What inspired your interest in Planetary Health?

Growing up, I always loved being outdoors‚ whether it was hiking in the mountains, playing in creeks, or enjoying snowy days in the backyard. Nature has always been a constant in my life, and because it's the home we all share, I'm committed to dedicating my work to protecting it.

Midway through my career, I moved to the West Coast and was inspired by how progressive other states were compared to Maryland. That experience solidified my commitment to channel my public health background into work focused on Planetary Health. Now, as part of the Institute for Planetary Health, I find deeper meaning in my work and feel more motivated than ever to address environmental change and its impact on health at a broader scale.

Tell us about your Planetary Health work at JHU

As the Academic Program Manager at the Institute for Planetary Health, I focus on educating and engaging the JHU community around Planetary Health, with a background in public health and climate and health. My work embeds Planetary Health education across all JHU schools and divisions while engaging the broader university community through outreach and programming. I collaborate closely with our Education Faculty Directors, Megan Latshaw, and Hunter Gehlbach, to advance curriculum development, research analysis, and strategic partnerships. A key part of my role is building an intellectual hub for Planetary Health by fostering collaboration with faculty, students, staff, and aligned institutes across Hopkins while effectively communicating core Planetary Health principles.

What excites you about the future of Planetary Health?

I'm looking forward to building a stronger community of people who share the same values and recognize the urgent threats facing our Earth's systems. Creating spaces where we can connect, relate, and communicate with one another is more important than ever in these uncertain times. I'm excited to continue learning, sharing knowledge, and bringing more people together to engage in these critical conversations.