Zach earned a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology in 2025.  He developed a passion for infectious disease epidemiology early in life, influenced by personal experience and a deep curiosity about the natural world. At the age of three, he contracted Lyme disease from a tick bite, an event that sparked his awareness of the connection between environmental factors and human health. His interest continued to grow throughout his childhood, especially while crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay from the age of 11, where he began to consider how the environment affects both animal and human well-being. Zach pursued a biology degree at McDaniel College, where he built a strong foundation in the life sciences. After graduating in 2022, he joined Precision for Medicine, a global clinical research organization, as a laboratory technician at its Frederick, Maryland facility. Within two years, he was promoted to research associate in the flow cytometry laboratory. In this role, he assists scientists with assay development and validation, improves lab procedures, implements new techniques, and ensures laboratory safety—continuing to grow his expertise in laboratory science and infectious disease research.

Gloria received a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2025.  She is eager to begin her professional career in the field of speech-language pathology. As a parent, she has developed a deep understanding of the desire to advocate for one’s child and help them succeed — an experience that fuels her passion to support other families in helping their children reach their full potential. In addition to her personal experiences, Gloria is a semi-native Spanish speaker who learned English and Spanish simultaneously. Aware of the growing need for bilingual speech-language pathologists, she aims to use her language skills to provide therapy services in both languages. She is also committed to raising awareness about the benefits of bilingualism and helping to distinguish between language differences and true communication disorders in children. Gloria is particularly passionate about serving diverse families in her local elementary school, where she believes she can make the greatest impact through early identification and intervention of communication difficulties. She hopes that by combining early support with a family-centered approach, children in her community will experience improved communication skills — leading to better academic, social, and emotional outcomes, and ultimately enhancing their quality of life. Alongside her academic achievements, Gloria brings strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. She is confident in her ability to clearly convey information, actively listen, and build meaningful relationships with culturally diverse families from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Her creativity enables her to find unique solutions to challenges, and her long-term vision for improved communication outcomes inspires her to motivate families to take an active role in their children’s development and education.

For nearly a decade, Jane has worked in various public health roles that have deepened her commitment to promoting health equity and improving the well-being of underserved communities. She began her career as a Prevention Specialist, delivering evidence-based health education to children and teens, which highlighted the importance of early intervention. Currently, she serves as a Community Engagement Specialist at the South Carolina Department of Public Health, where she partners with diverse communities to implement tailored public health initiatives and build trust. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was appointed as a manager, overseeing a team responsible for tracking case data. In this role, she ensured timely reporting, managed communications, and led onboarding efforts, strengthening her leadership, adaptability, and crisis management skills. In addition to her professional experience, Jane earned a MPH degree from the Arnold School of Public Health in 2025 with a concentration in Health Services Policy and Management. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA and working full-time, she gained expertise in health systems management, budgeting, and policy analysis - skills she now applies to drive meaningful change in the public health field.

As a student at the University of South Carolina, Ashley had the opportunity to lead and conduct research that set her on a career path she hadn’t initially envisioned when beginning her MPH program which she earned in 2025. Her deep engagement in projects focused on adolescent pregnancy, child development, and maternal nutrition broadened her understanding of maternal health and introduced her to diverse research methodologies. These experiences solidified her passion for research and clarified her professional direction. Through the MPH program in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior (HPEB), Ashley developed a strong foundation in understanding the social determinants of health and how health outcomes are deeply connected to political and legal systems. As a maternal and child health researcher, she sees advocacy as an essential part of her public health work. She feels a strong responsibility to use her skills to champion access to prenatal and reproductive care, safer birthing conditions, and comprehensive postpartum support, especially amid today’s challenging political climate. The leadership skills she developed through her MPH training have prepared her to rise to this task. Ashley was the only student in her HPEB cohort to complete a master’s thesis, where she also served as study coordinator. This role provided valuable experience in community engagement and relationship-building with stakeholders, including nonprofits and local leaders. To build trust with young Latina mothers in Columbia for her research interviews, she volunteered with Power in Changing Diaper Bank on distribution days, an experience that taught her the importance of authentic community connection and culturally sensitive outreach. As study coordinator, Ashley also gained leadership and management experience by mentoring three undergraduate research assistants. Each student came with varying levels of experience and required different teaching approaches. She learned how to tailor her communication, explain complex statistical concepts in accessible ways, and balance flexibility with accountability in delegating tasks and managing deadlines. This not only strengthened her mentorship abilities but also reinforced her own academic understanding. Despite the uncertainties that come with a research career, Ashley is confident that her future lies in maternal and child health research. She recognizes that this path will require continued leadership and advocacy - not only to secure funding but also to serve and uplift the communities she studies. She is committed to further developing these skills and growing into a public health leader who makes a lasting impact.

Nabeeha Baig earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health in 2025, with minors in Medical Humanities & Culture and Biology. Her interest in public health began in the BRIE Lab, where she explored how dietary interventions impact chronic disease prevention. She went on to volunteer over 200 hours at the Free Medical Clinic, working with uninsured and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients, and contributed to research in the Connect Lab focused on youth development through physical activity. Beyond her academic and clinical involvement, Nabeeha has held several leadership roles, including Advocacy Committee Chair, Vice President, and Secretary of the Residence Hall Association; Event Coordinator for Alpha Epsilon Delta Health Pre-Professional Honor Society; Mentor for first-generation students in the TRIO Opportunity Scholars Program; and Educational Sessions Chair for the 2023 SAACURH Regional Leadership Conference at USC. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Wilson-Kibler Bicentennial Award, the Outstanding Senior Award, and the President’s Award. Nabeeha plans to pursue a career in medicine, aiming to not only provide clinical care but also advocate for systemic change to improve access, education, and compassionate care for all communities.

Morgan earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the Arnold School of Public Health in 2025 with a focus on early intervention and health equity. Her academic and professional experiences, including tutoring fellow students and interning with Prisma Health’s genetic counseling team, have strengthened her dedication to health equity and addressing social determinants of health. She has led initiatives to improve access to academic support, co-taught a University 101 course, and created brochures still used by Prisma Health to help patients and families access local resources. Although she aspires to work in medicine, Morgan believes her public health background and perspective will distinguish her in the field. She is committed to providing care that is both holistic and compassionate, advocating for patients both inside and outside the healthcare system. Through her studies at the Arnold School, she has gained a deep appreciation for how healthcare extends beyond clinical care to encompass patients’ lived experiences, resource accessibility, and overall wellness.

Following her graduation from the Arnold School of Public Health in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Jessica will attend Duke University School of Medicine to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She recognizes that physical therapy is a profession that demands a strong connection with patients and a supportive community environment. Her experience as a gymnastics coach has honed her skills as an excellent motivator, which she plans to use to create a positive and uplifting space where every patient, regardless of their goals or abilities, feels a sense of joy and belonging. Through her coursework, hands-on experience with a diverse range of patients, and exposure to healthcare from a global perspective, Jessica has witnessed firsthand the disparities many patients face. She is committed not only to empowering her patients but also to making physical therapy accessible to as many individuals as possible. During her internship at The Therapy Place, where she shadowed over 350 hours in a pediatric setting working with children with special needs and rare genetic conditions, she discovered a passion for advocating for this vulnerable population. Understanding that many families come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, Jessica plans to raise awareness and funds to support them, partnering with community businesses to provide scholarships for those in need. Additionally, she aims to combine her passion for pediatric therapy with health disparities research by exploring innovative and cost-effective treatment options that increase accessibility. Throughout her internship, Jessica formed strong professional relationships, including with a newly hired physical therapist who expressed deep gratitude for her support in easing into the pediatric therapy environment. This affirmation strengthened her confidence and solidified her decision to pursue physical therapy. She feels honored to have helped others find community and purpose in their careers, and these experiences have profoundly shaped her both personally and professionally.

Krystal H. Cooper is a Project Manager in Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of South Carolina, overseeing diabetes research projects and managing research timelines, participant recruitment, and team coordination. She previously served as Program Coordinator for the Technology and Behavioral Intervention Lab, supporting a community-based physical activity program for adults with arthritis. Ms. Cooper earned a Master of Health Administration from the Arnold School of Public Health in 2007 and a Bachelor's in Experimental Psychology from Francis Marion University. She has held roles such as Research Specialist at USC and Business Analyst at Palmetto Health (now known as Prisma Health), where she ensured regulatory compliance and earned the Physician Integration Excellence Award. Ms. Cooper’s experience spans research management, healthcare administration, and staff coordination, with a focus on improving operational efficiency and ensuring high-quality outcomes in both research and clinical settings.

Dr. Rahul Ghosal is an Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina. He received his PhD in Statistics from the North Carolina State University, and his Master’s and Bachelor’s in Statistics from the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. His research focuses on developing novel statistical methods with applications in the areas of cardiovascular disease, physical activity, sleep, gait, aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Winkelmann is a dedicated faculty member at the University of South Carolina and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing the study of public health through innovative teaching, mentorship, and service. His work bridges the gap between academic theory and practical application, fostering a new generation of health professionals who are well-equipped to serve diverse communities. Dr. Winkelmann’s leadership, scholarship, and unwavering dedication to public health exemplify the core values of Delta Omega.