Student Leadership

explore the global health program
Student Leadership
The Global Health Program at Cornell University embraces and utilizes undergraduate student knowledge, lived experience, passion and commitment to sustain and strengthen programmatic partnerships, curriculum and activities. Each year, students are invited to participate in leadership positions ranging from the Global Health Student Advisory Board to program and teaching assistant positions.
Global Health Student Advisory Board (GHSAB) has served as an opportunity for me to hold on to my takeaways from my ELO and extend the same passion into my own community. GHSAB has facilitated an environment for global health scholars from different ELOs to come together and spearhead on and off-campus global health initiatives. This group stands out as a melting pot for students of various backgrounds and career paths, all threaded together with a common passion for global health.
Meet Our Student Leaders!
Meet Our Student Leaders!
Diego Burga
Major: Biological Sciences
Minor: Global Health, Anthropology, and Health Equity
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Florida
What is your role in the global health program? Teaching Assistant, Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board, and Global Health Program Assistant
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I participated in the Cornell Global Health Program in Zambia where I researched ways of understanding and mitigating lead exposure In Kabwe through the use of a one health approach.
What are your global health areas of passion? NGO-Public Sector Partnerships, One Health, and Medical Anthropology
Fun fact: I was born in Lima, Peru and hold dual-citizenship!
Makayla Durant
Major: Human Biology, Health, and Society
Minor: Global Health & Health Equity
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: Cambridge, Massachusetts
What is your role in the global health program? Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I participated in the Cornell Global Health Program in Tanzania where I researched the burden of type II diabetes. I was also given the opportunity to intern at Building a Caring Community, a center supporting children with intellectual and physical disabilities.
What are your global health areas of passion? Children’s Health, Rise of Non-Communicable Diseases
Fun fact: I love hamburgers!
Consuelo (Connie) Le
Major: Global and Public Health Sciences
Graduation Year: 2022
Hometown: Malvern, Pennsylvania
What is your role in the global health program? Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I worked with DataDent, an organization committed to strengthening and improving the nutritional data value chain. I helped qualitatively analyze national nutrition surveys in Burkina Faso and developed conceptual frameworks on predicted changes in population-level breastfeeding practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are your global health areas of passion? Infectious Disease and Vectors of Disease, Maternal Mortality, and Maternal and Infant Health
Fun fact: Both of my parents are twins (one is identical and one is fraternal), but I am an only child!
Elizabeth Madamidola
Major: Global and Public Health Sciences
Minor: Healthy Futures & German
Graduation Year: 2023
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
What is your role in the global health program? Member of Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? N/A
What are your global health areas of passion? Healthcare Design and Policy
Fun fact: I was a barista for two years!
Nico Modesti
Major: Biological Sciences
Minor: Global Health
Graduation Year: 2022
Hometown: Syracuse, New York
What is your role in the global health program? Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I worked within a virtual summer 2020 internship working with Professor Stacey Langwick on Uzima: Spaces of Nourishment, based out of Moshi, Tanzania.
What are your global health areas of passion? Medical Anthropology, Infectious Disease, and Substance Abuse Disorders
Fun fact: I have two Australian shepherds, Kinley and Leo, who are my best friends!
Malvika Narayan
Major: Global and Public Health Sciences
Minor: Health Equity & Development Sociology
Graduation Year: 2022
Hometown: South Brunswick, New Jersey
What is your role in the global health program? Teaching Assistant, Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board, and Global Health Program Assistant
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I was an intern for the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Bureau of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) where I initiated a long-term project to gather personnel data from each of the local agencies and analyze the social determinants of health affecting WIC participants. These various factors were used to determine the most pressing challenges across Pennsylvania and ultimately provide the state with the necessary information to support the local agencies in overcoming such barriers.
What are your global health areas of passion? Maternal Health and Mortality, Mental Health, and Health Equity
Fun fact: I was born at 11:10 PM on 11/10!
Eniola Oladipo
Major: Human Biology, Health, and Society
Minor: Global Health
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
What is your role in the global health program? Member of Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I was involved in developing a qualitative research study that aims to evaluate and enhance a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the diet-related health outcomes of adolescents in South Bronx, NY.
What are your global health areas of passion? Infectious Disease, Biosocial Approach to Global Health, and Healthcare Systems
Fun fact: I play the guitar!
Bunmi Osias
Major: Global and Public Health Sciences
Minor: Plant Science & Healthy Futures
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: Timonium, Maryland
What is your role in the global health program? Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I participated in the Cornell Global Health Program in Tanzania where I researched the increasing rate of perinatal mortality on the national level. I also interned at TRMEGA, an NGO that focuses on empowering most vulnerable children and women with HIV/AIDS.
What are your global health areas of passion? Medical Ethnobotany, Food Systems and Security, and Neglected Tropical Diseases
Fun fact: I like baking bread!
Aneri Patel
Major: Human Biology, Health, and Society
Minor: Global Health & Health Equity
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: Paramus, New Jersey
What is your role in the global health program? Tanzania Program Assistant and Member of Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I participated in the Cornell Global Health Program in Tanzania where I researched the increasing burden of Type II diabetes in urban Moshi. I also had the opportunity to shadow physicians in Machame Hospital, a rural hospital in the Kilimanjaro region.
What are your global health areas of passion? Sustainability, Non-Communicable Diseases, and Health Disparities in Access to Healthcare
Fun fact: I have recently become passionate about sustainable fashion and spend my free time exploring different thrift shops in the area!
Kieu Anh Phan
Major: Global and Public Health Sciences
Minor: Business
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam
What is your role in the global health program? Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I participated in the Cornell Global Health/Industrial and Labor Relations Program in India and my project was focused on diabetes. I helped to create an automated version of the Indian Diabetes Risk Score to be used in a Diabetes Screening Camp and also prepared educational materials on diabetes to distribute to the camp participants and staff at our partner organization, SVYM.
What are your global health areas of passion? Nutrition and Health Education
Fun fact: I still have a baby tooth at age 23!
Clara Rice
Major: Health Care Policy
Minor: Global Health
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: Lambertville, New Jersey
What is your role in the global health program? Zambia Program Assistant and Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I participated in the Cornell Global Health Program in Zambia in Summer 2019. My research focused on the role of nutrition professionals in the context of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases.
What are your global health areas of passion? Nutrition and Sexual and Reproductive Health
Fun fact: I have been in over three dozen musicals and plays since middle school!
Emily Sanchez
Major: Global and Public Health Sciences
Minor: Health Equity
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: West Orange, New Jersey
What is your role in the global health program? Teaching Assistant and Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I did my ELO through the Cornell Global Health Program in Moshi, Tanzania. I researched the effects of energy insecurity in health facilities and I volunteered with the Network Against Female Genital Mutilation.
What are your global health areas of passion? Sexual and Reproductive Health, Women's Health, Minority Health, Health Disparities
Fun fact: I can hula hoop for three hours without dropping it!
Jonah Schieber
Major: Global and Public Health Sciences
Minor: N/A
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
What is your role in the global health program? Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I participated in the Cornell Global Health Program in Tanzania where I researched opioid dependence and addiction. I also shadowed at Machame Hospital and viewed surgery, outreach, and inpatient care.
What are your global health areas of passion? Population Health, Infectious Disease, and Sustainable and Community Driven Global Health
Fun fact: I am afraid of heights but not spiders!
Aleah Thomas
Major: Global and Public Health Sciences
Minor: N/A
Graduation Year: 2022
Hometown: New York City, New York
What is your role in the global health program? Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? N/A
What are your global health areas of passion? Minority Health and Community Based Research and Interventions
Fun fact: I'm 5'11 and contrary to popular belief, I've never played basketball!
MacKenzie Vick
Major: Human Biology, Health, and Society
Minor: Global Health
Graduation Year: 2021
Hometown: Coto de Caza, California
What is your role in the global health program? Tanzania Program Assistant and Member of the Global Health Student Advisory Board
What did you do for your experiential learning opportunity? I participated in the Cornell Global Health Program in Tanzania where I researched the impacts of maternal mental health on mothers and neonates. I also shadowed medical professionals at Machame Hospital.
What are your global health areas of passion? Maternal and Child Health, Public Health, and Inequities in Medical Care
Fun fact: I have a golden retriever puppy and I love dogs!