Alumni Highlights
Hear from our Alumni
"The Master of Public Health (MPH) program equipped me with critical knowledge and skills in population health, epidemiology, and health policy. It enhanced my ability to analyze health-related data and navigate complex healthcare systems. This foundation has supported my professional growth and impact, from an individual contributor to senior-level leader providing technical guidance to federal healthcare systems."
Michael Moini, PHE, Class of 2011
"My experience in the MPH program provided me with the skills and knowledge that shaped my career as an entrepreneur and private practice dietitian in Martinsville, VA. Through the program, I learned how to conduct a needs assessment, which helped me identify a gap in nutrition services within my community—leading me to establish my own practice. The MPH program also equipped me to meet clients and the community where they are, addressing the many factors that influence their nutrition habits. My clients often express appreciation for my well-rounded approach. I credit this perspective to my MPH education and am grateful to be an alumnus!"
Samantha Seay Turner, PHE, Class of 2020
"The infectious disease concentration of the MPH program helped me to apply technical knowledge of infectious diseases to big-picture scenarios. I was involved with the Public Health Association at VT, which helped me develop strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills. These experiences have prepared me for my current role as the Technical Coordinator of Lab Services at Alliant Food Safety Labs, where I coordinate and perform pathogen and microbiological testing, environmental monitoring, approval of food processing procedures and more."
Mia Grzywinski, ID, Class of 2024
"I'm currently an Infection Control Associate at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control (HEIC) department. I believe Dr. Bertke's principals of infectious disease course and my practicum experience in infection prevention solidified my passion for the field. My next goal is to become an infection preventionist through educational opportunities within the HEIC department."
Asia Richardson, CHPE & ID, Class of 2024
"I currently work as a Regional Child Care Health Consultant in North Carolina and feel that the MPH program left me well prepared for this role. My role consists mainly of providing trainings and technical assistance to early educators on best practice health and safety strategies for children in child care settings. The MPH program gave me a strong foundation in health education and promotion, infectious disease and epidemiology as well as health policy, all of which are skills I use every day. After completing the MPH program, I also gained a valuable understanding of health disparities which is imperative in my field. The collaboration and communications skills I gained from the program have also allowed me to confidently work with diverse stakeholders, from early educators to local health agencies all to ensure health and safe environments for children."
Sara Miller, PHE & ID, Class of 2023
Alumni in the News
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Veterinary college alum honoree Tierra Price does not choose the quiet life , articleTierra Price, a 2020 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health graduate, owns and directs Unleashed Veterinary Care in Louisville and has received the 2026 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
Date: May 04, 2026 - -
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From charter class to Lifetime Achievement: Bill Pierson’s 40-Year bond with the veterinary college , articleBill Pierson helped build the veterinary college as a first-year student more than 40 years ago and kept coming back to a school that, even in retirement, he still cannot quite leave.
Date: Apr 15, 2026 - -
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Drones, clean water, and nine new businesses on a Virginia Tech team's path from Blacksburg to the United Nations , articleA team of Virginia Tech students built a drone to safely collect water samples in Malawi, earning a spot in a United Nations business incubator and drawing interest from UNICEF. Along the way, their training program helped nine Malawian women start their own businesses.
Date: Mar 04, 2026 - -
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Families of virology pioneers set up new scholarship for public health and veterinary students , articleLuis Melendez, a professor in the veterinary college’s early years at Virginia Tech, and Pedro Acha, a visiting lecturer, were close friends and groundbreaking researchers who established concepts of One Health.
Date: Feb 16, 2026 - -
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VMCVM Student Spotlight: Andre Asarian , articleMeet Andre Asarian, MPH Class of 2026, a public health education student at VMCVM with a background in public health and political science. Inspired by his work as an EMT during COVID-19, Andre is passionate about medicine, education, and making a difference. His practicum with VTCSOM explores rural medical training, and he hopes to become both a physician and an educator. Outside the classroom, he enjoys sushi, football, and time with his rescue cat, Po.
Date: Nov 06, 2025 - -
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Dual-degree veterinary college alum Lydia Carpenter awarded Service to America medal , articleCarpenter was honored for her work with the USDA developing a program to prevent, detect, and respond to African swine fever.
Date: Sep 09, 2025 -
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