Public Health undergraduate student ambassadors
Meet the ’26-’27 Public Health Buckeye ambassadors who are sharing their passions for public health and Ohio State.
College of Public Health undergraduate student ambassadors proudly represent the student point of view. Every year, students in the Bachelor of Science of Public Health degree are asked to join a team and gain valuable leadership and presentation skills. They share their passions for and experiences in public health, the college and university and what it means to be a Public Health Buckeye with current and future students.
’26-’27 student ambassadors
Colette Beans
4th year Public Health Sociology, 1st year MPH Epidemiology
Career dream: Epidemiologist
On-campus involvement: CPH student ambassador, Buckeye Leadership Fellows, Buckeye Professional Advancement and Development, and Alpha Phi Omega.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: The faculty and staff are incredibly supportive and eager to help students.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Be curious about the subject matter you are learning! You don’t need to be an expert or know exactly what you want to do after college but be open to seeking out learning opportunities that can give you exposure in various areas. Don’t be afraid to email/talk to professors, classmates or professionals in the field, and gain experience in any way that you can.
Sena Mekonnen
3rd year Environmental Public Health, Pre-Med
Career dream: Physician/clinical researcher
On-campus involvement: Morrill Scholarship Program, CPH student ambassador, President of CGWE Africa at The Ohio State University, Secretary of Oromo Students Association, undergraduate organic chemistry teaching Assistant, Wexner Medical Center volunteer and Ethiopian Student Organization.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: I love how the curriculum teaches me to combine research, medicine and community engagement to address health challenges before they become illnesses. It has given me opportunities to work on cancer prevention, environmental health and health equity while collaborating with researchers, clinicians and community organizations to create meaningful impact. The staff through the college is beyond supportive as well.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Take advantage of opportunities early and utilize any resources you can through the college. Rely on your mentors and staff for any help when you can as well.
Habsa Abdulahi
4th year Environmental Public Health, Pre-Med
Career dream: Ophthalmology/ global ophthalmology. I hope to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to serve both individuals and communities through medicine.
On-campus involvement: Board member of Muslim Students in Healthcare, volunteer at Noor Community Clinic, CPH student ambassador and student intern.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: One of the things I enjoy about being a public health student is that it’s a field that is very prevention based it allows me to look at and learn about things from an upstream perspective, like addressing root causes instead of just diagnosing, prescribing medications and sending people back to the same environments that may have contributed to their illnesses in the first place. It aligns with my values and long-term goals and it’s an important thing to learn, especially when living in a country where our healthcare system is very treatment based. Being surrounded by classmates who are genuinely passionate about what they are learning and how they plan to use that knowledge to serve different communities makes the experience even more meaningful.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Immerse yourself in what is being taught in your classes, public health is such a valuable and impactful field with so much to explore also take the time to get to know the people around you, whether it’s your professors, faculty or classmates. There is so much support and so many resources available here at CPH, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions because closed mouths don’t get fed!
Contact: Email
Keerti Gudla
3rd year
Career dream: Healthcare consultant or healthcare administrator
On-campus involvement: The Policy Pill, Buckeyes for Harm Reduction, student assistant at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, teaching assistant for a public health survey class, CPH student ambassador, OSU Dhadkan and Buckeye Laya.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: I love that even at such a large university, the College of Public Health provides a smaller, more personal college experience and feels like a close-knit community.
Best advice for a new CPH student: The College of Public Health offers so many opportunities for learning, leadership and professional growth, but you only get out of it what you put in. Work hard, stay open-minded and remain curious about the opportunities around you.
Contact: Email
Jade Davis
3rd year Environmental Public Health, Pre-med
Career dream: Physician involved in advocacy and preventative care
On-campus involvement: Biological Sciences Scholars, Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP), Prescription Fitness, Buck-I-SERV, CHIMES Junior Honorary, CPH student ambassador, undergraduate research assistant in the College of Public Health and Patient Care Associate in the University Hospital Float Pool.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: I enjoy learning how concepts taught in public health courses can be applied to medicine, health outcomes and everyday life. By understanding the intersectionality of the environment, health policy and health outcomes, I gain a deeper understanding of how to be a better advocate for my future patients.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Don't be scared to ask for help and take advantage of every opportunity. If you are remotely interested in something, send a cold email and reach out to older students, advisors and professors. If you continue putting yourself out there, opportunities will find you.
Contact: Email
Asya Parmer
3rd year
Career dream: Administrative role within the field of maternal and child health/wellbeing. I want to help reduce health disparities and improve access to care for underrepresented groups.
On-campus involvement: Honors student, Spring Forward, CPH student ambassador and Public Health Student Leadership Council.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: I enjoy how each course is different and can ultimately be the reason for a desired career field that you may not have expected. The field of public health has a ton of different careers and research opportunities, and The Ohio State College of Public Health makes it easy and enjoyable to gain knowledge within different sectors of public health.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Try to experience as many different fields within public health as you can, because careers and opportunities are endless. You can also talk to your professors and advisors about different opportunities as well.
Contact: Email
Mariam Bawa
3rd year
Career dream: Dermatologist or pediatrician
On-campus involvement: Delta Omega Kappa pre-health sorority, Morrill Scholars Program, College Mentors for Kids and CPH student ambassador.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: I am very interested in disparities in healthcare, and public health provides such a unique perspective into that. Becoming a good doctor to me is not just about doing well in your science classes or getting a high MCAT score, but truly understanding your patients. Public health allows me to understand how causes, symptoms, treatments and outcomes of certain diseases can be completely different depending on gender, socioeconomic status, environment and many other determinants of health.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Really take advantage of the fact that we are such a small college. All our teachers, advisors and staff are amazing at their jobs and very eager to help you succeed. Most importantly, don’t wait for an opportunity to present itself to you. If you are interested in something, take initiative and create an opportunity for yourself.
Contact: Email
Brett Bardallis
3rd year Environmental Public Health
Career dream: Interventional cardiologist
On-campus involvement: Nursing assistant at the Wexner Medical Center, undergraduate student researcher in physiology and cell biology department, student volunteer at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, vice president of Pass The Class tutoring organization, CPH student ambassador, Ohio State Welcome Leader coordinator and volunteer phlebotomist with Buckeye Blood club.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: I enjoy learning from a balance of in-depth science classes and practical public health classes that are both applicable to health in day to day life as well as to health research. This combination of a balanced curriculum that is taught by an outstanding tight-nit community of faculty in the college is what I enjoy about being a public health student.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Do not be afraid to meet people within the department, they will more than likely be a great connection for whatever it is you want to do inside and outside the department.
Contact: LinkedIn
Haley Miller
4th year
Career dream: Public health lawyer
On-campus involvement: CPH student ambassador, founder and president of Buckeyes for Domestic Violence Prevention club, Ohio Policy Evaluation Network communications intern and RPAC coordinator.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: I love how friendly all the faculty and staff are in CPH. They are so eager to help you succeed and make you feel like you are part of the public health community.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Introduce yourself to your professors, they are so kind and welcoming! Don't be afraid to talk in class, and try to make friends with your peers in your classes.
Contact: Email
Yobel Petros
3rd year Public Health Sociology
Career dream: Physician involved in health advocacy and policy.
On-campus involvement: CPH student ambassador, Morrill Scholar, Health Science Scholar, chemistry tutor, Minority Collegiate Outreach and Support Team, Community Refugee and Immigration Services at Ohio State, Eritrean Student Association.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: Studying public health allows me to view health through a more holistic lens. Instead of focusing only on individual cases or treating illnesses without addressing underlying determinants, it encourages us to focus on the 'why' behind illnesses across entire populations by identifying root causes and health trends.
Specifically at the College of Public Health, I appreciate how approachable and friendly the faculty and professors are, as well as the abundance of fulfilling opportunities that put you in a position to create real change.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Utilize and make connections with upperclassmen and faculty in your major. It will ease your transition into college, open doors to opportunities, and provide insights that can shape your college experience for the better.
Contact: Email
Abhinav Dendukuri
3rd year Environmental Public Health
Career dream: I would love to become a physician and make an impact in the communities that have helped so much throughout my life.
On-campus involvement: Public Health Student Leadership Council, Buckeye Shadowing Club, intramural sports, volunteering, CPH student ambassador.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: The amazing culture and academic opportunities. Ohio State is a massive school and it’s easy to feel lost. With the College of Public Health’s smaller class sizes, I was able to get to know so many of my classmates and faculty during my first year.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Really take the time to get to know your professors and advisors. Everyone is so friendly and willing to help, which will significantly help ease the tension as an incoming student and may help with academic performance as you continue to progress within the major.
Ashanti Harris
3rd year Public Health Sociology
Career dream: Pediatric physician
On-campus involvement: CPH student ambassador, Buckeye Leadership Fellows, Buckeye Professional Advancement and Development, president of Sunny Side Up, Morrill Scholarship Program, College Mentors For Kids (CMFK), presidential host and Phi Delta Epsilon.
What I enjoy about being a public health student: Coming from a small school and being an out-of-state student, the College of Public Health quickly became my family and helped me make this big school smaller. My survey class gave me friends for a lifetime.
Best advice for a new CPH student: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be your biggest advocate!