Sixteen rising juniors and seniors from area high schools presented their research during a special closing event for the Public Health Science Academy July 18 at the School of Public Health.
Dressed to impress, students eagerly shared their experiences next to explanatory posters as faculty mentors and parents, friends, family members and other interested individuals lingered to learn more.
Milo Rent and Hritika Basu, both rising juniors at Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy, will share the Justin Reid Ehrenwerth Emerging Scholar Award, a $15,000 award funded through the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) and offered for the first time during the 2025 summer session. The pair studied the negative health impacts of flooding, outdated sewer systems and antiquated lead-lined pipes prevalent in Pittsburgh’s low-lying and predominantly low-income older neighborhoods.
“Justin was a visionary and a mentor. These awards continue his legacy by investing in the next generation of changemakers here in Pittsburgh who are committed to equity, sustainability, and public service,” said David H. Ehrenwerth, chair of the Justin Reid Ehrenwerth Community Impact Award Selection Committee and Justin’s father. “
In announcing the award, Dean Maureen Lichtveld, MD, MPH, commented on the selection of a water-related research focus: “Justin was passionate about making sure communities, regardless of where people lived, had access to clean water. With this research focus, we are honoring Justin by growing the next generation of water science scholars.”
Basu said the program “allowed me to develop research and collaboration skills. I enjoyed exploring a dry-lab environment and working closely with mentors who always provided me with guidance and assurance.”
“This program was fun and a great opportunity for students,” added Rent, who plans to go on to nursing school after graduation.
The award will fund a future yearlong research project on water quality with mentorship from experts with Three Rivers Waterkeeper (3RWK), a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, improving, and restoring the water quality of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers, as well as their surrounding watersheds.
“Through science, advocacy and community engagement, we work to ensure that everyone has access to clean, safe water for drinking, fishing, swimming and recreation now and for future generations,” said Hannah Hohman, 3RWK environmental steward.
The award provides protected research time during the school year for Basu and Rent to work on their project, noted Edwina Kinchington, PhD, a biological technology teacher at the Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy. The students will also receive academic credit for their work, she said.
Launched in summer 2022, the academy is a four-week academic experience during which local 10th and 11th graders participate in public health in action across campus and the city. Founded by Dean Lichtveld and codirected by faculty member Berthony (Toni) Deslouches, MD, PhD, with support from faculty mentors across the school and the dean’s office staff, the academy strives to increase access to and awareness of public health for younger generations and to create pathways into academic degree programs.
-Michele Dula Baum