Undergraduate Ambassadors play an important role in representing the College of Public Health. Whether engaging with alumni, community leaders and parents at events, connecting with peers on campus, or welcoming prospective students, our ambassadors showcase what it means to be a CPH student. They’re passionate about public health and strive to advance the health of all. If you would like to learn more about how you can become an Undergraduate Student Ambassador, check out our CPH Student Organizations.
Meet the Ambassadors
Anita-Kay Brown
Health Promotion
[email protected]
Hi! My name is Anita-Kay Brown and I am a 3rd-year Health Promotion major. I grew up in Marietta, Georgia. After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a career in Pediatric Nursing and later become a nurse anesthetist (CRNA). I find public health important because it helps me understand how to care for people not just individually, but as part of a larger community. Understanding how health issues affect different populations prepares me to give better, more informed care. The College of Public Health teaches me about prevention and policy, helping me advocate for changes that make healthcare fairer and more accessible for everyone. I’m so excited to start a new chapter and share this passion with you!
Srihitha Chakilam
Health Promotion/ Health Services
[email protected]
Hi everyone! My name is Srihitha Chakilam, and I’m a fourth-year student majoring in Health Promotion with an emphasis in Health Services and a minor in Health Policy & Management from Suwanee, GA. Public Health has been a huge part of my life since high school, and I’ve always felt inspired by the sense of community it brings. I’m especially passionate about maternal health and promoting health education and equity in underserved communities. UGA has so many amazing opportunities for students in Public Health, and I’m excited to be part of it as an ambassador this year. Feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect!
Cara DeJesus
Environmental Health
Cara.DeJesus@uga.edu
Hi! My name is Cara DeJesus and I am a third year Environmental Health major with a certificate in Sustainability and minor in Disaster Management from Fairfax, Virginia. I am pursuing a MPH with an emphasis in Epidemiology. I am passionate about building sustainable communities to promote the health of people and the environment. After grad school, I hope to work in environmental epidemiology to curate solutions for climate change challenges impacting human health. I have found an amazing community of students and professors in the College of Public Health, and I can’t wait to welcome you into it!
Toluwa Ekundayo
Health Promotion
[email protected]
Hi! My name is Toluwa Ekundayo, and I’m from Columbus, GA. I’m a third-year Health Promotion and Behavior major with a minor in Global Health. I chose this major because of its interdisciplinary nature, combining behavioral science, health education, and policy. I’m passionate about pursuing a career in medicine that goes beyond treating illnesses to addressing their root causes through prevention and education. I plan to become a preventive medicine physician and integrate clinical care with public health policy to improve health literacy, expand access to preventive care, and reduce chronic disease disparities in marginalized communities. Feel free to reach out!
Dione Geiling
Health Promotion/ MPH Double Dawg
[email protected]
Hi, my name is Dione Geiling! I am a fourth year Health Promotion major from Forsyth, GA. I am currently pursuing a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology through UGA’s Double Dawgs program. I have developed a strong interest in healthcare consulting, data analytics, and healthcare administration. My academic journey has been both intellectually and personally fulfilling. I am grateful for my time in CPH and for the opportunity to build lasting friendships and develop close relationships with my professors. I am excited to serve in my third and final year as an ambassador for the College of Public Health!
Riley Hughes
Environmental Health
[email protected]
Hi! My name is Riley Hughes, and I am from Acworth, GA. I am a 4th-year Health Promotion major with minors in Health Policy and Management, Gerontology, and Global Health. The College of Public Health has enabled me to explore various fields in the healthcare world, while equipping me with the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful difference in the world. Coming from a small high school, I have thrived in the small class sizes that allowed me to get to know my professors and classmates. Outside of my classes and being a CPH ambassador, I work as a Student Assistant at the Registrar’s Office and volunteer with ESP in Athens. After graduation, I plan to either enter the field of healthcare management or pursue my master’s in nursing. Feel free to reach out with any questions about the College of Public Health or UGA. GO DAWGS!
Aadya Katta
Public Health Minor
[email protected]
My name is Aadya Katta, and I am a 4th year student minoring in Public Health and Spanish from Marietta, GA. After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I plan to apply to medical school. I love the public health field because it allows for meaningful contributions to the well-being of society by combining research, community engagement, and policy-making to create healthier futures for us all. Outside of the College of Public Health, I am passionate about undergraduate research, volunteering at the Athens Free Clinic and Piedmont, and Kesem!
Julia Masino 
Health Promotion
[email protected]
Hello! My name is Julia Masino and I was born and raised in Suwanee GA. I’m a senior here at UGA, who transferred last spring from Augusta University to join the inviting community within the College of Public Health. I’m majoring in Health Promotion with a minor in Global Health, driven by a strong belief that prevention, education, and healthy lifestyle choices are the foundation of longevity. From the moment I arrived, the CPH faculty and staff were intentional, welcoming, and eager to help me get involved in clubs and programs that align with my passions. While I may not yet know exactly where my career will take me, I’m confident that choosing this program was the most affirming decision I’ve ever made.
Taylor McDonald
Health Promotion
[email protected]
Hi! My name is Taylor McDonald, and I am a fourth year Health Promotion student with an emphasis in Health Services and a minor in Global Health from Woodstock, GA. Being a Health Promotion major has allowed me to deepen my understanding and passion for public health and the creation of healthy communities. I have thrived in the close-knit community of the college of public health and have enjoyed the small class sizes that allow me to get to know my classmates and professors alike. Outside of my classes and being a CPH ambassador I enjoy volunteering in the local Athens community at places like ESP and at a medical clinic back home. After graduating from UGA I plan to attend PA school and hopefully work in pediatrics. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions about the College of Public Health or just UGA and Athens in general! I am happy to help and would love to meet all your smiling faces. GO DAWGS!!
Ariana Miah
Health Promotion
[email protected]
Hi! My name is Ariana Miah. I’m a third-year student majoring in Health Promotion with a Behavioral Medicine emphasis and a minor in Chemistry on the pre-dental track. I’m Bengali, from Atlanta, GA, and originally from Michigan. I’ve found a home in the College of Public Health, and I can’t wait for you to feel the same. I am passionate about public health because it will allow me to approach healthcare from a people-focused lens. My goal is to apply to dental school and become a knowledgeable healthcare provider who can educate and minimize oral health disparities in underserved communities. Outside of being an ambassador, I am also a painter, a Resident Assistant, chair for Dental Minority Dawgs, and involved in research. If you have any questions about CPH or anything I’ve mentioned, please feel free to reach out to me. Welcome to public health.
Margaret Mueller
Health Promotion
[email protected]
Hi! My name is Margaret Mueller, and I am a 4th year Health Promotion major with a minor in Global Health from Cumming, GA. As I began my college career, I really struggled with finding a major that was able to fit all of my different interests that also allowed me to connect with communities and make a real impact in people’s lives. I fell in love with Health Promotion and Public Health because of its interdisciplinary nature, combining scientific research, global perspectives, policy, community involvement, and more into a field that is focuses on creating meaningful change to enhance individual and community well-being. I am also involved with volunteering at organizations in Athens and Cumming, including Campus Kitchen, and participating in on-campus clubs. I am always here to help!
Bridget Perez
Health Promotion
[email protected]
Hey there! I’m Bridget Perez, from Gainesville, GA. Currently, I’m in my 3rd year of studying Health Promotion with a focus on Health Services, and a minor in Global Health. My goal is to attend PA school and serve medically underserved communities, in emergency medicine and do medical mission trips. Within this major, I have developed a bigger hunger to be an advocate for people with little to no voice in their health aspect of life. My experience with H4H (Heart for Homeless) has opened my eyes to how important blood pressure and mental health screenings can be to someone’s life, as well as the free non-profit clinics that serve our communities. Meeting people where they are at is life changing, Butterfly Dream Farm has clearly shown me that, where we make things accessible to riders with disabilities. Through these major classes and experiences and future career goals, I will strive to make a positive impact to these underserved communities. If you have any questions please reach out, I would love to talk with you!
Adam Rose
Health Promotion
[email protected]
Hi! My name is Adam Rose, and I’m from New London, NH. I’m a senior majoring in Health Promotion with minors in Global Health and Healthcare Management. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I plan to pursue a Master’s in Infectious Disease Epidemiology. I have a strong passion for infectious diseases and have spent the past three years conducting laboratory research on a variety of pathogens. My work has earned me both the CURO Research Award and Summer Research Fellowship, and I’ve had the opportunity to present my research internationally. What I enjoy most about public health is its interdisciplinary nature, as it combines science, policy, and humanities to address complex challenges. Outside of CPH, I’m the co-founder and vice president of the Clean Athens Collective, an environmental health club that organizes trash cleanups across Athens. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the major or getting involved in research at UGA!
McKenna Travis
Health Promotion
[email protected]
Hi! I’m McKenna Travis, a 3rd-year Health Promotion major with a Behavioral Medicine emphasis from Saco, ME. After graduation, I plan to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatrics. Health Promotion has been the perfect fit, allowing me to complete my pre-med requirements while gaining a broader understanding of community health. The College of Public Health’s small classes, supportive faculty, and close-knit community have truly enriched my experience at UGA. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
Tianna Truong
Environmental Health
[email protected]
Hi hello! My name is Tianna Truong, and I am a 4th year majoring in Environmental Health Science and minoring in global health. I am from Lawrenceville, Georgia, and have always had a passion for public health and it’s ties to the environment. As a College of Public Health ambassador, I’m excited to share resources, swap stories, and I can’t wait to help you navigate your journey here at UGA and beyond.
Fiona Welsford 
Health Promotion / Health Services
[email protected]
Hi! My name is Fiona Welsford and I am from Greensboro, NC. I am an intended Health Promotion major with an emphasis on Health Services on the pre-PA track. I love the college of Public Health because of how passionate the faculty and students are and the seemingly limitless opportunities the college provides. It combines my passions of community outreach and scientific research and has classes that fit all subject interests. My time in Public Health has been a positive and rewarding journey, and I would love to see another student succeed on the same path! Please feel free to reach out!
