Titi Abiodun
As an undergraduate research assistant in the Nolan Lab of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Titi Abiodun became even more passionate about using science to improve public health.
Award Winners
Each year, the Arnold School and our departments recognize outstanding graduate students with awards. Check back to see who won the 2024 Student Awards.
Meet a Few of Our Graduates
We have featured a few of our outstanding students who are graduating in 2024. Click on the stories below to learn more about their journeys.
Anika Nair
Anika Nair She graduates this month with Leadership Distinction in Research and is the recipient of the USC Outstanding Senior and President's Awards. She is planning a career in pediatric medicine.
Bryan Wolf
At the Arnold School, Bryan Wolf became passionate about understanding health on a macro scale, including the nuances of health care systems and developing cultural competence. He served as an ambassador for the school and found several mentors and ways to give back.
Darby Mihelich
As members of the United States Air Force, Darby Mihelich's parents inspired her to pursue a career as a public health officer in the military branch that had become a second home to them all.
Emily Barros
Emily Barros will spend the summer as a fellow in the Diversity in Addiction Training Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she will focus on tobacco use research and obtain her medical Spanish interpreter's license.
Anusha Ghosh
Knowing that she wanted to address inequities both in the U.S. and globally, Anusha Ghosh selected public health and Spanish has the concentration areas for her BARSC-MD (Accelerated Undergraduate to MD Program) at the South Carolina Honors College.
Hayley Mason
With an acceptance into the University of North Carolina School of Law, Hayley Mason plans to focus on the impact of health policy on health outcomes - eventually at the national and international level.
Emily Hackworth
During her Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior program, Emily Hackworth's research has focused on factors that predict nicotine use, including mental health, gender identity and risk perceptions.
Allie McDermott
After graduating with Leadership Distinction in Community Service and the Outstanding Senior Award in May, Allie McDermott will gain additional experience as a research coordinator for the Rubin Lab at the University of Chicago before applying to medical school.
Shanikque Barksdale
Shanikque Barksdale graduates in May with six peer-reviewed publications to her name. With interests in maternal and child health, telehealth and rural health, she is perfectly positioned in her role at DHEC to continue making an impact in these areas.
Tyson Ansani
After spending a gap year in Ghana, public health major Tyson Ansani will attend medical school. Volunteering at the Columbia Free Medical Clinic and a medical mission trip to Guatemala have opened his eyes to the health disparities he'd like to address.
Jaimeen Shah
Public health gradaute Jaimeen Shah is heading to medical school this fall. He says that health policy internships, public health classes and a welcoming university community have given him a passion for community-based advocacy.
Madison Paternostro
As a student in the Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Madison Paternostro developed an interest in clinical operations within health systems - particularly at outpatient facilities where patients receive most of their care.
Lauren McAbee
Greenville, South Carolina native Lauren McAbee loved her experience in the B.S. in Public Health program so continuing at the Arnold School for her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology degree was an easy decision.
Kimberly Nardi
After graduating in May, Professional Athletic Training Student Above and Beyond Award winner Kimberly Nardi will begin working with professional and collegiate athletes at a performance-based sports complex in Georgia.
Dakshu Jindal
During her Ph.D. in Health Services Policy and Management program, Dakshu Jindal gained research experience as a graduate assistant on projects within her department and at the Center for Community Health Alignment.