Corinne A. Johnson Memorial Scholarship
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 (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.