Public Health Sciences Major Danish Humayun Named 21st Century Leader
He is one of 11 graduating seniors to be honored for exemplary achievements, initiative, and leadership
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The University of Massachusetts Amherst will honor Public Health Sciences major Danish Humayun as a 21st Century Leader during Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 15, at 5 p.m. in McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The university honors a group of its most talented and accomplished graduating seniors each year for their exemplary achievements, initiative, and leadership.
This year’s 11 recipients of the 21st Century Leaders Award were chosen in recognition of their strong academic records and exemplary achievements. They also further distinguished themselves through intellectual accomplishments and will be recognized for the prestige and honor they bring to UMass Amherst, both as undergraduates and as alumni joining the larger community. Each recipient will also receive an award of $1,000 from the UMass Amherst Alumni Association.
Humayun, of Belchertown, is a CHC student graduating with dual degrees in economics and public health sciences and a minor in biology.
While at UMass Amherst, Humayun has contributed to research on the efficacy of edible clay in mitigating the toxic effects of forever chemicals, and he helped evaluate programs that provide access to treatment for opioid and other substance use disorders in jails and courts in Massachusetts. For his achievements in health promotion and policy, Humayun received a 2024-25 Gerald F. Scanlon Student Employee of the Year Award.
Humayun’s care and concern for others extends to his extracurricular activities. He is a medical assistant with University Health Services, where he provides direct patient care. It is through this work that he became more aware of the health challenges college students face, which fueled his passion for health equity. He also experienced firsthand the interconnectedness of public health issues and everyday life in his role as a resident assistant.
As president of the Pakistani Students Organization, he organized Chaand Raat, a large-scale Ramadan celebration and community-building event co-hosted with the Muslim Students Association in 2025.
Humayun has secured a postgraduate internship at biotechnology company Xilio Therapeutics, and he will continue his education with a Master of Public Health in epidemiology through the UMass 4+1 accelerated master’s degree program.
Read more about all of the 2026 21st Century Leader Award recipients here.