President: Ramon Sanchez

1
President Ramon Sanchez
My name is Ramon Sanchez, Im Student Government
President for this academic year and I would like
to welcome all of you to the Harvard School of
Public Health. Im a doctoral student in the
Environmental Health Department and Im starting
my fourth year here. So, I have spent some time
at HSPH, a place full of classrooms, equipment
and laboratories. However, such facilities could
be found somewhere else, so in my years here I
learned that what really makes your Harvard
experience unique is the excellent people you
will find here. Somehow among the chaos of
running around to get to class, doing lab work
and term papers you will find some people that
will share your dreams, exams, parties, classes,
trips, seminars, panels, dances, etc. These
experiences will create bonds and friendships
that will last for a lifetime, and as Student
Government our goal is to enrich your life as
much as we can by acting on your behalf in
matters concerning your education and welfare.
For that reason, we interact with the
Administration, Faculty and other groups in the
HSPH community to organize social activities,
academic conferences and community outreach
programs so you enjoy your time here at its
fullest. We are also your advocates, so if you
need help or see some areas of opportunity,
please contact your Student Government. We are
here to serve you!!!
2
Vice-President Julia Roos
My name is Julia Roos. Im a second-year MS2 in
Environmental Health and Im running for Vice
President of Student Government. My passion is
living an active life, and my goal as Vice
President is to provide many options for my
fellow students to be active. I think the best
thing about being at HSPH is the incredible crowd
of people that surrounds us the people Ive met
have shaped my time and experiences here
immensely. As VP I want to make sure there are a
variety of ways for the student body to interact,
from athletics to social gatherings, from student
groups to community service. We are a passionate
group, and that passion lends itself seamlessly
to incredible conversations and amazing
experiences together. I was the athletic
coordinator last year, and I learned quite a bit
about the way things work and what it takes to
make events happen. The biggest lesson I learned
last year is that my fellow students have amazing
ideas and the best thing I could do was help
those ideas become a reality. By serving as Vice
President I can ensure that those ideas come to
fruition by establishing solid communication and
coordination between and among with the various
student government committees and the student
body.
3
Treasurer Lauren Madden
Hi, I am Lauren Madden, a 2nd year Masters
Student in Environmental Health at HSPH.  I ran
for treasurer of student government in order to
ensure HSPH maintains its stability and continues
its success in various fundraising, social, and
community service activities throughout this
year.  Being a part of student government in the
2008-2009 school year I understood the importance
of the treasurer in making events such as winter
ball and international night happen and I plan to
execute all of these event again in the 2009-2010
school year.  Additionally, I plan to be more
than just the HSPH treasurer this school year. 
It is my goal to continue my involvement in all
student government activities by volunteering my
time at events and coordinating outreach and
volunteer activities for all HSPH students to
take part in.  I look forward to working with
everyone this year.  If you have any questions
please do not hesitate to contact me at
lmadden_at_hsph.harvard.edu
4
Secretary Guddi Singh
Hello, my name is Guddi Singh. I am a junior
doctor in Paediatrics from the UK now on the MPH
program for Global Health. My aim is to combine
public health work alongside my clinical
practice, and I am excited to learn ways I can do
this here at Harvard. My positions as Managing
Director of my own business at high school and
President of the University of Cambridge branch
of MEDSIN (Medical Students International
Network) have prepared me for leadership
opportunities and the dynamics of working in
committees. I hope to take the skills in
diplomacy, organization and relationship building
from my past experiences and combine them with
the sense of fun and camaraderie I have already
found in HSPH. I am looking forward to
representing my fellow students and am determined
that our voice should be heard.
5
Athletic Committee Chair Matthieu Trudeau
Do you want to get involved in intramural sports
or want to get a gym membership? Do you want to
get good deals on tickets for professional sports
in Boston and for Harvard sporting events? Did
you even know that our sports teams are called
the Crimson and that most of our teams are really
good? As your Athletic Committee Chair here at
HSPH, I will be working for you to get you the
information you need, get you the ticket
discounts you need, help recruit fans of our
Crimson teams across HSPH, and I also want to
plan a hiking or ski trip for us as well. By the
way, my name is Matt and Im passionate about
sports and the outdoors. Im also a doctoral
student in the department of Environmental
Health. Im originally from Montréal, Canada. For
the last two years, Ive been working as a
research assistant engineer in the ergonomics lab
here at HSPH. Thanks for your support!
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International Committee Chair Syed Nabeel Zafar
I am Nabeel, an MPH student concentrating in
quantitative methods. I am from Pakistan and
recently completed my medical degree from the Aga
Khan University in Karachi. I wish to become a
surgeon and work on public health and surgery. I
am standing for chair of the international
committee and promise to do a super job at it. I
have a multitude of experience in organizing
events and voicing issues. Be it settling in be
it travel abroad, be it sports music or drama, be
it networking, be it visa issues, be it career
issues, be it cultural issues, be it academic
issues, be it issues of love. I will make sure
that everyones opinions, complaints and
suggestions are heard and problems are solved. I
hope to arrange speakers of great international
stature to enrich our experience here at the
HSPH. And I will definitely make sure that the
International night is more fun than ever - a
night that everyone will remember. A year HSPH
will not forget. I was born in Pakistan, spent
the first 7 years of my life in Northern Ireland
before shifting back to Pakistan and have been
to Norway, England, France, Egypt, Saudia Arab,
Bangladesh and the USA before. (If your country
isnt on the list, it will be soon ? - I love
travelling) I will do my best to serve you well.
7
Social Committee Chair Xin Lian
Hi all! This is Xin Lian, a first year SM2
student in Department of Global Health and
Population. I just got a medical degree in China
this summer with a concentration in Acupuncture!
Aha, interesting? In my undergraduate study, I
was an active part for various student
organizations, student government in schools and
school-wide broadcasting station. I really
enjoyed my past experiences and they brought so
much joy into my undergrad life. I just settle
into my brand new life here in HSPH and I love
it! I would love to be part of the Student
Government in HSPH and devote myself into it so
that we can make our life in HSPH to be a nice
part of memory years later when we are all alumni
then. It is my honor to be part of it and because
of this my heart plays music again!
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Communications Committee Chair
?
Nomination period will remain open until this
position is fulfilled (for more details please
contact Ramon Sanchez at rsanchez_at_hsph.harvard.edu
)
9
Student Voice Committee Chair Casey Holmes
Innovation. Dedication. Results. My name is
Casey Holmes and I want to be your next Student
Voice Committee Chair. The greatest challenge to
this position will be maintaining a well-rounded
perspective on the full spectrum of student
concerns. As a journalist and professional
researcher, I have conducted over 300 interviews
enabling me with the experience to objectively
gather and analysis information. In office my
main priority will be to actively and regularly
approach students and departmental
representatives to discuss their reactions and
concerns to HSPH policy. I will then do my best
to resolve these issues with the administration.
Further priorities in office will be to Plan
social events (specifically more alumni
mixers). Foster more academic lectures on hot
public health topics. Plan seminars on
professional development skills. Potential topics
include salary negotiation, management skills,
and climbing the corporate ladder. Thank you for
your participation and please vote for me as your
next Student Voice Committee Chair.
10
Community Service Committee Chair Jaime
Madrigano
Hi, My name is Jaime Madrigano. I am a fourth
year doctoral student in the Departments of
Epidemiology and Environmental Health. Like
myself, I am sure many of you came to HSPH with a
history of community involvement and desire to
continue to serve your community. However, many
of us often find that coursework consumes much of
our time, and consequently, do not do as much
community service as we would like. Recognizing
this, I would like to make community service a
more integrated part of our experience at HSPH.
I hope to incorporate community involvement into
our lives by partnering with Student Affairs and
the wider study body. Some specific ideas I have
are to Create a student collaborative of
individuals seeking to participate in community
service in either an ongoing or periodic way
Establish an ongoing relationship with 1 or 2
community partners whom rotating groups of HSPH
students can work with on a regular (e.g.
monthly) basis Benchmark with other Harvard
University graduate school service groups to
figure out the best way to integrate service into
the lives of busy students and collaborate with
other schools on at least one activity Make
students aware of one-time community service
opportunities Invite community leaders to HSPH
to give students a broader perspective of the
problems and concerns in the surrounding
community I have a history of leadership in the
community service area. As a part-time Masters
student at the University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey School of Public Health,
I founded and led the student community service
group, V.O.I.C.E.S. (http//sphprojects.umdnj.edu/
voices/). In Boston, I have volunteered with The
Food Project and The Science Club for Girls. I
look forward to hearing your ideas and working
with you to make service an integral part of the
HSPH experience.
11
MPH Program Representative Justin Mills
Hello, my name is Justin Mills. I am a MPH
student in Health Policy and Management. I hail
from the great state of Kansas were I just
finished my pediatric residency. I am running for
MPH Program Representative. While I am very new
to Boston and Harvard, I have extensive
experience in student governance. As an
undergraduate I was very involved in Student
Senate at the University of Kansas and was also
active in my med school and residency councils.
I am ready to listen to any suggestions you may
have and am not afraid to voice your concerns.
12
MPH Program Representative Brandon Ito
My name is Brandon Ito and I'm running for the
MPH Program Representative position for the
2009-2010 school year. I'm currently a 4th year
medical student at the University of California,
Irvine and a part of the Family and Community
Health MPH concentration. I'm interested in both
community and international health, and plan to
apply to residency in either child psychiatry or
pediatrics upon graduation. As MPH Program
Representative, I hope to coordinate more social
and academic events for students to both get to
know one another, but more importantly, increase
the sense of community within the HSPH. For many
of us, this is the best opportunity to meet so
many people from across the country and across
the world. With that in mind, I hope to also be
involved with other committees in planning and
promoting larger campus-wide events to make this
year memorable for all of us. I also hope to
create a network list in order for current MPH
students to remain in contact as each of us move
on to our future careers. By doing so, I hope to
build upon the friendships we've already made
thus far. Thank you for your consideration and I
hope to be serving you in the near future!
13
Masters Program (MS1/MS2) Representative Jocelyn
Hospital
Hi, my name is Jocelyn Hospital and I am a first
year MS2 student in the Environmental Health
department. am orginally from Virginia, but have
spent the last 3 1/2 years in Peru. As the
Masters Student Representative I look forward to
being a spokesperson for the needs of Masters
students and fostering collaboration among all
members of the HSPH community. I look forward to
a great year. If you have any questions or
comments feel free to contact me at
jhospita_at_hsph.harvard.edu
14
Doctoral Program (ScD, PhD, DPH) Rep Guy Harling
Hi, Im Guy and Im a second year doctoral
student in Society, Human Development and Health.
During my first year I was an avid consumer of
student government activities (and food/drink)
and now Id like to start giving something back.
As those of you who know me are doubtless aware,
I am not shy in speaking my mind and am more than
happy to talk with anyone who is willing to
listen. As your doctoral program representative,
I would put these skills to work on your
behalf. Over the past year I have noticed two
shortcomings, which I believe are within the
power of a doctoral representative to improve -
A limited student voice in departmental
decision-making, coupled with an ad-hoc and
sluggish approach to the communication of
important departmental decisions to the student
body - A lack of feedback from student
government to the student body about discussions
and developments relating to academic (as opposed
to social) activities that the government is
involved in. As a result, I am standing for
doctoral representative in order to improve the
communications channels between you as a student,
and both faculty and HSPH student government. As
your representative, I would - Actively solicit
and work to communicate your views on both
strengths and weaknesses of the existing
departmental and school-wide structures Work
with other student representatives to increase
student participation in decision-making -
Endeavour to create a formal communication
channel from the departmental faculty and
administration to students for academically-import
ant decisions - Provide feedback to you, the
student body, at the end of each semester,
outlining what academic procedures HSPH student
government has been trying to change within the
school and across the university, and whether
they were successful. In summary, I would very
much appreciate the opportunity to act as your
doctoral representative. Thank you.
15
Health Policy and Management Representative
Matthew Field
Hi, I am Matt, and I am in my first year of a
two-year Masters in Health Policy Management.
I am from Ann Arbor, MI and went to college at
the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
For the last two years I have been doing basic
and clinical research in the Department of
Ophthalmology at the University of Michigan. I
also co-founded a biotech company with two
professors from the University of Michigan to
commercialize an instrument that non-invasively
detects retinal disease 10-15 years earlier than
current clinical non-invasive techniques. I love
playing tennis and soccer and escape into these
leisure activities in my spare time. I am
interested in being your Health Policy
Management Department Representative. I have
already listened to many students in my
department and have identified several needs of
my fellow students and offerings that they would
like added to the HSPH and Harvard community.
With my business and scientific research
experience, I also believe that I am positioned
to be an excellent liaison between our school and
other graduate schools at Harvard. I am a big
proponent of interdisciplinary interactions and
collaborations and would very much like to
increase the collaborations between schools at
Harvard. I believe this could manifest itself in
the form of conferences, forums, social events,
social entrepreneurship, and research projects,
among other things. I also have many ideas on
how to further develop our current school and
improve on its already excellent offerings and
reputation. I am looking forward to discussing my
interest in HPM issues thank you for the
opportunity to apply. You can reach me by e-mail
at mfield_at_hsph.harvard.edu
16
Biostatistics Representative Rajarshi Mukherjee
Hi, I am Rajarshi Mukherjee and I would like to
represent the Department of Biostatistics in the
HSPH school student government body. Being
doctoral student in the department I feel that it
is important for me to help the government deal
with our issues and integrate our department to
different school activities. Moreover, I would
like to harness my share to experience as an
international student to address to international
student community issues entailing
placements(including on campus jobs),funding and
even providing guidance or help during the
admission and application procedure. Finally, I
believe that our quotidian and busy life deserves
its share of fun and hence as a representative I
will try my best to ensure a proper amalgam of
fun and social activities. Hope we all have a
wonderful year ahead and make the best of our
time here. ThanksRajarshi Mukherjee
17
Environmental Health Representative Tawan
Udtamadilok
My name is Tawan Udtamadilok (Ty). I am in my
second year as a Masters student, and I want to
become more involved by acting as a liaison
between Environmental Health students and
faculty, as well as between EH and the entire
HSPH community. In my undergraduate career, I
worked to establish academic and social
initiatives for my department and developed
forums for exploring opportunities in industry
and academia. I would like to do the same for
the EH department, and as your representative I
will be responsive to any ideas or concerns that
are of special interest to EH students. Please
vote for me and let me be your voice in HSPH!
18
Epidemiology Representative Yin Cao
Hi, I am Yin, and I am a first year doctoral
student in the department of Epidemiology
concentrated on cancer Epi. I am originally from
China, got my undergrad there in biological
science and economics. Two years ago, I came to
the US and got my MPH in Epidemiology from
Columbia University. I am interested in being the
student representative of Epidemiology
Department. Although school has only started for
one month, I loved it! However, I feel the strong
need to have more opportunities to mix and mingle
with fellow students within EPI and among all the
other departments, socially and academically, as
well as the need to have more interactions with
faculties about everything in EPI. Let me be
your representative, I would have your voice in
HSPH!
19
Global Health Population Representative
Michael Hadley
My name is Michael Hadley. I am a first year
student in the Department of Global Health
Population. I graduated in 2007 from Brown
University with degrees in Biology and
Philosophy. Since then, I've traveled around the
developing world working on community-based
health care projects. Most recently, I performed
front line health care delivery and studied
infectious disease epidemiology in marginalized
indigenous communities in the Amazon jungle. I
hope one day to lead a global health organization
that brings health equity to indigenous
communities throughout Latin America. I would
like to be your Global Health Population
representative. As an acting co-chair of
Harvard's new university-wide global health
student group, I am well connected with global
health students and faculty throughout HSPH and
the broader Harvard community. I intend to listen
to these individuals and voice their concerns and
suggestions at student government meetings.
Additionally, I hope to foster both HSPH-based
and university-wide collaboration on GHP events,
such as symposia, speaker series, and career
fairs. I was a student government representative
in college, and am confident that I can
facilitate communication between GHP students,
faculty, and student government. I look forward
to working with you on global health issues.
Please feel free to email me at
mhadley_at_hsph.harvard.edu
20
Nutrition Department Representative Julia
Finkelstein
Hello, Im Julia and I am a third year doctoral
student in the Departments of Nutrition and
Epidemiology. I would love to have an
opportunity to represent our department again
this year in HSPH student government. I look
forward to being involved in social activities
and fundraising with other departments, and
encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across
the school. Thanks so much! )
21
IDD and GCD Department Representative Karrell
Pelle
Hi! My name is Karell Pellé. I am a doctoral
student in the Biological Sciences in Public
Health program and starting my 3rd year. I would
like to represent the students of Immunology and
Infectious Diseases (IID) and Genetic and Complex
Diseases (GCD) departments on Student Government.
As an active member on Student Government, I
will serve as the link between the student body
and the IID/GCD departments voice the ideas and
concerns of my peers and contribute to the
planning of Student Government events that will
allow for interdepartmental interaction and the
overall enrichment of our schools culture. Best
of luck with this school year!
22
Society Human Development and Health
Representative Sara Olson
My name is Sara Olson and Im in the second year
of the MS2 program. Originally from upstate NY,
my background is in human nutrition/dietetics. .
I am also a co-chair for the Student Advisory
Committee, bringing practice and community
service opportunities to the whole student body.
When Im not on campus you can probably find me
doing patient counseling at the Dana Farber
Cancer Center _at_ Faulkner Hospital. Or JP Pond-
pretending Im a runner. Or baking something
delicious, if not exactly healthy. Despite that,
Im actually really interested in health
promotion and wellness in schools and worksites,
which includes HSPH! Id love to be involved in
student government to help keep students
healthier and happier! I think past efforts like
the Stair Challenge, switching to reusable water
bottles, and featuring local produce in the
cafeteria are great first steps, but there is so
much more potential for change. I'd like to see
changes made to foods served at meetings and
events (not pizza at EVERY event, please!),
better use of the SHDH departmental kitchen area,
and information/resources made available to
students in the new SHDH study lounge on the 6th
floor. I also love any excuse for social events
and meeting new people, so as your rep Ill make
sure we continue to throw SHDH social events,
bring in speakers, whatever youre interested in.
For one, there should be more opportunities at
the beginning and end of the year for everyone in
the department to meet informally- so 1st year
MS2s can meet with doctoral students, etc. I'd
also like to see ongoing student involvement in
the development and improvement of SHDH required
coursework and practica.
23
HSPH Representative to HGC Mariesa Ricks
Hello fellow students of the School of Public
Health! My name is Mariesa Ricks and I am a first
year MS2 candidate in the Society, Human
Development, and Health Department and I would
love for you to consider my candidacy as a
representative on the Harvard Graduate Council.
As an HCG representative, I would be responsible
for ensuring fair representation of HSPH and
making sure that the concerns of our community
are expressed and considered. Furthermore, I
would be responsible for fostering and
solidifying relationships within the graduate
school community through collaboration in the
planning of academic and social events that
encompass various facets of the graduate
communities. Admittedly I havent been removed
from the school environment for very long (I
graduated from college a little over a year ago),
but I have garnered a great deal of experience in
the capacity of serving as an effective student
leader in various campus organizations. Ive
chaired various social activities, for example,
an intercollegiate winter formal dance that
included guests from various college campuses in
Boston, and as a board member of a major campus
organization collaborated with executive boards
of other cultural and political organizations on
campus to foster understanding of different
cultures and viewpoints through the co-hosting of
various events. Furthermore, as allegiance to
the organizations on which I served as a board
member, I strove to ensure that our presence was
known on campus and in the wider community of
Boston (e.g., helping to administer a new
after-school mentorship program in the
under-resourced area of Mattapan). As a former
hurdler and rugby player, I know the importance
of team work, tenacity, and hard work, and I hope
to bring my experience and dedication as your
HSPH representative on the Harvard Graduate
Council ?
24
HSPH Representative to HGC Sonali Vaid
We heard the phrase Welcome to Harvard
repeatedly during the orientation we were
welcomed not only to the Harvard School of Public
Health but also to Harvard University. We were
told to cross-the-river and take advantage of
what the other schools at Harvard have to offer.
But it is easier said than done. How many of us
have crossed-the-river, how many of us have tried
hard and yet failed due to scheduling conflicts
or other restrictions? While trying to
cross-register for a class at the Harvard Kennedy
School, I would repeatedly run into several other
determined students from HSPH who were trying to
do the same. But despite their sincerity, only
one of them has managed to get in on a class at
HKS. And as I went across the river to HKS and
the GSAS, I met a whole new world of people, and
activities and ways of doing things that we could
learn a lot from. And I also realized that HSPH
has a lot to offer to the larger Harvard
community. There are already efforts underway to
spread the eco-initiatives from HSPH to other
Harvard buildings. HSPH has made green the new
crimson. Healthcare lies at the center of many
conversations at other schools, which could be
better informed by faculty speakers from HSPH.
There is so much potential for interaction and
involvement, and it relies on student
participation and feedback. There are also
roadblocks to better collaboration which I will
seek to address. I will focus on improving
student involvement in the Student Government
both at HSPH and in the Harvard Graduate Council,
so that suggestions can be heard and new
opportunities can be tapped. At the end of the
day it is more than classes and seminars that
will bring us closer it will be the friendships
we form with people from across campus that will
broaden our horizons and truly make us part of a
larger Harvard Community. And through this
position I hope to help build real bridges across
the river.
25
Student Representative to the Committee on
Education Policy Marlene Camacho
The student representative to the CEP is an
appointed postion by the SG President, Marlene
was one of our representatives last year and was
asked to continue in this position due to her
excellent performance and dedication to education
policy issues at HSPH.
26
Student Representative to the Committee on
Education Policy Aaron Holman
The student representative to the CEP is an
appointed postion by the SG President, Aaron was
one of our representatives last year and was
asked to continue in this position due to his
excellent performance and dedication to education
policy issues at HSPH.
27
Student Representative to the Committee on
Admissions and Degrees (CAD) Stalo Karageorgi
The student representative to the CAD is an
appointed postion by the SG President and has the
following responsibililities - Attend the
meetings of the Committee in Admissions and
Degrees. - Participate in the debates to
determine the graduation requirements for
different degree programs at HSPH. - Check the
consistency of the criteria used to admit
students to different degree programs at HSPH -
Participate in the solution of controversies for
some admission decisions in the Spring Semester
(early February to late March) - Represent all
the students at HSPH in regards to admission and
degrees issues.