David Hosmer Outstanding First-Year Student Awards

Shane Fitzgerald

Shane Fitzgerald (MS, Biostatistics)

Shane Fitzgerald is a graduate student in the biostatistics master’s program from Wilbraham, Massachusetts who recently completed his first year. Coming from a background in applied science, he has enjoyed the challenge of learning a more mathematical approach to public health. In the future, he hopes to use his skills as a biostatistician to aid the public in protecting and improving their health. In his spare time, he enjoys running, hiking, and snowboarding. 

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for being chosen to receive this award. It is truly an honor to be recognized for my accomplishments during my first year at UMass Amherst. My experience so far has been fulfilling. I have learned new skills that will aid me greatly as I pursue a career as a biostatistician. Receiving this scholarship motivates me to continue to work hard as I move closer to my goals. Thank you very much for your generosity and support. 

Rebekah Kristal

Rebekah Kristal (MS, Biostatistics)

Rebekah Kristal is a first-year MS student in biostatistics in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences. She earned her undergraduate degree in applied math and history from Brandeis University in Waltham. These studies gave her the analytical and social training to pursue quantitative research in public health. Years of personal experience with disability and chronic illness motivated her to explore health equity to support marginalized communities, and her research interests have formed around this goal. In her free time, she enjoys learning her family recipes and hiking around Amherst with friends. She hopes to pursue a PhD in biostatistics at UMass, and eventually become a professor. 

Thank you so much for your generous gift for the David Hosmer Scholarship. I am humbled and grateful to receive this award. This award will be helpful in covering expenses in graduate school and will allow me to focus on my studies and the opportunities available to me. It is an incredible gift, and I am so thankful for your generosity in making it possible. 

Kate Kyeremateng

Kate Kyeremateng (MS, Epidemiology)

Kate Kyeremateng is a graduate student in the epidemiology program. Trained as a nurse in Ghana, Kate has been interested in opportunities to promote health through science and research. Upon completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing, she volunteered at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Ghana and assisted in a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of a vaccine for Lassa Fever disease in Africa. This experience sparked her interest in epidemiology. Later, while serving as a nurse in rural Ghana as part of her mandatory national service, she recognized how the physical and social environment interact to shape the health of local communities. This realization inspired her to pursue research roles on an environmental health project led by Professor Raphael Arku in Accra, Ghana. The project was focused on examining the impacts of air and noise pollution on local communities and vulnerable populations. Kate then led the field team in the ongoing Accra birth cohort study designed to examine the impact of air pollution on maternal and child health in the city. At UMass Amherst, Kate continues to pursue her interest and seeks to leverage her training in epidemiology and environmental epidemiology to contribute to equitable health and policy initiatives with a focus on women and children in sub-Saharan Africa. Outside of school, Kate enjoys listening to podcasts and engaging in philosophical conversations with her friends.  

I am honored to receive this meritorious award, which recognizes and financially supports the academic achievements of students. With a growing disease burden in under-resourced countries like my country, Ghana, expertise in epidemiology is needed now more than ever. I will continue to persevere in the pursuit of my goals. I am deeply grateful to the donors for this prestigious award and hope to make it count. 

Jenna Marando

Jenna Marando (4+1, Epidemiology)

Jenna Marando just completed her undergraduate degree in public health sciences, as well as the first year of her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at UMass through the 4+1 program. She found a passion for epidemiology after taking PUBHLTH 224 with Dr. Cassandra Spracklen and has continued to find new, interesting areas of the field. She has a particular interest in how data can be used for informed decision-making to improve the health and well-being of communities. Jenna is looking forward to her internship this summer with the Rhode Island Public Health Institute and after graduation next spring, she hopes to work for a local public health organization to work closely with different communities to make a positive impact. 

 Thank you for making it possible for me to receive the David Hosmer Outstanding First-Year Student Award. This scholarship helps make it possible for me to continue to make the most out of my time at UMass in The School of Public Health and Health Sciences. Thank you again for your generous award and I am honored to have my efforts throughout my first year of graduate school recognized. 

Rachel Taylor

Rachel Taylor (MPH, Epidemiology)

Rachel Taylor is a first-year graduate student pursuing her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at UMass Amherst. Rachel graduated from UMass in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Anthropology. She then worked for two years as a research fellow on the UMass New Moms Wellness Study, a randomized clinical trial investigating the effects of a high fruit and vegetable postpartum diet on breast cancer risk in lactating mothers. This research experience piqued her interest in the roles that dietary and lifestyle factors can play in modifying disease risk. She hopes to use her MPH training to further contribute to epidemiologic research in women's and children’s health. Over the summer, she will complete her practicum with the Holyoke Board of Health through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Local Health Internship Program. In her free time, Rachel loves to hike around the Pioneer Valley, read, and spend time with friends and family. 

It is an honor to have been chosen for David Hosmer Outstanding First-Year Masters Student Award. It allows me to focus my attention on coursework and less on the monetary burden of living and studying in Amherst. This award gives me profound reassurance and encouragement that my efforts are worthwhile and that I am on the right path.

Rian You

Rian You (MS, Biostatistics)

Rian You is a master's student in biostatistics at UMass Amherst. Concurrently working as a data analyst at Baystate Health, she is passionate about transforming data into actionable insights to promote healthcare development. She aims to leverage her data science expertise to improve the quality of care and healthcare accessibility in the community. In her leisure time, Rian enjoys swimming, culinary exploration, and embarking on road trips. 

I am deeply honored to have been selected as a recipient of the David Hosmer Outstanding First-Year Student Award. Thank you for your generous support and for your confidence in my potential. This award not only recognizes my hard work as a first-year student but also motivates me to contribute meaningfully to the field of public health.  I am committed to upholding the standards of excellence associated with this award and strive to make meaningful contributions to the field.

Departmental Second-Year Student Awards

Godness Biney

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

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

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.

Diane J. Mundt Memorial Scholarship

Sabiha Nasrin

Sabiha Nasrin (PhD, Epidemiology)

Sabiha Nasrin is a medical graduate with a master’s degree in public health with a strong interest in improving health by preventing diseases. Following this passion, I have engaged in several research projects at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh for the past 10 years. During Sabiha's clinical fellowship, she was directly involved with the management of Cholera outbreaks and epidemiology. Since 2014 Sabiha has been working in collaboration with Brown University.

Please accept my deepest thanks for making it possible for me to receive this generous award. My journey to pursuing a scientific career has always been challenging. I have faced significant obstacles, including limited access to quality education, cultural norms discouraging female participation in STEM fields, and a lack of supportive infrastructure. As a widow raising my son alone for the past seven years, I have also faced financial constraints, familial responsibilities, and a lack of mental health support, which further hindered my ability to focus on my scientific aspirations. Despite these challenges, I continued to strive for success in science, a feat that would not have been possible without the support of people like you.