2024-2025 TIPH Ambassadors: Rutgers School of Public Health Students Champion Public Health Advocacy
Highlighting two remarkable Rutgers School of Public Health students who are part of the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health’s (ASPPH) 2024-2025 This Is Public Health (TIPH) Ambassador Cohort, we’re excited to recognize their contributions to advancing public health.
Since 2017, TIPH Ambassadors have been central to ASPPH’s mission, sharing their journeys and dedication to public health to inspire others toward this impactful field. Handpicked by their institutions, TIPH Ambassadors play a unique role in elevating public health education and awareness, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the profession.
FNU Neha and Jenna DeSimone, both current Master of Public Health (MPH) students at the Rutgers School of Public Health, share their insights and dedication to advancing public health as TIPH Ambassadors.
FNU Neha
About Neha: My name is Neha. I am a second-year MPH student from India, and while my full name is Neha (with FNU standing for First Name Unknown), I prefer to simply be called Neha.
My academic background is in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, and I am a licensed Ayurvedic doctor. Through my work treating patients, I developed a strong interest in public health, particularly in community engagement and raising awareness. This led me to pursue an MPH in India, where I conducted qualitative research on depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in my hometown. This experience fueled my passion for mental health, driving me to further explore this field.
I chose to continue my education in the United States due to its high educational standards and the opportunity to access advanced technologies and resources. My long-term goal is to use my knowledge and experience to raise awareness about mental health in India and work towards reducing the stigma surrounding this crucial issue.
I am a passionate dancer, trained in the classical Indian dance form Bharatnatyam, with a love for belly dancing as well. Dance is truly one of my greatest passions. I am also an avid pet lover, with three cats back home—Scooby, Ruby, and Panda. Cooking, especially baking, is another favorite hobby of mine, and I enjoy expressing my creativity through painting. As a social butterfly, I am always eager to meet new people and engage in meaningful conversations.
TIPH Ambassador Experience: As a TIPH Ambassador, my role is to serve as a champion of public health education, helping to inspire and guide the next generation of students toward a passion for public health. I am excited to engage in various activities that align with this mission, such as participating in recruitment events, creating impactful content for Public Health Month, and collaborating on projects.
One specific event I am looking forward to is a social media takeover on October 19 and 20, where I will be partnering with a fellow ambassador to discuss the importance of sleep and its link to mental health.
This topic is particularly close to my heart, given my passion for mental health research, and I am eager to raise awareness and share valuable insights on this crucial issue.
I’m also excited about the networking opportunities this role offers, as they will allow me to connect with like-minded peers and professionals. Through these experiences, I hope to make a meaningful impact by raising awareness about public health and encouraging others to pursue this vital field.
Neha's TIPH Ambassador Campaigns:
Jenna DeSimone
About Jenna: My name is Jenna DeSimone, and I am currently pursuing an MPH in Epidemiology. During my undergraduate studies at Rutgers University Honors College, I participated in the accelerated BS/MPH program, earning a BS in Public Health, a minor in Psychology, a certificate in Global Health and Health Policy, and 18 graduate credits.
I have a strong passion for biostatistics and data analysis, which drives me to seek opportunities where I can apply these skills to make a meaningful impact. Currently, I intern at the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences at Rutgers Cooperative Extension, where we’re evaluating the healthfulness of corner store environments in New Jersey. In partnership with The Food Trust, we’re assessing the effects of various interventions to improve these stores and foster healthier food environments.
With a strong dedication to enhancing public health, I aspire to work as a data analyst with a focus on infectious diseases at the CDC.
TIPH Ambassador Experience: During the upcoming year, I will be working as an ambassador for the TIPH campaign. This campaign, organized by ASPPH, aims to promote public health awareness.
After living through a global pandemic, it became apparent that public health education is a necessity in day-to-day life. As an ambassador for the TIPH campaign, I am hoping to offer the public health education I wish I had at the start of the pandemic.
Using the TIPH social media platforms, I will be working on a campaign to promote Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Additionally, as an ambassador I will be working to organize a personal project that will aim to spread awareness regarding female reproductive health. With both professional and personal motivation for these projects, I am eager to begin the changes the world desperately needs.
Jenna's TIPH Ambassador Campaigns:
