Biomedical Sciences and Public Health Programs Graduate Recognition Ceremony
East Carolina Heart Institute • Friday, May 9, 2025 • 4:00 p.m.
Program of Events
- Opening Remarks
Debra Jackson, PhD
Dean, Graduate School - Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Suzanne Lazorick, MD, MPH, FAAP
Professor and Department Chair, Public Health - Keynote Speaker
Stan Meiburg, PhD
Professor of Political Science, Wake Forest University - Recognition of Graduates
Biostatistics Graduate Certificate
Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities Graduate Certificate
Public Health Foundations and Practice Graduate Certificate
Master of Public Health
Master of Biomedical Sciences
DrPH Environmental and Occupational Health
DrPH Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
PhD Biomedical Sciences - Closing Remarks
Michael Waldrum, MD, MSc, MBA
Dean, Brody School of Medicine
Stan Meiburg, PhD
Stan Meiburg serves as the Executive Director of the Andrew Sabin Center for
Environment and Sustainability at Wake Forest University.
This followed five years as the Director of Graduate Studies in Sustainability and a 39-year career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. From 2014 to 2017,
Dr. Meiburg served as EPA’s Acting Deputy Administrator, the agency’s second highest position. He also served in senior career positions as EPA’s Deputy Regional Administrator in the Southeast and South Central regions of the United States, as well as EPA offices in Research Triangle Park and in Washington, DC.
He received EPA’s Distinguished Career Service Award, EPA’s Gold Medal for his work on Clean Air Act Amendments; the Commander’s Award for Public Service from the Department of the Army; the Distinguished Federal Executive award; and the John W, Gaston Award for Excellence in Public Service Management from the American Society for Public Administration.
He served on the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission between 2017 and 2021 (Chair 2019-2021) and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
Dr. Meiburg holds a B.A. degree from Wake Forest, and masters and doctoral degrees from The Johns Hopkins University.
Student Appreciation
A special thank you goes out to our Master of Public Health students serving as
Junior Marshals and Ushers, for their assistance throughout the ceremony.
- Dy’Mon Bryant
- Chloe Cabreza
- Oliver Croom
- Brianna Hines
- Kyla Reed
- Jalesa Venning
- Alexis Walker
- Keyera Wynn
Biostatistics Graduate Certificate
Catherine Bush
Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities Graduate Certificate
Soneelia L. Barnes
Grace M. Osusky
Rose Skelly
Public Health Foundations and Practice Graduate Certificate
Sara K. Feggeler
Master of Public Health
Safana Abdullah Algutaini
Concentration: Epidemiology
MPH Professional Paper Title: Sun Exposure Safety Behaviors and Knowledge Among Adults Living in Yemen and the United States
Professional Paper Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Academic Advisor: Aaron Kipp, PhD
Amaris Avalos
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: The Association Between Peer Influence of Cigarette Smoking and E-Cigarette Usage
Professional Paper Advisor: James Clifford, PhD, MS
Academic Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Christian A. Arreguin
Concentration: Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
MPH Professional Paper Title: Effects of Evidence-Based Falls Risk-Reduction Interventions on Physical Activity and Falls Efficacy among Community-
Dwelling Older Adults in North Carolina
Professional Paper Advisor: Huabin Luo, PhD
Academic Advisor: Huabin Luo, PhD
Catherine Bush
Concentration: Epidemiology
MPH Professional Paper Title: The Association of Food Insecurity and Mental Health on Two-Month Sputum Conversion in Drug-Susceptible Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in East London, South Africa: A Prospective Cohort Study
Professional Paper Advisor: Aaron Kipp, PhD
Academic Advisor: Aaron Kipp, PhD
Margaret M. Clark
Concentration: Epidemiology
MPH Professional Paper Title: The Association Between Heavy Drinking and Urbanicity Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic Among North Carolina Adults
Professional Paper Advisor: James Clifford, PhD, MS
Academic Advisor: Aaron Kipp, PhD
Abbey D. Clayton
Concentration: Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
MPH Professional Paper Title: An Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction and Communication with Dental Office Staff
Professional Paper Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Academic Advisor: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Kimberly J. Gardner
Concentration: Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
MPH Professional Paper Title: Identifying Barriers to Healthcare Utilization Among Rural and Minority Populations: A Systematic Literature Review
Professional Paper Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Academic Advisor: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Taylor C. Gay
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: The Importance of Hearing Birthing Stories: What Surveys Don’t Tell Us
Professional Paper Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Academic Advisor: Nancy Winterbauer, PhD, MS
Jessica B. Grooms
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: The Effects of Caffeine on Sleep Duration in Adolescent Populations: A Systematic Review
Professional Paper Advisor: Suzanne Lazorick, MD, MPH
Academic Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Spencer T. Jones
Concentration: Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
MPH Professional Paper Title: Going All In: The Prevalence, Motivation, and Impacts of Gambling in Emerging Adults-A Literature Review
Professional Paper Advisor: Doyle Cummings, PharmD, FCP, FCCP
Academic Advisor: Doyle Cummings, PharmD, FCP, FCCP
Jessica R. Jordan
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: The Impact of Educating Youth on Healthy Food Access and Behaviors
Professional Paper Advisor: Stephanie Pitts, PhD
Academic Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Sandra Garcia Juarez
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: Exploring the Influence of Acculturation and Religiosity to Determine Sexual Risk Behavior Among College Students
Professional Paper Advisor: Nancy Winterbauer, PhD, MS
Academic Advisor: Stephanie Pitts, PhD
Quaid Lawler
Concentration: Epidemiology
MPH Professional Paper Title: Understanding the Potential Inhibitory Role of Surface Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles Against the Periodontal Opportunistic Bacterium, Fusobacterium Nucleatum
Professional Paper Advisor: Lok Pokhrel, PhD
Academic Advisor: C. Suzanne Lea, PhD, MPH
Jessica R. Manning
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: Mindful Discounts: Evaluating the Impact of Discounted Mindful Eating Programs on Hospital Employees’ Dietary
Choices Within the Blue Zone Framework
Professional Paper Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Academic Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Jaquel Tre McAllister
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: EA Scoping Review of Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma
Professional Paper Advisor: Stephanie Pitts, PhD
Academic Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Shardae N. McKoy
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: Cardiovascular Health and Chronic Stress: Critical Factors of Maternal Mortality Among Black Women in the U.S. – A Literature Review
Professional Paper Advisor: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Academic Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Sydney P. Morris
Concentration: Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
MPH Professional Paper Title: The Future of Nursing Homes: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Professional Paper Advisor: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Academic Advisor: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Ruvarashe Mukelabai
Concentration: Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
MPH Professional Paper Title: Parental Behaviors and Household Environments: Public Health Perspectives on Childhood Obesity Prevention
Professional Paper Advisor: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Academic Advisor: N. Ruth Little, EdD, MPH
John Will Murray
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: Droplet Characterization of Aerosolized Liquid Insecticide Based on Different Operating Conditions Inside a Wind Tunnel
Professional Paper Advisor: Sinan Sousan, PhD
Academic Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Michelle E. Navarro
Concentration: Epidemiology
MPH Professional Paper Title: Association Between PFAS Exposure and Kidney Function in the GenX Exposure Study Cohort Using Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate
Professional Paper Advisor: C. Suzanne Lea, PhD, MPH
Academic Advisor: C. Suzanne Lea, PhD, MPH
Ange E. Ndinga
Concentration: Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
MPH Professional Paper Title: Health Insurance and Heart Health: Exploring Access and Management of Cardiovascular Care Across Urban and Rural Communities in North Carolina
Professional Paper Advisor: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Academic Advisor: N. Ruth Little, EdD, MPH
Nina K. Thompson
Concentration: Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
MPH Professional Paper Title: Back to the Classroom: Analyzing the Impact of Virtual Learning on the Behavior of Children in Davie County, North Carolina
Professional Paper Advisor: M. Bianca Hall, PhD, MCHES
Academic Advisor: N. Ruth Little, EdD, MPH
Monique S. Whidbee
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: TThe Impact of Health Education on Adherence to
Medication for Hypertension in African Americans: A Systematic Review of Literature
Professional Paper Advisor: Nancy Winterbauer, PhD, MS
Academic Advisor: Nancy Winterbauer, PhD, MS
Qua’Tavia White
Concentration: Community Health and Health Behavior
MPH Professional Paper Title: An Ecologic Analysis of the Impact of Inclusive Environments and Race on Bullying and Suicidal Ideation Among LGBTQ+ Youth
Professional Paper Advisor: Aaron Kipp, PhD
Academic Advisor: Nancy Winterbauer, PhD, MS
Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Melissa A. Craemer
Concentration: Neuroscience
Dissertation Title: Effects of Pre- VS. Post-TBI Cannabidiol Treatment on Expression of Neuroinflammatory Marker IL1B in Male and Female Zebra Finches
Advisor: Ken Soderstrom, PhD
Committee Members: Morgan Milton, PhD
Jacques Robidoux, PhD
Karen Litwa, PhD
Madison M. Swyers
Concentration: Biomedical Sciences
Dissertation Title: The Effects of the Proton-Sensing G-Protein Coupled Receptors GPR4 and GPR68 on B16F10 Mouse Melanoma Growth and Responses to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Advisor: Li Yang, PhD
Committee Members: Isabelle Lemasson, PhD
Rukiyah Van Dross, PhD
Kyle Mansfield, PhD
Doctor of Public Health in Environmental and Occupational Health
Brenda L. Sharpe
Dissertation Title: Assessing Association Between PFAS Exposure, Social
Determinants of Health, and Risk Outcomes in Adolescents and Adults in the United States
Advisor: Lok Pokhrel, PhD
Committee Members: Gregory D. Kearney, DrPH, MPH
Charlie Humphrey, PhD
Qiang Wu, PhD
Eric Boakye, PhD
Linda D. Sharpe
Dissertation Title: Health Risk Assessment of Arsenic and Manganese ontamination in West Virginia’s Public Water Systems
Advisor: Lok Pokhrel, PhD
Committee Members: Gregory D. Kearney, DrPH, MPH
Sinan Sousan, PhD
Xiangming Fang, PhD
Adeolu Farohun, PhD
Doctor of Public Health in Health Policy, Administration and Leadership
Breyana D. Davis
Dissertation Title: Exploring NCCARE360’s Role in Addressing Food Insecurity: Onboarding Successes, Challenges, and Referral Outcomes Among Community-Based Organizations in the Piedmont
Advisor: Doyle Cummings, PharmD, FCP, FCCP
Committee Members: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, PhD
Huabin Luo, PhD
Christine E. Wanous
Dissertation Title: Staying on the Team: Public Health Nurse Retention and
Mentorship
Advisor: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Committee Members: N. Ruth Little, EdD, MPH
Paul Vos, PhD
Sherita Sutton, MPH, MSW, CHESS
K. Jaelyn Wynn
Dissertation Title: Exploring the Relationship Between Health Insurance Literacy
and Health Equity Among College Students: A Pilot Study
Advisor: N. Ruth Little, EdD, MPH
Committee Members: Rashmita Basu, PhD
Xiangming Fang, PhD
Crystal Moore, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, WHNP
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences
Riley N. Bessetti
Concentration: Anatomy and Cell Biology
Dissertation Title: Phytochemicals Confer Neuroprotection in Models of Contaminant-Induced Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Advisor: Karen Litwa, PhD
Committee Members: Chris Geyer, PhD
Alessandro Didonna, PhD
Jamie DeWitt, PhD
Alexander D. Hondros
Concentration: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dissertation Title: Countering Bacterial Resistance Via Inhibition of Two-
Component Systems
Advisor: John Cavanagh, PhD
Committee Members: Holly Ellis, PhD
Morgan Milton, PhD
Brandon Garcia, PhD
Hoda Jabbour
Concentration: Microbiology and Immunology
Dissertation Title: A Novel Antiviral Therapeutic Platform: Anchoring IFN-β to
the Surface of Infectious Virions Equips Interferon-Evasive Virions with Potent Antiviral Activity
Advisor: Mark Mannie, PhD
Committee Members: Akshaya Meher, PhD
Brandon Garcia, PhD
Isabelle Lemasson, PhD
Ruth Schwalbe, PhD
Felicia E. Jaimes
Concentration: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dissertation Title: The Role of Response Regulators in Gram-Negative Bacterial Resistance
Advisor: John Cavanagh, PhD
Committee Members: Holly Ellis, PhD
Morgan Milton, PhD
Brandon Garcia, PhD
Melissa Lempicki
Concentration: Microbiology and Immunology
Dissertation Title: B Cell Activating Factor and Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 as
Novel Modulators of Insulin Resistance and Glucose Utilization
Advisor: Akshaya K. Meher, PhD
Committee Members: Mark Mannie, PhD
Brandon Garcia, PhD
Michelle L. Ratliff, PhD
Nicholas T. Broskey, PhD
Maddison N. Salois
Concentration: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dissertation Title: Investigating the Molecular Defects Contributing to Skin Fragility in Two Ectodermal Dysplasias
Advisor: Russ Price, PhD
Committee Members: Tonya Zeczycki, PhD
Brian Shewchuk, PhD
Raymond Mattingly, PhD
Acacia M. White
Concentration: Pharmacology and Toxicology
Dissertation Title: Kininase I Inhibition Attenuates Angiotensin II – Induced
Hypertension and Target Organ Damage
Advisor: Srinivas Sriramula, PhD
Committee Members: Abdel Abdel-Rahman, PhD
Jacques Robidoux, PhD
Rukiyah Van Dross, PhD
Laxmansa Katwa, PhD
Additional Students Completing Their Degrees
(Not Participating in the Ceremony)
Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities Graduate Certificate
Julie Gaven
Public Health Foundations and Practice Graduate Certificate
Samuel Asabor
Robin I. Hahaj
Master of Public Health Degree
Madison Alexander
Raven C. Breinholt
Adamari Calixto-Benitez
Molly A. Heym
Steven Mouro
Lukas L. Satterfield
Brittany C. Stofford
Chaiyo Vang
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences
Md Abu Kawsar Sarker
MPH Graduates Commitment to Public Health Values
- I will strive to uphold the highest standards of public health practice and research.
- I will continually seek information to protect and enhance the public’s health.
- I will aim to ensure that the resources and conditions necessary for health are accessible to all.
- I will develop policies that protect and promote healthy social and physical environments.
- I will rely on evidence to guide public health decision-making and policy development.
- I will neither act without sufficient cause, nor delay appropriate action
in ways that endanger the public’s health. - I will focus my professional life on promoting and protecting public health, and I will weigh the impact of my actions on individual rights.
- I will endeavor to implement effective public health policies with participation and consent from the community.
- I will collaborate with individuals and community partners to build the public’s trust.
- I will be willing to make difficult or unpopular decisions to protect the public’s health.
- I will protect the confidentiality of individuals.
- I will foster diversity by respecting the values, beliefs, and cultures within the community.