Major: Neuroscience

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Degree Track: Pre-med

Email address: chudnovm@bc.edu

Mark Chudnovsky is a senior majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Global Public Health and the Common Good (GPHCG). Mark first learned about the GPHCG program as a freshman from his RA and was drawn by the intersection of scientific knowledge and methodology to design public health policy and interventions. Outside of the classroom, Mark is president of the BC Chess Club and participates in the AXON Mentorship Program. Off campus, he works in a lab in the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), and spends weekends playing chess at an adult day care center. This past spring, Mark took a Directed Independent Study under the guidance of Dr. Landrigan, earning credit for his research at DFCI. He also presented at the Hamilton Symposium at the end of the semester on behalf of the GPHCG program. These experiences have supported his aspiration to become a physician-scientist, with a focus on advancing patient-centered care and addressing disparities in access and vulnerability.

Major: Biology; Global Public Health and the Common Good

Email address: moranfm@bc.edu

Mary Moran is a senior from Chicago, IL, majoring in Biology and Global Public Health and the Common Good. Through the GPHCG program, she has gained mentors and peers who have broadened her perspective on complex public health issues, as well as coursework that integrates her interests in biology, ethics, and social justice. She works as an Undergraduate Research Fellow in the Public Health Department with Dr. Brittney van de Water, whose research focuses on health system strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this role, Mary primarily contributes to data capture and entry for a midwifery study in Sierra Leone. On campus, she is involved with the Student Admissions Program as a panelist and participates in First Year Experience programs such as Orientation. After graduation, Mary hopes to pursue a master’s in nursing and ultimately become a nurse practitioner. She aims to balance her love of biology and public health by practicing clinically while also considering the broader social and structural determinants of health, with the goal of advancing health equity.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: Sociology

Degree Track: Pre-med

Email address: morenoem@bc.edu

Emily Moreno is a senior from Houston, Texas, majoring in Global Public Health and the Common Good. On campus, she is involved in BC BIGS, the Compass Mentoring Program, Protect Our Breasts, and she serves as a research assistant for Professor Lindsey Camp on a project studying Triple Feeding. She is also a CDC John R. Lewis Scholar. This summer, Emily participated in the University of Michigan’s Future Public Health Leaders Program, where she was placed at the UMICH School of Nursing for her internship. There, she worked on a community-academic partnership with Detroit Community Health Connection, a federally qualified health center in Detroit, focusing on men’s health and community engagement. She also conducted a community health needs assessment on housing safety in rural areas in collaboration with Michigan Medicine. Her passion for public health was solidified during her gap year, where she worked as a medical assistant in a clinic primarily serving Hispanic and low-income patients. Through courses such as Global Health Delivery and Health Equity: A South African Context and Borderlands & Health Justice: Migration, Environment, and Indigenous Rights, Emily has explored health in both local and global contexts through immersive learning. After graduation, Emily plans to pursue an MPH before attending medical school. Her ultimate goal is to use her education and experiences to promote self-advocacy in underserved communities and address health and social disparities. Her coursework and faculty mentorship in the GPH department have helped her examine the interconnectedness and dualities of public health issues, equipping her with the tools to advocate for vulnerable populations while advancing health equity, social justice, and community action. 

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: English, Medical Humanities

Degree Track: Pre-law

Email address: pansinis@bc.edu

Sofia Pansini is a senior from Westchester, New York, pursuing a major in Global Public Health and the Common Good, with additional minors in Medical Humanities and English. With early interests in both healthcare and science research surrounding diabetes, Sofia applied to the GPH Program as a sophomore, in hopes of building her foundational knowledge of public health on real-world scale. In high school, Sofia's type 1 diabetes diagnosis catapulted her interests in advocacy, research, and building community for those living with type 1 diabetes. At Boston College, Sofia works an undergraduate researcher in the Altindis Lab, conducting microbiology research on the signaling pathways behind the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, in efforts to one day understand its scientific intricacies. Throughout her time in the Public Health major, she has felt that courses such as "Contemporary Issues in Public Health" and "Global Public Health Law" have allowed her to layer many of the complexities surrounding the access to healthcare into her interests in patient care and research in the diabetes space. Additionally, Sofia's studies within the Medical Humanities minor have also helped her give voice to the experience of illness. A crucial perspective, the interconnectedness between the GPHCG and Medical Humanities programs have enriched Sofia's understanding of public health as a field of study. Ultimately, Sofia will be pursuing a career in health law, centered in the diabetes space. On campus, she is thrilled to be leading BC's Eagles for Diabetes (E4D) into its second year as an official club. Co-created alongside Samantha Schmer, E4D is support-style community for students living with, or interested in, diabetes. She also enjoys writing poetry, and all things dog-related. Sofia is grateful to Boston College for bringing the Public Health program to life, as it has allowed her to find numerous connections between healthcare, diabetes, and research, as she continues along her academic career.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: Management and Leadership

Email address: fernantr@bc.edu

Anika Fernandez-Sharma is a senior from Denver, CO, majoring in Global Public Health and minoring in Management and Leadership. Her passion for public health began at age 13 through volunteer work at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she became interested in disease prevention and health promotion, particularly in underprivileged communities.

At Boston College, she serves as Co-President of the Public Health Club, where she helps organize campus-wide public health events, fundraisers, volunteer and internship opportunities, and other educational initiatives. She also worked as a research assistant under Professor Summer Hawkins, contributing to a study on PRAMS  data and cannabis use during pregnancy.

This past summer, Anika interned with Aon as part of the Health and Benefits team, where she gained hands-on experience in the firm’s consultative approach to healthcare strategy. The role deepened her understanding of how business and healthcare intersect to shape outcomes across diverse workforces.

Building on these experiences and the GPHCG curriculum, Anika has further developed a strong interest in health equity, community engagement, and systems-level change. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in healthcare consulting or hospital administration, where she can focus on creating innovative and equitable approaches to healthcare delivery.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good; and Islamic Civilizations and Societies

Degree Track: Pre-law

Email address: geromini@bc.edu

Lucas Geromini is a senior in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences studying Global Public Health and the Common Good and Islamic Civilizations and Societies. On campus, he is a Trip Leader for Outdoor Adventures and works as the Student Sustainability Manager for BC Dining. Lucas was drawn to the GPHCG program because of its interdisciplinary course offerings and commitment to social justice. He is interested in studying the effects of climate change on human health, addressing issues such as food and water scarcity and forced migration. He studied abroad in Amman, Jordan as a David L. Boren Scholar for 8 months, taking courses on refugee health, international migration policy, and humanitarian action. He also volunteered with the Jesuit Refugee Services and conducted independent research as a BC Omar A. Aggad Fellow, where he analyzed how regional conflict affects water scarcity in the Middle East. This past summer, he worked on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Intern for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. Following his graduation from BC, Lucas hopes to attend law school.

Major: Nursing

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Email address: gosselcb@bc.edu

Caroline Gosselin is a senior from Hopedale, Massachusetts, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Global Public Health and the Common Good. She is actively engaged in campus life through the Residence Hall Association, the Student Admission Program, the Wellness Center, and APPA. This summer, she participated in a three-week program in Lausanne, Switzerland, Global Healthcare: Meeting Challenges and Making Connections, where she examined healthcare systems in Switzerland, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This experience strengthened her understanding of the intersections between clinical practice and public health. Caroline intends to pursue a career in pediatric oncology nursing and is committed to advancing health education in underserved communities through nonprofit engagement. Through the Global Public Health and the Common Good program, she has cultivated a broad set of skills and values that will serve as a strong foundation for her future in healthcare.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Degree Track: Pre-med

Email address: hollanav@bc.edu

Ava Holland is a senior from Burlington, CT, majoring in Global Public Health and the Common Good on the pre-med track. On campus, she is involved in several organizations, including the Bioethics Society, Public Health Club, and Relay for Life. For her senior capstone project, Ava plans to explore how prenatal care affects maternal health outcomes– reflecting her passion for maternal and fetal health. Outside of school, Ava works as a research assistant, investigating the prevention and treatment of maternal medical emergencies. She also works as a medical assistant at a fertility clinic, gaining valuable clinical experience. After graduation, she aspires to pursue a career in women’s health, with a focus on reducing maternal mortality through both clinical practice and research. She is committed to addressing maternal health disparities by applying her knowledge of social determinants of health and advocating for health equity. Her coursework in Global Public Health Law has deepened her understanding of how policies shape health systems, and she hopes to influence policy reform as a physician. Her epidemiology course further equipped her with the tools to critically analyze health data and trends—skills she hopes to apply in research to improve maternal outcomes.

Major: Finance

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Degree Track: Pre-med

Email address: jampana@bc.edu

Sriya Jampana is a senior in the Carroll School of Management from Memphis, TN, minoring in Global Public Health and the Common Good. She first became interested in the minor after an eye-opening experience working with communities through the Jesuit Refugee Services in Cambodia and the Schiller Institute. Through the GPHCG minor, she has learned that equitable health delivery is more than just treating a single injury or condition. It is holistic care, looking at the structural factors that have caused the issue at hand and putting into place truly beneficial prevention tactics, especially for vulnerable populations. She has been able to take what she has learned in the classrooms as she works at a non-profit health clinic and does inclusive healthcare research in her hometown. Sriya aspires to pursue a career at the intersection of public health and medicine, becoming a reflective, collaborative, and culturally competent advocate for health equity and access to care. 

Major: Biology, Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: Theology

Email address: jiangns@bc.edu

Mengyun (Margaret) Jiang is a senior from Beijing, China, double majoring in Biology and Global Public Health and the Common Good, with a minor in Theology. She was drawn to the GPHCG program freshman year because it complements her interest in applied microbiology while offering a broader perspective on human experience and social impact. On campus, Margaret was mentored by Professor Sileo on her senior project titled “Applying the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework to Examine Health Worker Bias in HIV Care.” She also works in Professor Momeni’s lab, contributing to a project that uses bacteria to recycle precious metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. Margaret thrives on research and problem-solving and is deeply committed to applying research to real-world challenges. These interdisciplinary experiences have laid a strong foundation for her pursuit of graduate studies in applied microbiology after undergraduate studies. Margaret is passionate about engaging in research that promotes equity and serves the common good. Guided by a deep commitment to meaningful impact, she sees the pursuit of the “common good” as a lifelong mission.

Major: Neuroscience

Minor: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Degree Track: Pre-Physician Assistant

Email address: karnikis@bc.edu

Madeleine Karnikis is a senior in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences from Seattle, Washington. She is majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Global Public Health and the Common Good on the pre-physician assistant (PA) track. On campus, she is involved in the Pre-PA Society, Campus Ministry, Nu Rho Psi, and Partners in Health Engage. She is also involved with Gift of Life Marrow Registry and Project Life Movement as a campus ambassador. This fall, she will serve as a teaching assistant for a GPHCG PULSE elective, Values in Social Services and Health Care. Outside of school, she works as a patient care associate in thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.  She also volunteers at Women’s Lunch Place which has been a formative experience for her because she witnesses firsthand the depth of health inequity, as well the impact of intentional public health efforts. After graduation, she hopes to attend PA school. The GPHCG program has expanded her view of health to include social and structural determinants and she believes that this expanded view of health will greatly benefit her as a PA. Beyond this, the GPHCG program has given her new perspective on the world as a whole and has challenged her to dig deeper, think more critically, grow in compassion, and engage in conversation about injustice, inequity, and health.

Major: Global Public Health and the Common Good

Minor: Biology

Degree Track: Pre-PA

Email address: meyeraw@bc.edu

Mackenzie Meyer is a senior from Nashville, Tennessee, majoring in Global Public Health and the Common Good with a minor in Biology. She was drawn to the program for its interdisciplinary approach and strong commitment to social justice in health. As an aspiring physician assistant, Mackenzie is passionate about expanding healthcare access and integrating public health principles into clinical care. This past summer, she interned abroad at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, where she gained firsthand experience in a high-volume public hospital and observed the direct impacts of climate change on community health. She also works as a clinical medical assistant at a pediatric clinic in Nashville and conducts NIH-supported research focused on the intersection of climate change and health. On campus, Mackenzie serves as President of the Mendel Society, Boston College’s pre-health organization, and is a teaching assistant for Human Anatomy. She is also a blood drive coordinator for the American Red Cross and volunteers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.