Libsyn Directory

EP165 Designing Accessible Solutions for Well-being with Spandita Sarmah

I AM GPH

Release Date: 04/24/2025

EP165 Designing Accessible Solutions for Well-being with Spandita Sarmah

I AM GPH

EP164 Health Equity for Latin and Indigenous Communities with Natalia De La Viña

I AM GPH

In this episode, we speak with Natalia De La Viña, an MPH candidate specializing in global health at NYU GPH, and explore the critical topic of health equity for Latin and Indigenous communities. With a background that uniquely blends neuroscience and Spanish, Natalia shares her journey and her commitment to serving these communities, particularly in the transborder region. We'll discuss her experiences as a pre-diabetes educator, addressing chronic conditions like diabetes through patient education and resource provision, and her passion for tackling healthcare access disparities and social...

EP163 Caregiving Innovations for an Aging Population with Rimsha Minhaz and Dr. Wilson Wang

I AM GPH

In this episode, we explore the collaboration between Rimsha Minhaz, an MPH student with a background in dentistry, and Dr. Wilson Wang, a pediatrician, health professional, and founder of WD Home and CEO of World Doctors. Driven by a desire to address disparities in healthcare access—a passion ignited by her experiences in outreach programs in South India—Rimsha pursued a Master of Public Health degree at NYU GPH. It was at NYU GPH that Rimsha's path intersected with Dr. Wang's when she took his course on data-driven decision making. Inspired by Dr. Wang's dedication to public health,...

EP162 Healing Communities and Transforming Systems with Toluwalase Akinluyi

I AM GPH

In this episode we speak with Toluwalase Akinluyi, known as LA, an MPH student studying Public Health Management. We explore her journey from physiotherapy in Nigeria to public health leadership at New York University. LA shares how she transitioned from clinical practice to policy and advocacy, her passion for healthcare management, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. As Vice President of the African Graduate Student Association at NYU, she discusses mentorship, community-building, and championing diversity in global health. We also dive into her experiences as an international...

EP161 The Science of Stress: How Social Bonds Can Protect Your Health with Dr. Stephanie Cook

I AM GPH

In this episode we speak with Dr. Stephanie Cook, Associate Professor and Director of the Attachment and Health Disparities Research Lab, about the science behind minority stress and resilience. She explains how stress manifests biologically through cortisol regulation, why chronic exposure to social discrimination dysregulates the body’s stress response, and how public health research is using biomarkers like saliva and hair samples to measure these effects. Dr. Cook also highlights the power of close relationships in buffering stress, discusses her ongoing 30-day stress tracking study, and...

EP160 From Microbiology to Global Health Leadership with Emeka Iloegbu

I AM GPH

We speak with Emeka Iloegbu, a DrPH student and global health leader with over 15 years of experience in tackling infectious diseases and strengthening health systems. From his early days volunteering with the Red Cross in New York City to playing critical roles in pandemic responses for H1N1, Zika, Ebola, COVID-19, and monkeypox, Emeka has worked at the intersection of laboratory science, public health, and policy. As an assistant professor at CUNY and a United Nations representative, he is engaged in HIV research, antimicrobial resistance, and the integration of molecular diagnostics into...

EP159 Exploring Infant Consciousness: Bioethical Insights with Claudia Passos-Ferreira

I AM GPH

In this episode we speak with Dr. Claudia Passos-Ferreira, Assistant Professor of Bioethics, as she explores the mysteries of infant consciousness. Discover how philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience intersect to answer profound questions: Do newborns experience the world like we do? When does consciousness begin? From her groundbreaking research to the ethical implications of her findings, Dr. Passos-Ferreira delves into the early stages of human awareness and its connection to bioethics, public health, and even AI. Packed with insights on morality, self-awareness, and the evolving...

EP158 Biostatistics, Gene Sequencing and Healthcare Innovation with Wenqing (Sienna) Zhang

I AM GPH

In this episode we speak with Wenqing (Sienna) Zhang (MPH '17), a trailblazer in public health and global healthcare innovation. Sienna shares how her passion for medical technology led her from studying pharmaceutical sciences to pursuing a master’s in biostatistics and epidemiology at NYU. She recounts pivotal experiences, including internships at Pfizer and the NYC Department of Health, her role at Medtronic’s first innovation accelerator in China, and her current work at Illumina, where she is driving advancements in gene sequencing worldwide. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Sienna...

EP157 From New York to Abu Dhabi: Global Health Leadership with Priya Kanayson

I AM GPH

In this episode we speak with Priya Kanayson (MPH '14) whose career has taken her from New York City to Abu Dhabi, where she is now a leader in global health policy. As Director of Advocacy and Communications at the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) and a founding member of the UAE’s Women in Global Health organization, Priya works on innovative strategies to eliminate diseases like malaria, polio, and neglected tropical diseases. She discusses the unique challenges of building a global health hub outside the traditional centers in the U.S. and Europe, highlights the...

EP156 Landing a Public Health Internship with Meagan Dugan and Gabby Sanes

I AM GPH

In this episode we speak with NYU Wasserman career coaches Meagan Dugan and Gabby Sanes about landing a public health internship, sharing unique, actionable strategies and tactics for students. They discuss how to tailor resumes and cover letters to align with specific job descriptions, including tips on highlighting even unconventional experience—like customer service roles—as transferable skills. The coaches also cover tools like Big Interview, which helps students optimize their resumes for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Listeners will learn how to strategically search for roles on...

More Episodes

In this episode we explore the link between accessibility and public health with Spandita Sarmah (Tandon '23), a human-centered designer whose experience at Google, T-Mobile, and Deloitte focuses on creating a healthier world for everyone. This episode delves into Spandita's journey from software engineering, fine arts, and graphic design to her passion for user research and her advocacy for designing "with," not "for," users. Discover how her work, including the development of a hand gesture recognition system to aid individuals with fine motor impairments and her insights on tactile alternatives for those with vision impairment, challenges conventional design standards. Learn why inclusive design is essential for equitable access to health resources, promoting overall well-being, and fostering environments where all individuals, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and fully participate in society. We'll discuss how accessibility impacts everything from digital experiences to physical spaces, ultimately contributing to a more just and healthy community.

To learn more about the NYU School of Global Public Health, and how our innovative programs are training the next generation of public health leaders, visit http://www.publichealth.nyu.edu.

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