Dunqing is a second-year MPH candidate at the NYU School of Global Public Health with a concentration in Environmental Public Health. He previously graduated with a BA in Public Health and a BE in Occupational Safety and Health from Muskingum University in Ohio.
He is interested in the intersection of environmental health with emergency preparedness and response in occupational settings. During the pandemic, he interned at the Chinese CDC and Emergency Management Department in Shenzhen, China.
To learn more about Dunqing Li, we spoke with the master’s student about his public health journey from coal mines to COVID-19. Read our Q&A with Dunqing below!
Interview by Shelagh Herzog.
Q: What do you enjoy about public health?
A: I enjoy the sense of accomplishment that public health gives me. Whether I’m conducting research to identify risk factors for diseases, coming up with strategies to promote healthy behaviors, or responding to public health emergencies, I know my work is making a positive difference. Since public health is such an interdisciplinary field, I get to work with all sorts of people – healthcare professionals, government officials, environmental experts, you name it! It has also taught me that these issues are complex and constantly changing.
Q: What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in public health?
A: The COVID-19 pandemic. I never experienced a public health event on such a large scale. As the pandemic swept through China and the world, I realized my life was changing rapidly – schools were closing and the healthcare system was overwhelmed. Unequal distribution of health care, inadequate emergency response and preparedness, and the exacerbation of pre-existing problems were all exposed in the pandemic. That’s when I decided to continue my studies in public health as it felt like the right thing to do.
Q: Can you talk about your background in occupational health and safety issues?
A: In my practice with occupational safety and health, I’ve been to factories and coal mines. A lot of them are difficult places to work – hot, noisy, and stuffy. Even folks who’ve had safety training, still take risks – ditching their masks or not doing work by the book. Human behavior and uncertainty are what make keeping accidents from happening so complex.
Q: Why are you interested in the field of emergency preparedness and response?
A: In 2015, when I was in high school, a catastrophic mudslide occurred not far from my home, destroying more than 30 buildings, and killing 73 people. Investigations showed the mudslide was not a natural disaster but caused by human factors such as the lack of an effective drainage system and protection measures, disorderly placement of debris, and mismanagement. The catastrophic event left a deep impression on me, and I became concerned with similar events like the Bhopal disaster. One thing they all have in common is lax safety practices and inadequate emergency preparedness and response. My earliest thought was that I can contribute to these areas.
Q: What is a current emergency or disaster that you believe is critical to address?
A: I believe climate change is an emergency we must address. According to recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), our planet will exceed the critical 1.5°C threshold in the next decade if actions aren’t taken. We are already seeing climate change intensify. West Africa experienced the deadliest floods in its history, affecting 33 million people, and destroying infrastructure. Floods are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to climate change disasters. The likelihood and severity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, heat waves, and droughts, are all on the rise.
Q: How do you handle stress and pressure?
A: I like to exercise. Whenever I’m feeling stressed, I like to squeeze in a quick workout session to clear my head. Taking a break afterward lets me recharge and get my energy back, so I’m ready for whatever comes next.
Q: What is next for you after you complete your MPH degree?
A: I hope to pursue a PhD in public health or a related field after I complete my MPH degree. It is an opportunity for me to be able to delve more deeply into public health issues that interest me and conduct original research along with sharing my experience with more people.
Q: Who is your favorite public health figure and why?
A: Florence Nightingale because she was the first public health figure I learned about when I was a kid and her story touched me. She was working as a nurse during a war, and she realized how crucial hygiene and sanitation are in medical facilities. It completely transformed the field of nursing and saved lives in the process.