Departmental Second-Year Student Awards
Godness Biney (MS, Epidemiology)
Godness Biney is a dedicated doctoral researcher at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an experienced medical practitioner from Ghana. With a strong commitment to bridging the gap between research and policy implementation in Ghana, Godness co-founded Ghanaian Scholars Abroad, a non-governmental organization (NGO) aimed at bringing together scholars of Ghanaian descent worldwide to leverage their expertise and form a formidable alliance with local stakeholders to address this gap. Godness is also involved in other NGOs, such as the Stem for Development and Global Connect Foundation, which all aim to promote equity in education and health, respectively. His research interests span global health, maternal and child health, and cardiovascular disease epidemiology, with a focus on the intersection between genetics and cardiometabolic diseases. Godness is particularly passionate about identifying innovative ways of predicting and preventing cardiometabolic diseases, especially type 2 diabetes mellitus. After graduating, Godness aims to continue working as a researcher to make meaningful contributions in his field. Beyond academics, Godness enjoys reading and listening to podcasts, enriching his knowledge, and broadening his perspective.
I have profound gratitude for the generous donation toward the Departmental Second-Year Student Award. Receiving this prestigious award at the School of Public Health and Health Sciences ceremony was truly an honor. This scholarship alleviates the financial burden associated with my graduate studies and honors my dedication and achievements. It serves as a testament to my hard work and resilience and further motivates me to pursue my dreams without limits.
Ben Goldberg (MS, Biostatistics)
Ben Goldberg is a graduate of the 4 + 1 Master’s in Biostatistics program at UMass Amherst. His research took place in The Ouyang Lab studying breast cancer genetics. Last summer, Ben had an internship at Boston Children's Hospital, where he assisted with multiple studies about Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. In the future, Ben hopes to become a biostatistician. In his free time, he likes to watch sports, play video games, paint-by-numbers, and go for walks.
I would like to express my gratitude for receiving the Departmental Second-Year Student Award. Being presented with an award two years in a row, has been such a great honor and experience. You have helped me fulfill my dream to be here for both undergraduate and graduate school.
Rebecca Hunt (MS, Epidemiology)
Rebecca Hunt is a recent graduate from the accelerated 4+1 program in Epidemiology with a focus area in Epidemiology and Vulnerable Populations and a minor in Natural Resources Conservation. Throughout her time at UMass, Rebecca served as a peer advisor and research assistant. Her thesis examined experiences of discrimination and markers of cardiometabolic health using data from the Pioneer Valley Stress Study, which she was a research assistant for during her graduate studies. In her free time, she loves to care for her pets (a dog, a cat, and an aquarium full of fish), watch horror movies with friends, and crochet. After graduating, Rebecca hopes to pursue a fellowship or work as a state-level epidemiologist.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for selecting me as a recipient of the Departmental Second-Year Student Award. It is with immense appreciation that I accept this generous honor. Receiving this scholarship will help alleviate the burden of my student loans, which is particularly important as I leave UMass Amherst and embark on the next part of my academic and professional journey. I am committed to honoring your investment by continuing to work hard and being the best epidemiologist I can be.