Student Profiles
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Maria Pyra
Junior Epidemiology Major
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Qian Li
Biostatistics Major
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Ben Booth
Epidemiology Major
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Natalie Santaularia
Epidemiology Major
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More about Maria Pyra
Major:
Epidemiology
Maria Pyra
Epidemiology | Junior
What factors played a role in your decision to come to UIC SPH?
The biggest factor for me was talking with Dr. Hershow and finding out that I could focus on infectious diseases within the epidemiology program, which is what I was interested in. I looked at the faculty bios and was excited by the projects they were working on. And of course, being in Chicago is a huge bonus!
How would you characterize your student life experience at UIC SPH?
I think you get out what you put in. I’ve enjoyed my courses and found that the faculty is receptive to talking with students. Getting to know and study with other students has been great. And there are lots of great seminars and lectures on West Campus, if you’re interested.
What do you love about learning and living in Chicago?
What’s not to love? Chicago is the best city! Sports, theater, music, food, biking – anything you’re interested in, you can find in Chicago. And we have a great public transport system, so you can get around pretty easily even without a car.
Of the Epi-Bio faculty, who has influenced you most?
My advisor, Dr. Mehta, has been fantastic. I’ve taken a couple of her classes and she’s a great instructor. And as an advisor, she’s been really supportive of any idea I’ve brought to her.
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More about Qian Li
Major:
Biostatistics
Qian Li
Biostatistics |
What factors played a role in your decision to come to UIC SPH?
It is a great school, has distinguished faculty, and great combination of epidemiology & biostatistics.
How would you characterize your student life experience at UIC SPH?
School is always busy and challenging. Research and teaching is also a lot of learning. It’s great being a student at UIC SPH.
What do you love about learning and living in Chicago?
It’s an amazing city, although living can be expensive. There is always exciting things to see: architectures, museums, concerts, etc. I love Chicago!
Of the Epi-Bio faculty, who has influenced you most?
Dr. Hedeker and Dr. Olshansky.
Iman Martin, PhD in Epidemiology
What factors played a role in your decision to come to UIC SPH?
Location, faculty who were leaders in their field, while being very much in touch with the communities they serve.
How would you characterize your student life experience at UIC SPH?
Vibrant.
What do you love about learning and living in Chicago?
Chicago is beautiful aesthetically, and vast. It has all of the problems of the world and all the potential for fixing them… a perfect place to witness the social determinants of health at work. It is the perfect place to witness the synergy between great science and grass-roots understanding of public health. A wonderful cultural scene allows for a very full life in and out of the school walls.
Of the Epi-Bio faculty, who has influenced you most?
Drs. Davis and Furner
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More about Ben Booth
Major:
Epidemiology
Ben Booth
Epidemiology |
What factors played a role in your decision to come to UIC SPH?
UIC has a strong focus in population based epidemiology while providing opportunities to focus on clinically based epidemiology. Many of the schools that I had been considering for my PhD placed more emphasis on clinical and very little on population. Another major factor was the general demeanor of the faculty and staff at UIC. Since day one the UIC SPH has felt much more hospitable than I have encountered elsewhere.
How would you characterize your student life experience at UIC SPH?
Student life in the UIC SPH has been fantastic. The vibe of competition between the students that I felt in undergrad and during my master's degree does not seem to exist here. My interaction with students and faculty has been that of a colleague. There is a general sense that the faculty and other students want you to succeed.
What do you love about learning and living in Chicago?
The diversity of the city has allowed me to experience new foods, cultures, and events. The city has a wide variety of restaurants, museums, sporting events, and music that keep life interesting outside of school. Learning about and performing population based research in such a diverse location has also been a great experience for me. The size of the city and the characteristics make it ideal for this kind of research.
Of the Epi-Bio faculty, who has influenced you most?
My advisor, Dr. Vincent Freeman, has been very influential during my time at UIC. He is very accommodating in the event that I need to discuss topics with him. He is also great at answering my questions and knows who to contact in the event that he doesn’t have the answer. The fact that he received his MPH in the UIC SPH helps him to relate to the students he interacts with.
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More about Natalie Santaularia
Major:
Epidemiology
Natalie Santaularia
Epidemiology |
What factors played a role in your decision to come to UIC SPH?
The primary reason I applied to UIC was because a mentor of mine completed his MPH in Epidemiology several years after he was a practicing physician. Then once I was accepted into the program I had a decision to make between UIC and several other universities. In making my decision to choose UIC, I considered the experience of my mentor and the city of Chicago. Chicago is a wonderful city to learn about public health.
How would you characterize your student life experience at UIC SPH?
The main and most important thing about UIC is the supportive nature of everyone. My peers are always willing to help each other out and support one and another.
What do you love about learning and living in Chicago?
Chicago is a great city. Especially during the summer there is always something going on. I love the variety of people in Chicago. I feel like everyone I meet comes from a different culture or environment.
Of the Epi-Bio faculty, who has influenced you most?
There is a lot of learning potential from the Epi-Bio faculty. There are two faculty members who have impacted me a great deal. The first one being Dr. Supriya Meta, she taught an excellent class that was challenging. The second one being my advisor, Dr. Chyvette Williams, she had always been there for me and listened to me. She helps put things into prospective.
