Pitt Public Health doctoral student Aubree McMahon has been selected to join the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) Student Think Tank Fellowship for the 2026–2027 cohort. This highly competitive program brings together a small group of graduate students from across the U.S. to serve as an advisory cohort for the journal, contributing to special calls for papers, newsletters and student engagement initiatives.
McMahon, in her third year of doctoral studies in behavioral and community health sciences, focuses her research on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Her dissertation examines how state-level education policies influence district and school-level decision-making around sex education and related public health outcomes.
“What really drew me to the AJPH think tank is my love of teaching and engaging with emerging scientists,” McMahon said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to strengthen my scientific communication skills and amplify student voices in the journal, while bringing its writings into my classroom in a more engaging and thoughtful way.”
McMahon will serve in the fellowship from February 2026 to January 2027, beginning with an orientation in February and including an in-person meeting in March at the AJPH offices in Washington, D.C., with ongoing virtual collaboration throughout the year.
She is one of only six graduate students selected nationwide for the fellowship.
-Clare Collins