VUSM Student Stories

By Kyra Letsinger Headshot of Ishan Basu Ray. Since as early as the ninth grade, second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student Ishan Basu Ray has been working toward a career in health care. While peers spent summers relaxing, Basu Ray researched and shadowed in labs at some of his… Read More

Kaylee Ebner during a field research day during her practicum at Long Hunter State Park in Hermitage, TN. By Kyra Letsinger From a young age, second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student Kaylee Ebner had a passion for health and science. It wasn’t until high school, however, that she… Read More

Joshua Atura with visiting mentors and peers at World Bank in Ghana. By Kyra Letsinger Before coming to Vanderbilt, second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student Joshua Atura received his bachelor’s degree in development education from the University for Development in his hometown of Tamale, Ghana, and his master’s in… Read More

Currently in Darmstadt, Germany, MSMP student Hannah York is working to advance research in radiation therapy for pediatric brain cancer patients with the support of her VUSM community. By Kyra Letsinger Hannah York… Read More

As she approaches graduation, M4 Thao Le, Ph.D. reflects on finding her way and unlocking her passions at VUSM By Kyra Letsinger M4 MSTP student Thao Do Vy Le, Ph.D., was always ready to take risks. From a young age, when it came to new opportunities, she was not… Read More

Master of Genetic Counseling student Vanessa Smith (c/o 2025) represents VUSM through National Human Genome Research Institute program. Vanderbilt MGC student Vanessa Smith attends the ISCC-PEG annual meeting at the NIH in April 2024. Photo submitted. April 25 is National DNA Day, which the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)… Read More

M3 Gunther Wong and M4 Alison Swartz offer their peers valuable insights from their past career experiences By Kyra Letsinger In the early 2000s, former Associate Dean for Medical Student Affairs Bonnie Miller, MD, organized an unscheduled Deans’ Hour, a space in the curriculum created to provide a formal lecture… Read More

Every February, advocates and organizations from the rare diseases community meet in Washington, D.C., for Rare Disease Week. EveryLife Foundation hosts the conference that prepares attendees to meet with lawmakers and advocate for policies that impact rare diseases. This year’s Rare Disease Week resulted in 332 meetings with members of… Read More

Fourth-year couple Nina Curkovic and Sachin Aggarwal look to tackle residency together after spending their VUSM journeys side by side. By: Kyra Letsinger Nina Curkovic and Sachin Aggarwal outside EBL on the last day of their M1 year When Nina Curkovic and Sachin Aggarwal entered their first day of M1… Read More

Monce Escobar Arteaga: a young scientist making a medical career pivot After getting her undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in biology, Monserrat “Monce” Escobar Arteaga assumed she would eventually go to medical school. “As a first-generation student, going to medical school was the traditional path I… Read More