David Hosmer Outstanding First-Year Student Awards

Hyunwoo Do

Hyunwoo Do (4+1 MPH, Epidemiology)

Hyunwoo Do is a graduate student in the Accelerated 4+1 Master's in Public Health in Epidemiology program. Originally from Milford, Massachusetts, Hyunwoo began his journey at UMass Amherst as a transfer student in the undergraduate public health program, where he discovered his passion for the field after the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. Since then, he has been deeply committed to public health. He is particularly interested in epidemiology due to its potential to drive societal change. Hyunwoo believes that evidence-based approaches, often pioneered by epidemiology, are crucial for supporting programs and policies grounded in public health. He is eager to contribute to the field alongside other passionate public health professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. One of Hyunwoo's lifelong goals is to work at the World Health Organization, and he plans to gain professional experience after completing his graduate program. Outside of academics, Hyunwoo enjoys various hobbies, including taekwondo, archery, and dancing.

What initially sparked my interest in infectious disease has since blossomed into a lifelong passion for disease prevention and health promotion. As I immersed myself in public health coursework during my undergraduate studies, my vision and goals became clearer. Today, I am captivated by various aspects of public health, including public mental health and global health epidemiology. Amidst these diverse interests, my purpose remains steadfast: to contribute to a safer, healthier world through dedicated, evidence-based epidemiological practice.

I firmly believe that the program at UMass Amherst serves as a critical steppingstone toward achieving my aspirations as a public health professional. Despite the rigor of the coursework, I am confident that the program, along with the real-world experience gained through the practicum, will thoroughly prepare me for the field. My goal is to work at the World Health Organization, and I intend to pursue a career as an epidemiologist. Moreover, I hope to attain a doctoral degree to enhance my knowledge and skills, positioning myself as a leader in public health.

Words cannot express the depth of my gratitude for receiving this scholarship. Since embarking on the path of public health, I have found immense joy in my academic and professional experiences. Each class serves as a constant reminder of why I chose this field, reaffirming my commitment every single day. This perpetual enthusiasm fuels my thirst for knowledge and fuels my determination to learn and grow as an aspiring public health professional.

Throughout my academic journey, I have always strived for growth and excellence. However, I have often neglected to step back and truly acknowledge and appreciate my accomplishments. The honor of receiving this award has allowed me to celebrate my achievements not only for myself but also with my loved ones and those who care about me. It is a significant and meaningful milestone in my academic journey, reminding me that hard work and determination will always prevail.

This scholarship holds significant meaning to me as it not only recognizes my achievements but also alleviates the financial burden associated with pursuing my graduate studies. Starting my professional career without the weight of student debt is a pivotal milestone that I strive to achieve, and this scholarship award plays a crucial role in making that aspiration a reality. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude once again for your generosity in selecting me as a recipient of this prestigious award. I accept this recognition with deep pride and a renewed determination to continue pursuing excellence and success, fueled by my unwavering passion for public health. 

Margaret Gillis

Margaret Gillis (MS, Biostatistics)

Margaret Gillis has just finished her first year in the Master of Science in Biostatistics program at UMass Amherst. She decided to get her Master’s in Biostatistics after graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in Fall 2021. The choice to pursue this path came after being a caretaker for her grandparents and watching them struggle to navigate through treatment options. In her free time, Margaret enjoys reading books, watching sports documentaries, and traveling. This past summer, Margaret worked for T1D exchange as a quality improvement intern on their analyst team.  After graduation, Margaret hopes to work in clinical trials to provide better care and treatment to patients.

Thank you so much for awarding me the David Hosmer Scholarship. This scholarship helps alleviate some of the stress of affording graduate school. I am so grateful to be able to receive this scholarship and continue to work towards my future as a biostatistician. I hope to help change the healthcare system for the better and really use my passion for statistics to do that. Thank you again for being so generous.

Ryan Grossman

Ryan Grossman (MS, Biostatistics)

Ryan Grossman is a Master's student studying Biostatistics at UMass. With a passion for mathematics and health sciences, he is committed to utilizing his quantitative skills to make a positive impact on people's lives. Beyond academia, Ryan enjoys weightlifting, golfing, and hiking as ways to find balance. His interest in biostatistics stems from a desire to employ data science in improving public health and helping individuals lead healthier lives. After graduating, Ryan aims to find a career where he can make a tangible impact and contribute to the betterment of society through his expertise.

I am writing to express my gratitude for being awarded the David Hosmer Outstanding First Year Masters Student Award. I am truly honored to receive this prestigious recognition from such a distinguished department. 

This award is a significant milestone in my academic journey, and I am sincerely thankful for the acknowledgment of my dedication and achievements. I extend my deepest appreciation to the faculty and staff of the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology for their invaluable support and guidance throughout my first year. 

Receiving this award has reinforced my passion for biostatistics. I am honored to be a part of the department and look forward to contributing to its mission. Thank you once again for this esteemed recognition.

Godness Biney

Godness Biney (MS, Epidemiology)

Godness Biney is a medical practitioner (clinical physician associate) from Ghana who is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Epidemiology. Growing up in a small, underserved community, he witnessed the profound impact of health inequalities, particularly on women and children, which ignited his deep-seated passion to address these disparities. With a research focus on chronic disease prevention and cardiometabolic health, Godness aims to make significant contributions to the fight against type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic disorders. Committed to fostering diversity and representation, he actively serves as the Graduate Student Senator for the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, advocating for his fellow graduate students. As the Public Relations Officer/Social Media Coordinator for the African Graduates and Scholars Association (AGASA), he aims to promote inclusivity on campus. Moreover, his involvement as a mentor for STEM for Development, a US-based NGO supporting students in STEM fields worldwide, showcases his dedication to empowering aspiring scholars and fostering academic development. Additionally, as a Health Coordinator for the Global Connect Foundation, Godness actively engages in promoting healthcare delivery to underserved communities in Ghana. Post-graduation, he envisions pursuing a PhD in Epidemiology to advance his research endeavors and further contribute to addressing health inequities in Ghana. In his leisure time, Godness finds solace in reading and listening to podcasts, enriching his knowledge and broadening his perspective.

I am writing this letter filled with gratitude to express my deepest appreciation for your generous contribution towards the David Hosmer Outstanding First Year Student Award Scholarship. I am honored to have been selected as the recipient of this prestigious award, recognizing my outstanding performance in my first year at UMass Amherst.

Receiving this award has been a tremendous encouragement to me. It means a lot to me to be acknowledged for my academic achievements and commitment to excellence in my studies. Your support has not only alleviated the financial burden associated with educational expenses but has also reaffirmed my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field of public health. Growing up in a small, underserved community in Ghana, I have personally witnessed the challenges communities face regarding healthcare accessibility and quality. It inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and health and has sustained my desire to pursue public health (epidemiology). This award will not only enable me to continue my studies but will also empower me to develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and networks to contribute to addressing these disparities. I am determined to utilize this opportunity to the fullest and work towards creating sustainable solutions that will improve the health and well-being of individuals in my country and beyond.

I was attracted to the Epidemiology program at UMass Amherst, given its structure, facilities and resources, and outstanding expertise and breadth of the faculty. As an international student who arrived two weeks later than expected due to difficulties obtaining a visa, my first few weeks were challenging. However, I was amazed by the tremendous support I received from the faculty to help me settle down and have a smooth transition. After this experience, I am confident that I made the right decision to come to UMass and convinced that the faculty would help me succeed in all my endeavors by providing amazing resources and the right connections for me to succeed. This past semester, I met Dr. Cassandra N. Spracklen whose works I have long been interested in. I am honored to work with her for my master's thesis. Overall, my first year at UMass has been amazing, and I look forward to my final year as an MS student. 

I feel privileged and deeply grateful to have been selected for the esteemed David Hosmer Outstanding First-Year Student Award. As an international student, securing financial assistance is a challenging endeavor. Your incredible generosity, along with that of other individuals and organizations, has not only made it possible for me to pursue my goals but has also relieved the financial burden I would have otherwise encountered. This recognition serves as a source of motivation for me to strive for excellence persistently. I wholeheartedly appreciate your kindness and the invaluable support you have extended.

Umu-Kultumie Tejan-Jalloh

Umu-Kultumie Tejan-Jalloh (MS, Epidemiology)

Umu-Kultumie Tejan-Jalloh is pursuing her Master of Sciences in Epidemiology. A native of Sierra Leone, she aspires to contribute to improving the Sierra Leonean public health sector. Umu-Kultumie has worked at Baystate Medical Center as a clinical laboratory scientist, and has been actively promoting diversity on campus as a member of the African Graduates and Scholars Association (AGASA). Further, she is involved in a reoccurring public health outreach program that promotes public dental health in Sierra Leone. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue her Ph.D. in Epidemiology.

I write to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your organization for selecting me for this privilege. My first year of the master's program has been a remarkable journey, and I am honored to have received your support. Your generosity will significantly contribute to my educational pursuits, and I am deeply grateful.  

I am from the West African country of Sierra Leone, a country burdened with a high prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases and where opportunities for public health research are limited in scope and impact. For women, fewer opportunities exist because there are several barriers to women's representation in health and science. I am dedicated to pursuing a career that focuses on spreading awareness of preventing and managing infectious and chronic diseases while inspiring young women in Sierra Leone.  

I chose the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, because I believed its extraordinary Master of Science in Epidemiology program will equip me with excellent analytical and quantitative skills for my future pursuits. The program has outstanding faculty who are experts in pedagogy and research in chronic and infectious diseases across contexts. The faculty, together with the high quality of students in the program, have made the school year exciting for me. I have enjoyed all my classes, especially data management, which allowed me to gain invaluable coding experience in SAS.  

Once again, I am honored and humbled to have been selected as the recipient of the David Hosmer Outstanding First-Year Student Award. For us international students, obtaining financial support can be challenging. With the generosity of individuals and organizations such as yours, we can achieve our goals and alleviate the financial burden that makes studying in the United States near impossible.  

This award strongly motivates me to continue working hard to pursue my goals. I appreciate your generosity and the invaluable help you have provided.

Benjamin Goldberg

Benjamin Goldberg (4+1 MS, Biostatistics) 

Ben Goldberg has been interested in biostatistics ever since he was in high school. When he was younger, he took a course on edX about biostatistics and fell in love with the subject. Since then, he has been on a mission to get his master's in biostatistics. As an undergraduate, he majored in biochemistry, but took many math courses as well. He enjoyed these math courses quite a lot, and so applied for the 4 + 1 master in biostatistics program here at UMass Amherst. Currently, he is taking four biostatistics-related courses and is conducting research in The Ouyang Lab about breast cancer genetics. He hopes to publish a paper about it by the beginning of next year. Last summer, he had an internship at Boston Children's Hospital where he helped out with multiple studies about Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. In the future, he hopes to become a biostatistician. In his free time, he likes to watch sports, play video games, paint by the numbers, and go for walks.

I want to express my gratitude for your generous David Hosmer Scholarship. I won The David Hosmer Scholarship last spring as a first-year student in biostatistics. The opportunity meant a lot to me as I had been working very hard as a first-year student in biostatistics. I was very proud to hear my name called at the award ceremony. Furthermore, the generous amount of money provided to me has allowed me to continue to pursue my goal of doing my master's of biostatistics here at The University of Massachusetts at Amherst. My dream was always to be here for both undergraduate and graduate school, and you have helped me fulfill that dream. This school is so wonderful, and I am happy that I can be here to learn and grow as a student and a person. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your generosity.

Bio-Epi Department Award for Outstanding Second-Year Students

Pablo Fernandez

Pablo Fernandez (4+1, Epidemiology)

Pablo Fernandez (he/him) recently completed his Master of Science degree in Epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. During his time at UMass, he has thrived academically and held various positions as a teaching and research assistant. He has explored topics such as Latino men’s health, mental health, biobehavioral health, teen substance use, and suicide prevention. In his free time, he likes to walk his dogs and go to the movies. He will be continuing his interest in social justice through health-related research as a professional career. Pablo hopes to one day be a professor where he can continue his research while mentoring and teaching others with similar passions.

I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for your generosity in making this award possible. It is an honor to be a recipient, and I am truly grateful for your support.

I come from Natick, Massachusetts, where my passion for public health first sparked. My mom moved to Natick in hopes of a better life. To put it short, we struggled. These unfortunate but transformative experiences have enriched my perspective on health and access for people of color. If I pursued higher education, I could show the world what families like mine experience daily.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been my home for five years. In 2018 I started my academic career where I majored in Public Health and Spanish and minored in Afro-American Studies. As if three subjects were not enough, I additionally applied to the accelerated master of science degree program in epidemiology. 

Your generous scholarship will continue to be instrumental in shaping my future. As a recipient of this award, I am able to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with pursuing higher education. The recognition and support of this scholarship mean a great deal to me and my family. Your belief in my potential has instilled in me confidence and motivation to continue striving for excellence in my studies and future career.  

Once again, I express my heartfelt appreciation for your support and for choosing me as a recipient of the David Hosmer Award. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunities this scholarship provides. Your philanthropy serves as a guiding light, and I hope to one day pay it forward and support aspiring students, just as you have supported me. 

Thank you for your belief in my potential and for investing in my education. I am forever grateful for your generosity.

Natalia Putnam

Natalia Putnam (4+1, Epidemiology)

Natalia Putnam (she/her) recently graduated with an MS in Epidemiology from the 4+1 Accelerated Master's Program. She earned her BS in public health with a focus area in global women’s health. Natalia is a social epidemiologist interested in queer health research. Her master’s thesis was on sexual orientation differences in the association between physical activity and allostatic load. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her cat and reading. She plans to move to London to join her fiancée (who’s in veterinary school) and gain work experience before applying to PhD programs.

I thank the selection committee for recognizing my academic achievements, accomplishments and potential. Receiving this award has been an honor and highlight of my academic career. 
I would like to extend my thanks to Professor Nicole VanKim, whose support has been instrumental in guiding me as a student and epidemiologist.

As I transition from my academic pursuits to new challenges and opportunities, I am committed to utilizing the skills and knowledge I have learned from the faculty in the department. I am eager to embark on this new chapter and make a positive difference.

Thank you once again for this incredible honor. I am deeply grateful for your support and encouragement.

Scott Hebert and guest at the 2023 SPHHS Scholarship Awards Celebration

Scott Hebert (MS, Biostatistics)

Scott Hebert is a recent graduate with an MS in Biostatistics from UMass Amherst. He continues to work with the Ouyang Lab at the university to further refine his thesis, which evaluated potential genetic links of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment for submission to publications. He works at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School as a healthcare data analyst. He likes to ride motorcycles and cook. He plans to continue his studies in the field and work in biostatistics, specifically involving neurodegenerative diseases.

Thank you so much for your generosity in funding this scholarship! I am honored to be a recipient of it. I hope to continue my studies in the field of biostatistics, and this scholarship will help me to work toward that goal. I also am hoping to purchase a home in the future, and this scholarship will also help me achieve that goal. Scholarship awards like this are so helpful for students, and they are available only by the kindness of donors. I cannot thank you enough, and I wish you the best.

Li Shandross

Li Shandross (MS, Biostatistics)

Li Shandross is a recent graduate of the 4+1 MS in Biostatistics program at UMass Amherst after previously completing a BS in mathematics and statistics at the university. While Li has always been drawn to math and science, biostatistics holds a particular appeal since it allows one to take data and interpret it to solve real world problems. Following graduation, Li hopes to make specific and measurable improvements to better people's lives through biostatistics and public health. Outside of school and work, Li enjoys dancing, writing, and spending time with friends.

I deeply appreciate your generosity in supporting the education of students and new graduates like me and for helping me to pursue a meaningful career in a field that is both personally fulfilling and that allows me to contribute to bettering the world.

The knowledge I have acquired through the master's program has been engaging, valuable, and practical. I gained a baseline level of public health knowledge from the Introduction to Epidemiology and Greatest Challenges in Public Health classes, which I then expanded through courses in categorical data analysis, statistical methods in data science, and time series models. My experience working on final projects that involve real-world data has prepared me to effectively tackle the challenges in my future career, and I am excited to put these skills to use to solve real-world problems.

I chose to write a thesis to fulfill my culminating experience requirement, a process which felt like the perfect complement to my in-classroom learning. My faculty mentors truly helped me grow as a student and academic thinker, and I am incredibly grateful for their guidance. The research experience of completing a thesis has prepared me for my career going forward. My topic consisted of applying a new forecasting method to predict COVID-19 hospitalizations in the US to address current inadequacies. This method involved combining forecasts made at different timescales to create more accurate forecasts than would be possible using only a single timescale. The work also included combining multiple models into ensembles and comparing the performance of all the different models.

During this past year, I also worked as a programmer for the Reich Lab, one of several public health research labs on campus. This job allowed me to expand my skills in software package and infrastructure development; building, monitoring, and evaluating infectious disease models and their resulting forecasts; and managing large data repositories. Performing these types of operational tasks further supplemented my academic experiences at UMass Amherst. I have also collaborated on larger projects with outside organizations in which we further forecast infectious diseases.

My academic and work experiences during my five years at UMass Amherst have been wonderful, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had, both as an undergraduate and graduate student. Your generosity will help me as I move forward with my career as a proud UMass Amherst alum. Scholarships like this one helped me throughout my time as a student to pursue opportunities I might not otherwise have considered due to my family's financial circumstances, and I cannot thank you enough as a donor. I hope that you know how much of a difference you are making and have made in both my life and the lives of other scholarship recipients.

Emile Somda

Emile Somda (MPH, Epidemiology)

Emile Somda graduated from medical school in Burkina Faso in West Africa. Living in a new environment and throughout the past two years, he has built English language skills, earned the skill of adaptability and flexibility, and the ability to succeed in an unfamiliar environment.

I want to thank you for making it possible for me to receive this generous award. I am graduating this spring with a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. As my second year in Epidemiology winds down, I can say it was a fantastic year! 

I am happy to say that I received a job offer at the end of my summer internship at the Worcester Department of Public Health! I will join them as the maternal and child health manager, coordinating community initiatives while finishing my degree.

As you can see, good things happened to me! None of this would be possible without the excellent education I am receiving at UMass. I am also a father of two young children, and this scholarship would help lower the burden of the student loan and allow me to have a good start focused on my job, my career, and being able to take care of my family.

I can’t thank you enough for giving me the David Hosmer Award. I hope that I am making you proud!

Diane J. Mundt Memorial Scholarship

Álvaro Castro Rivadeneira

Álvaro J. Castro Rivadeneira

Álvaro J. Castro Rivadeneira was born in Quito, Ecuador, where he completed high school with honors. He obtained a B.Sc. in Biochemistry at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and was heavily involved in activist groups including the Burma Solidarity Collective, Amnesty International, and Habitat for Humanity during that period. In the hopes of working in fields that could directly improve people’s well-being, he completed a medical degree at the Universidad Internacional del Ecuador in Quito where he was involved with a health policy advocacy group. After arriving in the United States in 2018, Álvaro taught at Springfield College in Springfield, MA for one year, before joining the epidemiology PhD program at UMass Amherst with the intention to work on research that seeks to reduce health and social inequities. His current research focuses on economic disparities and gambling harms. Álvaro has lived in seven countries across five continents, has practiced as a medical doctor in low resource settings in Ecuador and Nepal, has taught a range of subjects and students from elementary to graduate, and has worked for the U.S. State Department. In his free time, Álvaro likes to read, run, bike, hike, go to music shows, and spend time with his wife, and with his twin twelve-year-old daughters.

I want to offer my deep gratitude and appreciation for having selected me for this scholarship. Reading about Diane J. Mundt I learned that she tried to do good at home and abroad, working on research topics that directly impacted clinical practice, something I seek to emulate. I intend to investigate ways to address the socioeconomic disparities that stratify our health based on wealth, heritage, and citizenship. As an indebted student in my forties, with financial responsibilities to my family, this scholarship will be very helpful in allowing me to complete my degree. 

Rachel Wacks

Rachel Wacks (PhD, Epidemiology)

Rachel Wacks is a dedicated public health practitioner, scholar, and activist. With an impressive academic background and over a decade of work experience, Rachel came to UMass with an undergraduate degree from Agnes Scott College where she double majored in history and political science. She further honed her expertise by obtaining a master’s degree in American military history and the history of medicine from Florida State University, followed by a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from Boston University. After completing her MPH, Rachel began a career at the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs where she oversaw a multicenter randomized clinical trial; however, the heartbreaking loss of her younger brother to suicide served as a profound turning point, prompting Rachel to redirect her focus and dedicate her time to earning a doctoral degree. As a rising third-year doctoral student, Rachel is completing her coursework this upcoming academic year, and hopes to defend her dissertation proposal in the Spring of 2024. After graduation, Rachel hopes to move to Atlanta to continue her lifelong commitment to federal service while also teaching at her alma mater’s public health department – now their most popular major! In her free time, Rachel is an avid reader, a history and science nerd, loves music, especially Stevie Nicks, and her five (and a half!) year old niece is her entire world.

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for being chosen as the 2023 Diane J. Mundt Scholarship recipient. I am honored and humbled to have been selected for this award, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities it will afford me.

To me, this scholarship is more than the financial support it provides. Just weeks ago, I completed my comprehensive exams. In the coming academic year, I will take my last remaining coursework. To have the support of your family and the faculty of the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at this pivotal time means so much. I am truly grateful for your belief in my potential as an epidemiologist.

I am determined to meaningfully contribute to the field of epidemiology. This scholarship helps to alleviate some of the financial burden of my education, particularly as a non-traditional, return to school student. Your support will allow me to spend much of the summer working on my research and to participate in a data course, instead of working full-time. Your investment in my education and future is truly humbling. I promise to work diligently, inside and outside the classroom, to honor your trust and the memory of Diane. I am truly grateful for your support. Your kindness and generosity will not be forgotten, and I hope to one day pay it forward by supporting other aspiring scholars, just as you have done for me.