportunities. Cara hopes to pursue a graduate degree in public health and aims to build a career in global public health addressing inequities in children’s health and nutrition in underserved populations.

Major: Biology

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Degree Track: Pre-medical

Email address: willsmb@bc.edu

Maria Wills is a senior from Mullica Hill, NJ, majoring in Biology and minoring in Global Public Health & the Common Good on the pre-med track. Maria is interested in pursuing a career in pediatric medicine, and the interdisciplinary nature of the GPHCG program has allowed her to expand upon her interest while cultivating BC’s comprehensive philosophy of educating the whole person. Last summer, she earned credit towards her degree while studying Environmental Law and Policy in London, UK, broadening her perspective of public health to include global pursuits. Maria appreciates that the link between public health and medicine is essential. Outside of the classroom, she works with advanced practice providers and physicians at Jefferson University Hospital based in Philadelphia, PA, researching the impact of post-operative delirium in high risk spine surgeries. She also enjoys volunteering weekly at Tufts Medical Center as a Patient Care Ambassador. Maria fulfills her passion for the performing arts while dancing in the Boston College Dance Ensemble, and serves on its executive board as head of member relations. Following her graduation from BC, Maria plans to attend medical school and is excited to use the knowledge and experience she acquired through the GPHCG program in her future endeavors in medicine.

Major: Economics

Minor: Global Public Health & Management for Social Impact

Degree Track: Pre-Law

Email address: boixm@bc.edu

Martí Boix Adserà is a senior in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Economics on the Pre-Law track. He also has minors in Global Public Health and the Common Good, as well as Management for Social Impact in the Carroll School of Management. On campus, he is a part of Appalachian Volunteers, Allies of BC, and WZBC. Martí first gained interest in public health after serving in home repair in Southeastern Kentucky during a gap year, where he was exposed to many of the healthcare inequities that deeply affect the Appalachian region, including the opioid epidemic, food deserts, and lack of accessibility to medical care. During his freshman year, he took an enduring questions course that centered on the economics, law, and politics of health, which allowed him to align his gap year experience with potential solutions for policy changes in the US healthcare system. Last summer, he interned on the Gender-Based Violence team of the US Department of State's office for Global Women's Issues. In the future, Martí hopes to pursue a career in public policy to improve access to healthcare in the US, including safe food and housing for all, substance abuse rehabilitation, and affordable mental health treatment.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: French

Degree Track: Pre-law

Email address: boyleso@bc.edu

Shannon Boyle is a senior from Cranbury, NJ pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Global Public Health & the Common Good with a minor in French. Shannon was drawn to the GPHCG program at Boston College because of its emphasis on social justice and its interdisciplinary approach to solving current pressing issues of public health. Relying on these foundations of social justice and health equity, Shannon plans to attend law school to pursue a career in health policy with the goal of expanding healthcare access, particularly for marginalized populations, across the United States. Shannon is a member of the Student Health Equity Forum and Bellarmine Law Society and is an advocacy lead for Boston College's chapter of Partners in Health: Engage.

Major: Biology

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Degree Track: Pre-medical

Email address: centanni@bc.edu

Ryan Centanni is a senior majoring in Biology with a minor in Global Public Health and the Common Good on the pre-medical track. Ryan’s desire for a well-rounded education, combined with his courses in the hard sciences, sparked his interest in public health. He discovered that the GPHCG program perfectly complemented his passion for medicine and remained relevant to his career and interests. On campus, Ryan is a member of 4Boston, where he volunteers weekly at Edison K-8, a local Boston Public School in Brighton. He also works with Professor Hawkins on research pertaining to the implications of cannabis legalization throughout the United States on cannabis use during pregnancy. Off campus, Ryan has had the opportunity to be a Clinical Research Assistant in Boston Medical Center’s Department of Otolaryngology. In this role, he contributed to a project promoting HPV vaccination among the department’s patient population to prevent rising rates of head and neck cancer. Additionally, Ryan is EMT-trained and has worked as a Patient Care Associate in the Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department. Ryan’s education and experiences in public health have fostered a specific interest in the social determinants of health. He plans to use this background to provide a humanistic, patient-centered approach in his future career as a physician.

Major: Biology

Minor: Global Public Health for the Common Good

Email address: chinsen@bc.edu

Olivia (Livi) Chinsen is a senior in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Biology with a minor in Global Public Health and the Common Good. Through the GPHCG program, she's gained an interest in understanding global health disparities through an intersectional lens. Her summer abroad experience in South Africa with Professor Brittney van de Water provided her with first-hand exposure to health delivery and health equity issues on a global scale. On campus, she works as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Das Lab, fundraises for the American Cancer Society as a Co-President of BC Relay For Life, supports STEM DEI initiatives as a SACNAS Board Member, and studies global ethics and social justice as a McGillycuddy-Logue Fellow. Through her extracurriculars and abroad experiences, she strives to help others and create inclusive communities. In her free time, she likes playing intramural volleyball and chatting with friends on the quad. After graduation, Livi hopes to combine the principles she's learned through the GPHCG program and her love of science research to develop and deliver cancer therapeutics to those who need it most.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good and Biology

Email address: dansreau@bc.edu

Sarah Dansreau is a senior from Hingham Massachusetts pursuing a double major in Global Public Health and the Common Good and Biology. Through the GPHCG program, she has benefited from mentorship and support, and deepened her understanding of public health complexities. Outside of the classroom Sarah is an active participant in Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society and a Lead Social Fellow, curating and running all of Boston College social media. Participating in the GPHCG program has nurtured her passion for tackling health disparities on a global scale. Sarah’s aspirations lean towards a future dedicated to global public health, particularly emphasizing maternal and child health alongside environmental well-being.

Major: Psychology

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Email address: espadinm@bc.edu

My name is Emely Espadin-Marquez and I am a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Global Public Health and the Common Good. I am Arlington, Texas. On campus I am involved in Co-directing Sister Thea Leading Ladies , a member of Bowman Advocates and leading Arrupe. This summer, I will be interning in Buenos Aires, Argentina where I will contribute to supporting and empowering mothers and families through virtual community-building initiatives. This experience will allow me to apply my knowledge of global public health, particularly in advocating for underrepresented populations and addressing health disparities. After graduation, I plan to pursue a direct entry program in nursing, which will enable me to work directly with underserved communities to drive systemic change. I am committed to advocating for underrepresented populations and addressing disparities within the healthcare system, in alignment with the values of the GPH program.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: Managing for Social Impact and International Studies

Email: hardimmo@bc.edu

Molly Hardiman is a junior from Medfield, MA pursuing a major in Global Public Health and the Common Good. She is also pursuing a double minor in International Studies in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences and Managing for Social Impact in the Carroll School of Management. On campus, she is a member of 4Boston, the largest volunteer organization at BC, where she volunteers weekly with Steps to Success, an after school program for underprivileged children in Brookline, MA. Molly served as an undergraduate research fellow for Dr. Tara Casebolt her junior year, focusing on women with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries and the diverse health outcomes they experience. Through BC, she spent a month in South Africa exploring the South African healthcare system and the impact of stark health disparities in a global landscape, which only confirmed her interests public health. She plans to pursue a career that will positively impact the world around her at BC and beyond.

Major: Biology

Minor: Public Health

Degree Track: Pre-PA

Email address: hudsonec@bc.edu

Ella Hudson is a senior majoring in Biology and minoring in Global Public Health and the Common Good on the Pre-PA track. At BC, Ella is actively involved in Student Health and Equity Forum,  the 4Boston service initiative , and APPA. Last summer, she participated in a BC course in South Africa, exploring global health equity and accessibility in a post apartheid context. These local and global experiences, in combination with the GPHCG class curriculum, have inspired her interest in the social and environmental factors influencing population health and the various entities responsible for securing this right at multiple levels. Ella is passionate about addressing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases through community engagement, education, and preventative solutions. She aspires to a career as a PA, where she can combine her interests in direct patient care while addressing broader systemic health issues.