Alum Spotlights – NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters

March 23, 2022March 29, 2023

Bethlehem Tesfaye

Bethlehem Tesfaye is currently working towards an MPH in Global Health Concentration and an Advanced Certificate in Public Health Disaster Science, Policy, and Practice. Originally from Ethiopia, Tesfaye graduated with her first bachelor’s from George Mason University in Health Science Management and completed an accelerated nursing program at Marymount University. After working as an oncology nurse in Washington, DC for eight years, she relocated to Pretoria, South Africa.

March 9, 2022March 30, 2023

Zhiyuan Chen

Zhiyuan Chen has split his career between China and the United States, working as a public health physician in Shanghai, China as well as for the CDC within the HIV/AIDS and TB departments. He has also worked in a research position at the Yale School of Public Health, studying gene expression in mouse models and providing evidence for the prevention of chronic diseases.

January 26, 2022September 11, 2023

Dr. Rozalba Gogaj

Dr. Gogaj completed her MD from Albania and is now a student of the MPH program with a concentration in Global Health. Although she enjoyed her career as a clinician, she believes that population health is equally necessary.

January 26, 2022March 17, 2023

Jonathan Feelemyer

Jonathan Feelemyer has an extensive research background in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. His main focus lies in the field of HIV/AIDS and is passionate about reducing harm in exposed populations.

January 26, 2022March 17, 2023

Emily Chen

Emily Chen was a Master of Public Health student at NYU’s School of Global Public Health, pursuing a degree with a concentration on Public Health Management and Policy. During her time at NYU, she explored her interest in public health disaster prevention and preparedness after being inspired by her peer, who has worked for FEMA and the American Red Cross, to learn more about the field.

January 26, 2022March 17, 2023

Paola Torres

Paola Torres’ educational background and professional experiences provided her with opportunities to travel to El Salvador, different areas in Mexico and the USA. She started her public health career at the University of California – Irvine and then went on to work for the AmeriCorps, from there she joined NYU to get an MPH in Environmental Health and work with the YMCA.

January 26, 2022March 17, 2023

Dr. Oscar San Román Orozco

Oscar San Roman was born and raised in Mexico and completed his medical school training to be an EMT at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. From a young age, he found a need and value in altruism and serving individuals and communities, which inspired and guided his professional choices.

January 26, 2022March 17, 2023

Cat Hartwell

Cat Hartwell is a Global Health MPH student with an interest in the intersection of public health and climate change. She has extensive experience in the film industry as a producer of documentaries and non-fiction television. In her work, she has immersed herself in various topics relating to public health, such as harm reduction in the opioid crisis, reproductive rights, climate change, just to name a few.

January 26, 2022March 17, 2023

Methyl Grace Barro

Methyl Grace Barro was pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a concentration in Global Health. She has participated in many emergency management positions prior to attending NYU, including Emergency Preparedness Coordinator of the Hospital Preparedness program at New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

January 26, 2022March 17, 2023

Eric Rochman

Eric Rochman is a part-time Master of Public Health student pursuing a degree with a concentration in epidemiology. He has had 4 years of experience working in Paraguay, initially as a Rural Health and Sanitation Volunteer and then as an HIV/AIDS and Programming and Training Coordinator with the Peace Corps.