Corinne A. Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Carissa Lange

Carissa Lange (PhD, Environmental Health Sciences)

Carissa Lange will soon be entering her third year as a PhD student in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Under the supervision of Dr. Raphael Arku, she conducts research which assesses the impact of air pollutant exposures on adverse birth outcomes in Accra, Ghana. Carissa has served as a Teaching Assistant for the past two semesters, and recently accepted a position to work as a Teaching Associate in the fall. She will be teaching an introductory public health course designed to provide students with an overview of the many challenges faced by communities and public health professionals. Prior to enrolling at UMass Amherst, Carissa obtained a Bachelor of Science in biology and environmental science from Allegheny College, and subsequently, acquired a Master of Science in environmental science and management from Duquesne University. While attending her master’s program, she conducted research examining the influence of COVID-19 lockdowns on air quality in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Both her previous and present research has led to her passion for understanding how environmental policy decisions influence public health, especially in underserved communities. Outside of the classroom, Carissa serves as a volunteer Counselor Advocate for the Center for Women and Community and as a chapter advisor for the Delta Mu chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Massachusetts.

My name is Carissa Lange, and I am a second year PhD student within the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at UMass Amherst. In addition to teaching, I feel enthusiastically about my current dissertation work, which aims to reduce exposures to ambient fine particulate matter in Accra, Ghana, a Sub-Saharan African city that has recently experienced sharp increases in air pollution. Last summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Accra – and aside from the few days where I fell ill – it truly was the experience of a lifetime! I feel so incredibly lucky to pursue my dream of reducing environmental exposures every day.

Aside from my dedication to teaching and research, I am also involved in several organizations and committees on campus. As an active member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board, I help create and plan many of the activities that are hosted by the SPHHS. In addition, I serve as the graduate student representative for the SPHHS Curriculum Committee and as a senator of the Graduate Student Senate. One of the opportunities that I am most thankful for since beginning my journey at UMass has been serving as a Counselor Advocate for the Center for Women and Community. As a volunteer advocate, I provide peer counseling via a 24-hour hotline to individuals who have experienced forms of sexual or relationship violence. Though this job can be daunting at times, it has been an incredibly rewarding experience and has helped me prioritize self-care and self-reflection on a routine basis.

I also hold several volunteer and paid positions that consume much of my free time, but I would not have it any other way! Currently, I serve as the Chapter Advisor for the Delta Mu Chapter and the Recruitment Advisor for the Lambda Nu Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at UMass Amherst and Northeastern University, respectively. These volunteer positions have allowed me to work closely mentoring undergraduate students – something I know will help immensely when I take on the Teaching Associate position in the fall. Additionally, I have a part-time job teaching ballet and pointe to girls aged 12 and older at a dance studio near UMass. I absolutely love sharing my knowledge and passion for this art form with them, though the middle school and high school drama *quite literally* keeps me on my toes (dance pun)!

All these experiences of which I have just shared would not have been made possible had I not begun attending UMass Amherst. This school has given me many opportunities to pursue my dreams of conducting research, getting involved in community service, and teaching and mentoring students. I am so grateful to be a part of the UMass community, and I cannot thank you enough for rewarding me with the Corinne A. Johnson Memorial Scholarship. I hope that you can take pride in my dedication to furthering my education and advancing my communities!

Lindsey Russo

Lindsey Russo (PhD, Environmental Health Sciences)

Lindsey Russo is a doctoral student in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with extensive experience in reproductive epidemiology. She is mentored by Dr. Carrie Nobles and is working on data through the support of Dr. Nobles’ collaborations to explore the relation between ambient air pollution with reproductive health in men and women. Lindsey was a 2020-21 Graduate Grant Writing Scholar with the Center for Research on Families, and plans to pursue a career as a professor in the future.

Thank you for the incredible honor of receiving the Corrine A. Johnson Memorial Scholarship. As a fourth-year doctoral student with a passion to pursue an academic career, this scholarship will be my new catalyst towards success. Financial aid funding can run short towards the end of one’s doctoral program (which is the case for me), and I am beyond touched that a donor would grant me support like this. I am so grateful to the Environmental Health Sciences Department at UMass Amherst and the EHS Scholarship Committee for helping me see my dream through of earning a PhD. I promise to carry Corrine Johnson’s spirit with me in all that I do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Elaine Briggs Internship Fund

In Kyu Park

In Kyu Park (PhD, Environmental Health Sciences)

Inkyu Park is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. He has been working with Dr. Richard Peltier since enrolling in the program in 2021. He has two research interests. One is optimizing the performance of low-cost sensors for ambient air quality monitoring, with the aim of promoting health and preventing diseases in developing nations. Another research interest focuses on 3D printer particle emissions and the effectiveness of masks and respirators in filtering ultrafine particles generated by 3D printers. With this foundational research experience, he will conduct research to protect workers’ health and safety in the workplace. His hobbies are reading books and watching documentary videos. 

During this summer, I am going to collaborate with staff at the Environmental Health and Safety Department at Umass Amherst. I will conduct various projects related to multi-potential chemical exposures and occupational safety. One of the examples is investigating 3D printer particle emissions at the campus.

One of my study goals is to become a public health scientist and researcher to promote workers’ health against chemical exposure in various workplaces. Through this internship experience, I will obtain knowledge about the potential routes of various chemical exposure and will learn how to design and develop appropriate prevention methods and safety management systems for chemical exposure in the working environment.

I am grateful to the Elaine Briggs scholarship donors. With your generous assistance and support, I will strive to learn and grow, working towards the promotion of the environment and health conditions of our neighbors, workers, and communities. Once again, thank you very much again for your internship fund.

Elise Pierce

Elise Pierce 

Elise Pierce is a senior public health major pursuing the 4+1 accelerated M.S. degree in Environmental Health Sciences. She has been working in Dr. Laura Vandenberg’s environmental health lab since sophomore year at UMass, and her research focuses on the effects of environmental exposure to chemicals on hormone sensitive outcomes in mice, specifically in the mouse mammary gland. She is a member of the Commonwealth Honors College and plans to pursue environmental health research in the future.

Thank you so much for honoring me with the Elaine Briggs award. It significantly helped my ability to pursue environmental health research during the summer. In my environmental health lab at UMass, I worked on a project that assessed endpoints of endocrine disruption in mouse mammary glands after exposure to a novel chemical catalyst that was designed to degrade complex pharmaceutical contaminants and pesticides in water. This project was extremely interesting and ended up contributing to my honors thesis, and I appreciate the opportunity to be involved in environmental health research like this thanks to the help of this scholarship. I am very grateful to be the recipient of the Elaine Briggs Internship Fund, and I thank you for your role in helping students pursue their interests and career goals at UMass.

The Stewart Fellowship

Abosede Sarah Alli

Abosede Sarah Alli (PhD, Environmental Health Sciences)

Abosede Sarah Alli hails from Oyo State, Nigeria. She holds a Bachelors in Zoology from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Abosede recently completed her PhD in Public Health at the University of Massachusetts. Her research primarily focuses on investigating exposure disparities and the health effects of air and noise pollution, with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups such as women, children, and informal occupational groups. She concentrates her research efforts in resource-poor settings within sub-Saharan Africa. Her work aims to provide insights into the impacts of environmental exposures on pediatric hypertension and to guide policies to create healthier environments for children.

I am sincerely grateful for the Stewart Fellowship, and I want to express my deepest gratitude for this prestigious award. Being selected as a recipient is an immense honor, and I am incredibly thankful for this exceptional opportunity. The financial support provided through the fellowship will allow me to fully dedicate myself to research, and I am committed to making the most of it.

Hailing from Nigeria, a country grappling with widespread environmental pollution and inadequate regulations, I have been deeply inspired to work towards addressing these pressing issues. My passion for advanced training in exposure and health assessment ultimately led me to the University of Massachusetts, where I am completing my doctorate in Public Health.

During my time at UMass, I have been fortunate to engage in remarkable experiences. I had the opportunity to conduct the largest-ever air pollution monitoring project in Accra, Ghana—a rapidly growing city in sub-Saharan Africa. Collaborating with renowned professors, I shared my findings with key stakeholders and decision makers including government officials, advocacy groups, and local leaders. These experiences have expanded my knowledge and skills and reinforced my commitment to contributing meaningfully to environmental health.
I want to emphasize that none of these accomplishments would have been possible without the vision, generosity, and commitment of donors like yourself, who actively foster excellence in the field of public health. Your support has inspired me to be a catalyst for positive change and will have a lasting impact on my personal development and the communities that I aspire to serve. 

Please accept my heartfelt appreciation for the Stewart Fellowship. I am profoundly grateful for your belief in my potential and for your contribution to my journey. I will carry the spirit of this fellowship with me throughout my career as I strive to make a meaningful difference.