About Us

Strategic Priorities for 2022-2027

Select exemplary student work from NYU for publication
Update the journal’s website monthly with internship/conference/career development opportunities
Collect relevant news articles and journal publications to update website with recent developments in the field
Strengthen the knowledge and skills of the journal’s editorial team
Promote evidence-based practices in public health disaster management and among NYU GPH students
Create an inclusive and empowering academic and professional space for discussions and exchange of knowledge

Copyright and Authors’ Rights

The NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters respects the rights of all authors who possess the copyright of their work. All works in this journal appear with the consent of the authors or copyright holders.

Faculty Editors-in-Chief

Dr. Robyn Gershon

Dr. Gershon is an interdisciplinary occupational and environmental health and safety researcher with extensive experience in the areas of disaster preparedness, healthcare safety, and risk assessment and management in high-risk work occupations. She earned her doctorate in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health, where she was on faculty for several years. Click here to view her website

Dr. Alexis Merdjanoff

Dr. Alexis Merdjanoff is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Social and Behavioral Sciences at New York University’s School of Global Public Health. Trained as a sociologist, the goal of her research is to understand the factors that shape the preparedness, recovery, and resilience of individuals and communities exposed to acute disasters, including floods, hurricanes, and wildfires, as well as slow-onset climate disasters such as sea-level rise and coastal erosion.

Jamie Epstein

Jamie is a second year Master of Public Health student at New York University in the Environmental Public Health Concentration. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Public Health from NYU, and a background in journalism. Jamie is interested in protecting the public from environmental hazards, disaster response, and communication tactics throughout the public health field. In her free time, Jamie enjoys doing ceramics, reading Stephen King, and playing with her cats.

Lotte Brush

Lotte Brush is a 4+1 MPH student. At NYU Gallatin, she studies the History of Science, with a focus on how medical knowledge has been influenced by racism and sexism. At the School of Global Public Health, she studies public health policy, pursuing her passion for health equity. In her free time, she enjoys collaging, green spaces, and petting people’s cats.

Lois Angelo

Lois is a second year MPH student at the School of Global Public Health. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in human development and aging as well as a minor in occupational science. He loves playing with his dog Toby and playing ultimate frisbee.

Rachel Zipin

Rachel is a first-year student receiving a Master of Public Health at New York University with a concentration in Community Health Science
and Practice. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Emory University and also has experience working in PR and Marketing. Her goal is to work in health communications to advocate for reproductive justice, women’s health stigma, and the environment. Outside of NYU, Rachel works at a Pilates studio and enjoys concerts and walks in Central Park.

Student Editors

Angel Kanda

Angel is a second-year graduate student in Epidemiology and holds a degree in Dentistry. Passionate about public health and community well-being, she focuses on using data analysis and qualitative research to address health disparities and improve health outcomes. She aspires to work closely with communities to create meaningful change. Outside academics, she enjoys reading, exploring NYC, and discovering new experiences.

Anisha Parmar

Anisha is a first-year Master of Public Health student at New York University, in the Epidemiology concentration. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas. Anisha is interested in educating people about the dangers of climate change, working with refugees, and making medicine more accessible around the world. With experience as a clinical research coordinator, she aims to contribute to these critical areas. In her free time, Anisha enjoys crocheting and playing field hockey.

Diya Mehta

Diya is a graduate student receiving her Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health at NYU’s School of Global Public Health. She is from Chicago, IL and has a Bachelor of Science in Global Health from Georgetown University with a premed background. Diya’s goal is to provide clinical work in vulnerable populations to minimize the disparities and gaps across the realm of public health. Outside of that, Diya loves photography, running, and trying new things!

Maya Angelina Caple

Maya Angelina Caple is a second year graduate student at New York University in their School of Global Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Science and Practice. She is from the San Francisco Bay Area and is on the pre-medical track. Her goal is to one day become a physician, working towards not only fixing immediate health concerns, but to overtime contribute to dismantling health disparities, especially in people of color. Outside of being a student at NYU, she works at Stanford University School of Medicine, as a Clinical Research Coordinator for a COVID-19 study. Being a former collegiate athlete, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her Doberman Pinscher, Neptune. Maya is interested in researching health equity and access in the realm of public health disasters.

Iris Auyeung

Iris is driven by a strong interest in public health solutions and addressing public health disparities through policy drafting. She joins the internship and hopes to use her writing, debate experience, and social science research skills to produce practical solutions in addressing real-world issues with all stakeholders in mind. She is a part of the faculty team and works alongside with professor in compiling evidence-based techniques to drive positive changes in public health, especially in mitigation strategies for public health events. She has published a case study on the recent California wildfires and is working on a disaster plan proposal on a natural disaster. This experience offers direct exposure to professional-level research and writing employed by government agencies and institutions like hospitals and health departments. She learned analytical skills and a systematic approach to addressing global issues where all parties’ needs are emphasized. Iris hopes to stay at the forefront of current research and methodologies, ensuring that her work contributes to advancing public health practices and policies that promote fairness, accessibility, and improve the safety and well-being of communities.

Complex Public Health Disasters (CPHD) Lab Manager

Natalia Ramon

Natalia is a Master of Public Health student concentrating in Epidemiology at NYU’s School of Global Public Health. Originally from Houston, Texas, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a research focus and a premed background from Houston Baptist University. As a Graduate Research Associate at the Applied Global Public Health Initiative, she integrates research with public health practice and aims to pursue an MD to lead efforts in emergency response and maternal health advocacy. Natalia also founded the NYU chapter of the International Association of Emergency Managers. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, MMA, and cheering for the Houston Astros – go ’Stros!

Contact Us

NYU School of Global Public Health

708 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-992-674

If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, please contact our editorial team at jphd@nyu.edu.