Student Ambassadors

Email Andre: andreasarian@vt.edu

Email Corin: corin21@vt.edu

Email Jordan: jordank03@vt.edu

Email Jessica: jessicav@vt.edu

Email Caroline: carolinewood25@vt.edu

My name is Helena Alemu a junior from Northern Virginia majoring in Public Health with a minor in Health Communications. 

My ultimate goal is to attend physician assistant (PA) school, and I believe a public health degree will provide an excellent foundation for this path. Moreover, this degree aligns perfectly with my long-term aspiration to assist countries in need of medical aid, allowing me to make a meaningful impact on global health in the future. 

I wanted to become an ambassador to showcase the numerous opportunities and resources that VT has to offer. As someone who has benefited from these resources, I'm eager to share my experiences and help prospective students understand how VT can support their academic and personal growth.

Email Helena: helenaa@vt.edu

Hi! My name is Laiba Ali, and I am from Alexandria, Virginia. I’m a sophomore at Virginia Tech majoring in Public Health, and I aspire to get my MPH after graduating. In my free time, I love singing and listening to music. My favorite artists are Drake and Ariana Grande. I also enjoy reading and watching movies.

For most of my life, I knew I wanted to go into medicine and healthcare. In high school, I helped found the nonprofit Period101, an organization devoted to fighting period poverty and the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. Through this advocacy work, I discovered that I wanted to pursue a field of health where I could help not just individuals, but also address health challenges on a global scale. Choosing public health has allowed me to support those around me while gaining a broader perspective on health equity and equality for all.

My main interests in public health include cancer epidemiology, period poverty, pediatrics, and global health equity.

I decided to become a Public Health Ambassador because I believe the community within our program is incredibly welcoming. As a freshman last year, I understand how difficult it can be to find your place in college and how important it is to have someone to connect with. I want everyone to have the opportunity to feel seen, find their place, and be themselves while working toward similar career goals and aspirations :) Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or just to talk!

Email Laiba: laiba@vt.edu

Hi! My name is Quinn Barravecchia and I’m from Warwick, New York! I’m a junior here at Virginia Tech, majoring in Public Health with a double minor in geographical information systems and geography. After graduation, I hope to earn a Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology and Occupational Health and Safety and work as an occupational epidemiologist or in the disaster/emergency preparedness field!

While at Tech, I have the amazing opportunity to be involved in undergraduate research through the Integrated Health Sciences and Research Program, where I work in behavioral economics through the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Outside of class and research, I’m super honored to be the Vice President of the Women’s Ice Hockey team, where I spend the majority of my weekends with my favorite people! I also love to read (I’m a huge J.R.R. Martin and Matt Haig fan!) and hike, especially in West Virginia and Tennessee.

I’m super excited to be an ambassador this year so I can help incoming first-year students and transfer major students, like myself, find their way in the BSPH program!

Email Quinn: quinntess05@vt.edu

Hey! My name is Mehret Berhanu, and I’m from Northern Virginia. I am currently majoring in Public Health on the Pre-PA track. After completing my BSPH, I plan on getting my Masters in PH. 

When I was first choosing my major, I knew I wanted to do something that focused on health on a global scale. I quickly realized that Public Health was for me! I believe change can happen by focusing on the health needs and demands within our communities. I chose Public Health to contribute to that change and see it in action. As I’m currently on the Pre-PA track, I believe it’s important to know the social and environmental determinants that affect our health daily, to 

provide the best care for all patients. Public Health has truly helped broaden my perspective on the endless opportunities within the health field and I am extremely grateful for it.

As a student ambassador, I hope to bridge the gap between professors and students, to let their opinions/ideas be known and heard. I want to share my experiences within the program and help guide my peers. If you have any questions on the program or VT in general, feel free to reach out!!

Email Mehret: mehretb24@vt.edu

Hi! My name is Emma Gregory, and I am from Midlothian, Virginia. I am a sophomore studying Public Health on the pre-medical professions track.

I have always known my ultimate career goal is to work in healthcare someday. When I came to Virginia Tech, I switched into the Public Health program the second semester of my freshman year and instantly fell in love. I quickly learned that Public Health encompasses all of the reasons I am passionate about pursuing a career within the medical field. I love learning about different aspects of the healthcare system, evaluating the spread and prevention of disease, and assessing barriers to health education and promotion, to name a few. My ultimate dream job is to be a physician working within the realm of Women’s Health for a university/ teaching hospital. I believe a Public Health Degree will equip me with many of the skills and knowledge I need to pursue a field in healthcare and achieve my goals. 

I wanted to become involved as an ambassador to help show prospective students the variety of wonderful things Virginia Tech’s Public Health program has to offer. From learning from an excellent faculty, to utilizing all the different resources available, I hope you can find a home in this program as I have!

Email Emma: emmagraceg24@vt.edu

Hi! I'm Thiviya, a junior from Ashburn, VA pursuing dual degrees in Microbiology and Public Health. I'm particularly interested in the quantitative side of public health – like epidemiology and biostatistics – and learning the science behind disease transmission. I'd like to continue these studies in graduate school, either in an MS or science-focused MPH program.

I started as a Public Health minor but loved the program so much that I eventually added it on as a second major. My experience with classes, professors, and advisors in the department has been overwhelmingly positive, especially with the smaller class sizes and genuinely caring faculty – an experience that can be hard to find, especially at such a large public university like VT. One of my favorite parts of our BSPH program is the Practicum experience, for which I was able to bring in the undergraduate research project I was already working on as just a Microbiology major. This opportunity let me find a unique way of combining my academic interests and is helping guide my future career path!

If you are interested in adding Public Health as a major or minor or are interested in undergraduate research in the public health field, feel free to reach out!

Email Thiviva: thiviya@vt.edu

Hi! My name is Caroline McInnish. I was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, but spent my high school years in Wellesley, Massachusetts. I’m currently majoring in Public Health at Virginia Tech and plan to graduate in Spring 2027. After earning my degree, I hope to return to Virginia Tech to pursue a Master’s in Public Health.

I transferred into the Public Health major after my first semester in the Pamplin College of Business. I’m especially interested in Public Health Policy and Administration, where I can combine my passion for harm reduction advocacy with a drive to create meaningful change in communities.

Currently, I work with Hokie Wellness—Virginia Tech’s Department of Health Education and Promotion—as both an IMPACT peer educator and office assistant. Outside of academics, I’m actively involved in the Virginia Tech Recovery Community and The Roost Living-Learning Community.

As a peer ambassador for the BSPH program, I hope to highlight the wide range of career paths available in Public Health and help foster a welcoming, inclusive community for both current and prospective students.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat!

Email Caroline: carolinem05@vt.edu

Hi everyone! My name is Kathy Pham, and I’m from Northern Virginia—specifically the Fairfax County area. I’m currently a second-year student majoring in Public Health with a strong interest in pursuing the master’s program, and I’m also considering a double major in Human Development.

I’m proud to serve as one of the BSPH Student Ambassadors! I switched into Public Health from a different major, and I’d be happy to share my experience with anyone who’s considering making a similar change. Public Health has been a great fit for me because of the major’s versatility and the incredible support from both faculty and fellow students.

Beyond academics, I am a residential Well-being student leader and involved in the Pre-Nursing Club, Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), and Filipino American Student Association (FASA) here at Virginia Tech. 

I’m always excited to be a resource, so please don’t hesitate to reach out—whether you have questions about the major, need advice, or just want to chat!

Email Kathy: kathyypham14@vt.edu

My name is Domenico Picciano, and I'm from Windham, New Hampshire. I am majoring in Public Health with a double minor in Data and Decision Science and Entrepreneurship. With my degree, I aim to excel in the fields of healthcare data analytics or epidemiology. I am passionate about becoming an ambassador to guide and inspire a new generation of public health students, helping them achieve their fullest potential.

Email Domenico: domenicoapicc26@vt.edu

Hi! My name is Grayson Russell, and I am from Salem, Virginia! I am entering my second year here at Tech. I plan to graduate early in 2026 with a Bachelor’s in Public Health. With my degree, I plan to attend Physician Assistant school to earn my Master’s and begin practicing as a provider! I initially came to Tech as a Microbiology major, however, I realized after my first semester that I didn’t click with the major, so I began the search for a new major and found Public Health. After finding out that I could still take all the science classes I needed to take while learning about other important aspects of healthcare as a Public Health major, I knew it was for me! I decided to become an ambassador after my first semester as a Public Health student because all the professors, advisors, and faculty within Public Health are kind, smart, and passionate, and all of those transferred over to me as a student! I am eager to help other students on their journey, whether it be within Public Health, transferring majors, or anything else! Please feel free to reach out! I am so excited to get to know you!

Email Grayson: grrgrayson@vt.edu 

Hi my name is Malaika Kiyani! I am from Northern Virginia. I chose public health as my major because I hope to attend medical school, and I felt the Public Health pre-med option was the best fit for me. I wanted to become an ambassador to show new students how versatile this major is.

Email Malaika: malaikak@vt.edu

My name is Vickie Zewdie and I’m a Senior here at Virginia Tech studying Public Health on the pre-dental track. I grew up in Ethiopia, where I witnessed firsthand the challenges many people face in accessing basic healthcare. These early experiences sparked my interest in health equity and inspired me to pursue a career where I could make a difference in people’s lives.

What drew me to public health was its focus on prevention and I appreciate how the major allows me to explore diverse topics like epidemiology, health systems, and environmental health, while also preparing me for a career dedicated to service and impact.

As a student ambassador, I’m excited to connect with others, especially those who might not be familiar with what public health has to offer. I want to help prospective and current students see the many ways this field can lead to meaningful and fulfilling careers.

Email Vickie: victoriazewdie@vt.edu