Two Pitt Public Health graduate students, McKenna Brunick and Maahi Soni, have been selected as This is Public Health (TIPH) ambassadors for the 2025–26 academic year. Launched in 2017 by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), TIPH connects students nationwide to raise awareness of the field of public health. This year’s cohort includes 71 graduate students from 47 member schools. Pitt Public Health has participated in the program for the past five years.
Brunick is pursuing her MPH in human genetics and was nominated by Andrea Durst, DrPH, assistant professor in the department. Brunick first encountered public health while completing her biology degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “I knew I wanted to continue in science but also have a stronger connection with people and communities,” she said. Entering college during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the relevance of public health. When she learned Pitt offered a human genetics MPH—a rare option among schools—she felt she had found the right fit.
As an ambassador, Brunick looks forward to showcasing the variety of student experiences. “I think a day-in-the-life perspective is really important for people who don’t know what an MPH looks like. Public health is so broad, and the more graduates we have entering the workforce, the stronger it becomes,” she explained. She is also eager to expand her professional network, learn about the wide range of careers open to public health graduates, and share those opportunities with others.
In the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Soni, also an MPH student, was nominated by Nesta Bortey-Sam, PhD, assistant professor. Trained as a dental surgeon in India, Soni ran her own clinic before volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work with underprivileged communities inspired her to pursue public health. “I realized I wanted to be more than a clinician. I wanted to educate communities and make an impact on a larger scale,” she said. Encouraged by mentors, she applied to programs in the U.S. and chose Pitt for its strong support system for international students and scholarship opportunities.
Soni sees TIPH as a chance to combine her passion for education and outreach with modern communication tools. She is especially excited about contributing to the program’s Instagram presence and exploring creative formats like short reels and podcast-style interviews with guest speakers. “Instagram can reach so many students and show what public health looks like inside a school—through classes, guest lectures and student experiences,” she said.
Both ambassadors value the opportunity to collaborate across departments and connect with peers nationwide. They also hope to give back to Pitt Public Health by sharing their experiences with classmates.
“Being able to represent Pitt and public health more broadly is an honor,” Brunick said. Soni added, “Everything is new for me here, and TIPH gives me a way to network, learn and help others discover what public health can mean for their future.”
Brunick and Soni will be featured on ASPPH’s TIPH social media channels, with their ambassadorships continuing through June 2026.
- Clare Collins