Hello! My name is Emily, I am a current USF graduate student and soon‑to‑be triple Bull. I have six years on campus: I earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Class of 2024, summa cum laude with two minors, and I’m now a fully funded Master of Public Health candidate (Class of 2026) and Master of Arts in Applied Anthropology candidate (Class of 2027). My work, both personal and professional, revolves around people— I love meeting new faces and helping them feel at home. I’m approachable and well connected across departments and student groups, know the Tampa campus like the back of my hand, and have been deeply involved off campus through volunteering, research, and local internships, including an award for community service. I specialize in public health and anthropology, have practical familiarity with civil and environmental engineering collaborations. I would be happy to work with you to design an individualized tour or have a conversation that is informative, relaxed, and tailored to each visitor’s interests!

Hometown

Originally from the little state of Rhode Island!

Major(s)

Public Health, Anthropology

Minor(s)

Women & Gender Studies, Global Studies in Education, Civil & Environmental Engineering

Clubs, organizations & involvement

During my time at USF I have has the privilege of becoming a scholarship recipient and active member of the USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy (HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!). Since my undergrad I've been a part of countless clubs and organizations at USF, from the Botanical Gardens club to Friends of America (for international student connections). I have also served on multiple executive boards, most notably as President of the Maternal and Child Health Student Organization (MCHSO) and Vice President of the Global Health Student Association (GHSA). I also was a Health Scholar and the next year's Health Scholar Student director, a structured student leader development program offered to undergraduates in the College of Public Health. Additionally, I am a funded research affiliate with numerous labs across multiple departments on campus, including the Center of Excellence in Maternal & Child Health and the Center for Brownfield Research & Redevelopment.

Describe your college experience

I moved across the country at 17 to start at USF in the middle of the pandemic, and those first years forced me to adapt fast and find my footing. Over six years on campus I’ve grown from an undergraduate student into a fully funded graduate student. Along the way I leaned into people‑centered work: campus research, an NSF‑funded field project in Madagascar, volunteer and internship work in the University Area, leadership in student organizations, and serving as a graduate peer mentor. Those experiences gave me confidence, purpose, and a practical sense of how to help others navigate USF successfully.

Tip for future students

Put yourself out there!! Go to events, join clubs you’re curious about, and volunteer in places that interest you— USF is huge and has niches for every kind of student. It can feel overwhelming at first, but showing up in the most random places leads to friendships, mentorships, and opportunities you won’t find by staying on the sidelines. I’m happy to help you navigate the campus and find the groups and resources that fit your goals.

Favorite class

My favorite and most random class from my time at USF so far has been Women and Food, an elective I took for my Women & Gender studies minor. The course sits at the crossroads of health, culture, and everyday life, using anthropology, sociology, and humanities approaches to explore how food shapes (and is shaped by) women’s bodies, labor, and social roles. We examined topics from nutrition and reproductive health to the cultural history of women in food systems, domestic and professional labor, and food‑based activism through readings, case studies, and ethnographic work. I loved it because it made connections across disciplines I care about and gave me concrete ways to think about power, identity, and resilience in everyday practices. The class changed how I see food— not just as sustenance, but as a lens for understanding community and lived experience.

Career goals

Upon graduation I plan to pursue community‑engaged research in public health and applied anthropology that translates directly into practice and policy through implementation science. I’m preparing a Fulbright application to conduct comparative research in Germany and aim to build a career turning evidence into real‑world policies and programs.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Either spending the evening outside in downtown enjoying the sunset and a bite to eat, or staying in with my roommate and watching a crime documentary together.

High school or secondary school

The Prout School, Wakefield RI