Student Ambassadors
The student ambassador program is a volunteer opportunity for undergraduate and graduate public health students to be representatives of our Public Health Program. The student ambassadors serve as a resource for current and incoming public health students, and are happy to talk with prospective students about their experiences in the program. You can read more about them and find their email addresses by clicking on their names in orange below.
2026 - 2027 Graduate (MPH) Student Ambassadors
Sara Bannwart
Hello! I am a second-year MPH student studying Public Health Education. I earned my B.S. in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience with minors in Spanish and Adaptive Brain and Behavior here at Virginia Tech in 2025. My primary interests are in substance use, mental health, science communication, advocacy, and policy. I hope to pursue a career in policy, advocacy, and government relations. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outside, taking advantage of the numerous walking paths in Blacksburg, reading, and baking! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, or to talk!
Layla Hamilton
Hello, I am a second-year MPH student from Cary, North Carolina. I graduated from UNC at Charlotte with a BS degree in Health Systems Management and minors in Biology and Public Health. My primary interests are rural and maternal health, particularly improving access to healthcare resources in underserved communities. On the fun side, I’m a huge fan of superheroes and docuseries. This year, I will serve as Secretary for the Graduate Public Health Association. I am excited to connect with everyone, so please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I look forward to meeting you all!
Aniya Hawkins
Coming soon.
Breanna Helton
Hello! I’m a second-year MPH (ID concentration) student from Hurley, VA. I earned my BS in Animal and Poultry Sciences with minors in Public Health and Appalachian Cultures & Environments from Virginia Tech in May 2025. Outside of classes, I love to destress with my two cats and by volunteering with my local humane society. I decided to become a public health Hokie to further my understanding of epidemiology, disease prevention, and the unique public health challenges faced by rural and underserved communities. My main passion is animal health in rural animal populations. I am also passionate about substance use disorder and One Health approaches to public health
Caitlyn Jung
Hi! I am a part-time MPH student while pursuing my PhD in Biomedical Engineering. I earned my BS in Biomedical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2024, and minors in Adaptive Brain and Behavior, Disability Studies, Engineering Science and Mechanics, and Psychology. Since 2021, I have been conducting research with the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. My research is driven by my passion for improving the safety of individuals in sports, particularly in relation to head injuries such as concussions. Currently, I study the head impacts experienced by children when riding bicycles.
Tyler Yarbrough
Hello! I’m a second-year MPH student with a concentration in infectious disease. I received my BS in public health, but wanting more, I decided to pursue my MPH. I’m currently involved in a lab studying the behavioral influences on seasonal disease movement. A lot of my specialties relate to data analytics, but I try to do a bit of everything if I can. My main interest in public health includes epidemiology, infectious diseases, health statistics, data collection, and research. Beyond school, I’m a nerd. I love video games and board games. Outside of that, I also love hiking and swimming. I am looking forward to helping new students settle in and promote the program. The community in our program is amazing, and I want to help show it off.
2026 - 2027 Undergraduate (BSPH) Student Ambassadors
Laiba Ali
Hello, I’m a junior from Alexandria, Virginia, majoring in Public Health with a double minor in Health Communication and Data and Decision Sciences. After graduating, I plan to pursue an MPH with a concentration in Epidemiology. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or just to talk!
Mehret Berhanu
Hello, I'm a junior from Woodbridge, VA, majoring in Public Health on the Pre-PA track, with a minor in Health Communication. After completing my BSPH, I plan on getting my MPH with a concentration in epidemiology. In my second year as a student ambassador, I look forward to bridging the gap between professors and students and helping students' opinions/ideas be known and heard. If you have any questions on the program or VT in general, feel free to reach out!!
Anna D'Alessandris
Hello, I’m a senior from Arlington, VA, studying Public Health and minoring in Health Communication. Currently, I work as a medical assistant, and I plan to pursue an accelerated nursing program after I graduate. I applied to be a BSPH ambassador because I am very passionate about this program, the classes are engaging, and a great preparation for a future in healthcare!
Kalli Dinos
Hello, I am a junior from Alexandria, VA, pursuing a dual degree in Public Health and Arabic with minors in Spanish and International Studies on the pre-med track.
I’m excited to be a BSPH Ambassador because I want to engage with the program on a deeper level and connect with current students, prospective students, and alumni.
Elizabeth Doble
Hi, I go by Lizzy, and I am a junior from Ashburn, majoring in Public Health and Biochemistry, with a minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior. I am currently on the pre-medical track, and I hope to pursue a career as a physician, with interests in pediatrics, pathology, and emergency medicine. As a student ambassador, I am excited to connect with students who are passionate about making a difference and to share the many opportunities public health offers, helping them discover how it can fit into their goals and experiences.
Christina Dang
Hello, I’m a junior in the BSPH major from Richmond, VA. I am planning to focus on the legal and advocacy side of public health. As a student ambassador I look forward to the opportunity to connect with fellow public health students. As a relatively small college, I want to build meaningful connections within my major. I am also passionate about sharing my love for public health, as it is such a diverse field with countless directions a student can take with their degree, and I enjoy guiding others as they discover that for themselves.
Emma Grace Gregory
Hi, I am a junior from Midlothian, Virginia, studying Public Health on the pre-medical professions track. As an ambassador, I look forward to help show prospective students the variety of wonderful things Virginia Tech’s Public Health program has to offer and lead them to accomplish all of their professional goals.
Lily Lehman
Hi, I’m a sophomore from Bergen County, New Jersey, majoring in Public Health and looking to pursue a career in Health Administration or nursing. For fun I like to hang out with my friends on the drill field, go on hikes around campus, and attend the many events we have here at Virginia Tech! As an ambassador, I hope to show prospective students what public health is really about. Here at Virginia Tech, we are a tight-knit community looking to help others, and I see this core value strengthened every day through my peers, faculty, and staff. I look forward to meeting you!
Grace Malenda
glmalenda07@vt.edu
Hello, I’m a BSPH major, from Norfolk, Virginia. With aspirations of becoming a physician assistant, I am passionate about service and creating positive change both on campus and within my community. As a BSPH Ambassador, I hope to represent a program that shapes future healthcare leaders while showing prospective students and families why I chose public health and how it will help me become successful within my career path.
Sadiyah Mohammed
Hello, I am a junior BSPH student from Gainesville, Virginia, with an interest in optometry. As a BSPH ambassador I want to help show that public health is a strong and versatile foundational major that provides students with valuable mentorship opportunities, meaningful connections, and a wide range of career and post-graduation pathways.
Bella Peachey
Hello, I am a public health major and member of the Accelerated MPH here at Virginia Tech. I am from a small town outside of Harrisonburg, Virginia, which has sparked my interest in rural health. I am also interested in child and maternal health, holistic health, and health equity. As a BSPH Ambassador, I hope to help my peers discover what they are passionate about and serve as public health professionals. I have had a unique experience finding public health, but lots of opportunities and knowledge that I hope to share to help guide my peers.
Sabella Ryan
Hi, I’m a BSPH major from Northern Virginia. I am pursuing dual degrees in Public Health and Computational Modeling & Data Analytics. I’m passionate about using both health education and data-driven approaches to improve population health outcomes, particularly through prevention and community outreach. As a student ambassador I’m excited to support prospective students, share my experiences within the program, and represent a major that has had a significant impact on my academic and professional growth.
Shivani Tadkonda
I am from Chantilly, Virginia, and I am a junior on the pre-dental track. Public Health at Virginia Tech has helped me explore different sides of healthcare and figure out what I'm passionate about, and as a BSPH Ambassador I'd love to help other students find that same direction and sense of belonging.
Hanna Workman
Hello, I am a public health major from Leesburg, Virginia. I am passionate about health advocacy, and I'm interested in a future in Public Health consulting or administration. I'm looking forward to being a BSPH ambassador to create a welcoming environment for new students and support our growing community.
Student Ambassador Alumni
BSPH
- Helena Alemu
- Laiba Ali
- Quinn Barravecchia
- Mehret Berhanu
- Emma Grace Gregory
- Thiviya Karuppasamy
- Caroline McInnis
- Kathy Pham
- Domenico "Nico" Picciano
- Grayson Russell
- Minahil Sheikh
- Vidkie Zewdie
MPH
- Andre Asarian
- Corin Gabbard
- Jordan Khoury
- Mikhala Stafford
- Jessica Vester
- Caroline Wood
BSPH
- Andre Asarian
- Albert Annan
- Louhan Dembele
- Kayla Ford
- Thiviya Karuppasamy
- Malaika Kayani
- Ella Paci
- Domenico Picciano
- Grason Russell
- Minahil Sheikh
- Faith Smith
- Caroline Wood
MPH
- Gracie Akers
- Andrea Connor
- Emma Hare
- Elly Loyd
- Lauren Maghak
- Kelly Ribeiro
BSPH
- Andre Asarian
- Betaneya Daniel
- Louhan Dembele
- Vineela Eppe
- Kayla Ford
- Alishba Malik
- Kelly Ribeiro
- Minahil Sheikh
- Faith Smith
- Caroline Wood
MPH
- Dana Carhart
- Andrea Connor
- Jon Dance
- Grace DiGirolamo
- Samantha Edwards
- Natalie Scheuer
BSPH
- Ayman Belafia
- Chris Boyd
- Grace DiGirolamo
- Vineela Eppe
- Hailey Hollerbach
- Louisa Obenwa
- Brooke Sheridan
MPH
- Sarah Dixon, Accelerated MPH - Infectious Disease
- Carley Elliott, MPH - Infectious Disease
- Sam Rodgers, MPH - Infectious Disease and Public Health Education
- Julia Utting, DVM/MPH - Infectious Disease
- Domenique Villani, MPH - Infectious Disease and Public Health Education
BSPH
- Hannah Cho
- Natalie Martin
- Amanda Olney
- Maya Rakotoarisoa
MPH
- Madi Bautista, MPH - Infectious Disease
- Kirsten Kohl, MPH - Infectious Disease and Public Health Education
- Holley Moser, Accelerated MPH - Public Health Education
- Alexis Nuzzo, MPH - Infectious Disease
- Julia Utting, DVM/MPH - Infectious Disease
MPH
- Fernanda Gutierrez Matos, MPH - Infectious Disease & Public Health Education
- Teace Markwalter, MPH - Public Health Education
- Sam Miller, MPH - Public Health Education
- Hannah Reed, MPH - Infectious Disease
- Lauren Smith, Accelerated MPH - Infectious Disease
MPH
- Harper Lovegrove, MPH - Public Health Education
- Jordan Mills, MPH - Public Health Education
- Malik Outram, MPH - Infectious Disease
- Emilie Schweikert, MPH - Infectious Disease and Public Health Education
- Samantha Seay, MPH - Public Health Education
MPH
- Steven Black, MPH - Public Health Education
- Shelby Borowski, Simultaneous (PhD) MPH - Public Health Education
- Taylor Holsinger, MPH - Infectious Disease & Public Health Education
- Travis Oishi, MPH - Infectious Disease
MPH
- Mariah Malachi, MPH - Public Health Education
- Mari Shelton, MPH - Infectious Disease & Public Health Education
MPH
- Kristina Jiles, Simultaneous (PhD) MPH - Public Health Education
- Andrew Riddle, MPH - Public Health Education
- Zana Shabani, MPH - Public Health Education