2024 Master of Public Health graduates share their education highlights and career aspirations

Year after year, graduates from the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences go on to powerfully impact health and health outcomes in their own neighborhoods, in California, and around the globe. Meet just a few of the 2024 Master of Public Health graduates poised to continue this tradition.

Mehaly Bekele, MPH

MPH Concentration: Biostatistics-Epidemiology
BS Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Minor in Healthcare Studies

“Engaging in research projects and collaborative work in this program with faculty and fellow students was incredibly enriching,” shares Mehaly Bekele, a first-generation college graduate in the progressive degree program. Bekele’s interest in the field of public health stems from her desire to mitigate health disparities within underserved communities. During her time at USC, Bekele served as an EH MATTERS fellow, where she contributed to the Inland Empire Children’s Respiratory Health Study, investigating environmental and social factors influencing children’s respiratory well-being in the San Bernardino and Riverside area. “Engaging with community members during this study was enlightening,” she reveals. “Their enthusiastic advocacy and participation in this study made our work deeply gratifying. My goal is to engage in comprehensive work that not only addresses healthcare frameworks but also delves into the broader context of social determinants of health. I am committed to bridging the gap for communities that feel marginalized and unheard within our current framework, ensuring that their voices and concerns are central to public health initiatives. I aspire to conduct community-driven epidemiological research aimed at developing tailored solutions to combat health disparities prevalent in these communities.”

Mia Chakroun, MPH

MPH Concentration: Global Health

“Growing up, I’ve always been fascinated by different cultures, languages, and how they relate to health,” expresses progressive degree student Mia Chakroun.  “When I discovered public health and learned about its multidisciplinary approach to improving the well-being of communities, I knew it was the field I wanted to pursue. During her time at USC, Chakroun worked on a tobacco control project, where she gained hands-on research experience. “Seeing how our work directly influenced the California Department of Public Health made me realize the significant impact one can have in this field.”

Chakroun completed her practicum experience at the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI). “This experience was an integral and transformative part of my degree, putting my knowledge and skills into practice while benefiting from the guidance of experienced professionals who helped shape my career aspirations,” she explains. “Working with the dedicated evaluation and improvement team was a particularly rewarding and meaningful experience. For my capstone project, I collaborated with SC CTSI’s community engagement team— the insights, abilities, and connections I gained have been invaluable and will undoubtedly serve me well in my future endeavors.” After Graduation, Chakroun intends to work in the non-profit sector, government, or in a role focused on community engagement.

Megan Enciso, MPH

MPH Concentration: Community Health Promotion

“My interest in public health was driven by my desire to help underserved and marginalized communities,” shares Megan Enciso. “I enjoy identifying resources and information using social determinants of health to make effective interventions or approaches.” “My most impactful education experience at USC was learning about concepts of program design and evaluation. They helped me develop better research skills and I learned the step-by-step process of creating and implementing a public health program.” Aligned with Enciso’s community health interest, her favorite course in this program was ‘Organizing and Mobilizing Communities for Public Health’, due to its focus on community-based activities away from a traditional classroom environment. Another highlight featured a field trip in the ‘Public Health Disaster Management and Response’  course, where students visited the Los Angeles Fire Department and toured the emergency operations center.

Enciso completed her practicum requirement at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). “The highlight of my practicum was interacting with different families at CHLA! I learned how to use RedCap and developed my community engagement skills,” she says.  After graduation, Enciso plans to apply her public health and communication skills to provide more services to underserved communities.

Aaron Lee, MPH

MPH Concentration: Biostatistics-Epidemiology

“My passion for public health emerged during my time at the non-profit organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters, where I witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of mentorship on young children,” reveals Aaron Lee. “My enduring interest in population-based interventions is rooted in my aspiration to effect positive change within my community. My fascination with epidemiology stems from my curiosity about disease etiology and the varying health outcomes resulting from diverse exposure statuses within socioeconomically disparate communities.” Lee completed his practicum requirement at the Pasadena Department of Public Health. He conducted an outbreak investigation of a locally acquired dengue case. “Having gained valuable insights into epidemiological principles at USC, I honed my skills in identifying potential mosquito breeding sites in front- and backyards of households,” he shares. “Furthermore, I enhanced my proficiency in contact tracing through thorough interviews with residents to ascertain their exposure and travel history.”

Lee served as the President of the Master of Public Health Student Association (MaPHSA) from 2023-2024. After graduation, he plans to pursue a doctoral degree in epidemiology.

Christina Longmire, MPH

MPH Concentration: Biostatistics-Epidemiology

“My passion for public health was fueled during my undergraduate studies, where I majored in Global Health,” shares progressive degree student Christina Longmire. “This educational journey broadened my perspective on global challenges and deepened my interest in the field. One particularly enlightening course was ‘Health Behavior Statistical Methods’, where I was captivated by the intersection between public health and statistics, steering me towards a focus on biostatistics and epidemiology. Through this graduate program, I found a special interest in maternal health and nutrition. I am eager to use data-driven approaches to improve the health and well-being of these individuals.”

Longmire completed her practicum experience at the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Center for Infectious Diseases and Virology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “One of my most impactful educational experiences was my practicum where I looked at the transmission of COVID-19 from mother to child. This opportunity deepened my interest in maternal health and inspired my passion to pursue research as a future career,” she shares. “I also gained proficiency in a range of advanced laboratory techniques, acquiring invaluable skills along the way that I know I will be able to use in my career. These included nucleic acid sequence extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR data analysis, nanopore sequencing, and utilizing a Qubit fluorometer, to name a few.”

After graduation, Longmire intends to explore Europe, and after aspires to embark on a career as a research scientist.

Learn more about how the Keck School of Medicine is celebrating the Class of 2024.