
Amandeep Kaur
Amandeep Kaur is committed to curbing the high rates of preventable health conditions in affected populations. Using her education and training from the Arnold School’s Ph.D. in Epidemiology program, she’s taking a unique approach.
The Arnold School is proud of our 2024 graduates, who will go on to change the world locally and globally. Every year, faculty, staff, students, friends and family look forward to celebrating graduates at hooding and commencement ceremonies.
Each year, the Arnold School and our departments recognize outstanding graduate students with awards. Check back to see who won the 2024 Student Awards.
We have featured a few of our outstanding students who are graduating in 2024. Click on the stories below to learn more about their journeys.
Amandeep Kaur is committed to curbing the high rates of preventable health conditions in affected populations. Using her education and training from the Arnold School’s Ph.D. in Epidemiology program, she’s taking a unique approach.
Myrtle Beach native and first-generation college student Jaden O'Brien shares how USC changed her life, advice for incoming students, the keys to her success, and what's next after graduating in December.
Deeksha Gupta has a special tool for advancing health equity: a background in economics. She looks at how addressing social determinants of health within clinical settings can improve patient outcomes.
Maxwell Akonde graduates this month with the Graduate International Student Achievement Award, Outstanding Epidemiology Doctoral Student Award, and Excellence in Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Research and Practice Award.
Batesburg-Leesville, SC native Laura Torres graduates this month with a degree in public health. The Gamecock Guarantee scholar found a home with the TRIO program, Lunes Latino and Kappa Delta Chi Sorority.
During her time in the Ph.D. in Epidemiology program, Xuanxuan Zhu zeroed in on maternal and child health, developing research interests in pediatric epidemiology and physical activity epidemiology.
Having worked with diverse populations, Nadia Sabeh Ayon has determined that her calling is to treat adults in acute care settings. She is particularly interested in swallowing and voice disorders and enjoys working with patients who have aphasia, stuttering and selective mutism.
After graduating this month, Lemir Lira plans to specialize in orthopedics and become a Physical Therapy Officer in the U.S. Army to serve the military members who sacrifice so much and work tirelessly to keep the country safe.
Kinsey Brantley will launch her career as a physical therapist at McLeod Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Cheraw, returning to Chesterfield County to serve her rural hometown community.
Working in the Sport Science Laboratory, the Ph.D. in Exercise Science candidate conducted research for several Department of Defense- and industry-funded projects - amassing extensive hands-on training in various laboratory techniques.
M.S. in Epidemiology student Paige Jones believes that her coursework and work experiences have prepared her for positions in a research lab, health department or hospital settings.
As an undergraduate research assistant in the Nolan Lab of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Titi Abiodun became even more passionate about using science to improve public health.
Anika Nair She graduates this month with Leadership Distinction in Research and is the recipient of the USC Outstanding Senior and President's Awards. She is planning a career in pediatric medicine.
At the Arnold School, Bryan Wolf became passionate about understanding health on a macro scale, including the nuances of health care systems and developing cultural competence. He served as an ambassador for the school and found several mentors and ways to give back.
As members of the United States Air Force, Darby Mihelich's parents inspired her to pursue a career as a public health officer in the military branch that had become a second home to them all.
Emily Barros will spend the summer as a fellow in the Diversity in Addiction Training Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she will focus on tobacco use research and obtain her medical Spanish interpreter's license.
Knowing that she wanted to address inequities both in the U.S. and globally, Anusha Ghosh selected public health and Spanish has the concentration areas for her BARSC-MD (Accelerated Undergraduate to MD Program) at the South Carolina Honors College.
With an acceptance into the University of North Carolina School of Law, Hayley Mason plans to focus on the impact of health policy on health outcomes - eventually at the national and international level.
During her Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior program, Emily Hackworth's research has focused on factors that predict nicotine use, including mental health, gender identity and risk perceptions.
After graduating with Leadership Distinction in Community Service and the Outstanding Senior Award in May, Allie McDermott will gain additional experience as a research coordinator for the Rubin Lab at the University of Chicago before applying to medical school.
Shanikque Barksdale graduates in May with six peer-reviewed publications to her name. With interests in maternal and child health, telehealth and rural health, she is perfectly positioned in her role at DHEC to continue making an impact in these areas.
After spending a gap year in Ghana, public health major Tyson Ansani will attend medical school. Volunteering at the Columbia Free Medical Clinic and a medical mission trip to Guatemala have opened his eyes to the health disparities he'd like to address.
Public health gradaute Jaimeen Shah is heading to medical school this fall. He says that health policy internships, public health classes and a welcoming university community have given him a passion for community-based advocacy.
As a student in the Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Madison Paternostro developed an interest in clinical operations within health systems - particularly at outpatient facilities where patients receive most of their care.
Greenville, South Carolina native Lauren McAbee loved her experience in the B.S. in Public Health program so continuing at the Arnold School for her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology degree was an easy decision.
After graduating in May, Professional Athletic Training Student Above and Beyond Award winner Kimberly Nardi will begin working with professional and collegiate athletes at a performance-based sports complex in Georgia.
During her Ph.D. in Health Services Policy and Management program, Dakshu Jindal gained research experience as a graduate assistant on projects within her department and at the Center for Community Health Alignment.