Meet our Dean's Scholars

The Dean’s Scholars Program is a prestigious program for current UB undergraduate students studying public health to be offered acceptance into UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions Master of Public Health program. Students are selected for their outstanding academic achievement and our goal is to make the transition into graduate studies as seamless as possible. Dean’s Scholars are offered direct acceptance into UB’s MPH program with no application or fees required. In addition to this seamless acceptance, Scholars are offered a stipend to be used towards the cost of attendance. The Program offers a unique and seamless path for Scholars to continue their academic career and complete their graduate studies. 

Hi, my name is Derek Bowen. I recently earned my Bachelor of Public Health from the University at Buffalo, during which I served my community as an interior fireman and fire captain with the Patchin Fire Company, and as an EMS lieutenant with the Boston Emergency Squad. These experiences gave me first-hand exposure to the challenges rural communities face when access to healthcare and emergency services are limited. 

Motivated to address these gaps, I chose to pursue a career in public health. When I was offered admission as a Dean’s Scholar into UB’s Master of Public Health program, it was an easy decision to continue my studies. I am now concentrating in epidemiology, as I believe the skills I gain through this program will allow me to measure emergency service shortcomings and advocate for sustainable, data-driven solutions. 

Alongside my graduate studies, I work as a preventive case planner at Child and Family Services, where I help prevent crises and support family reunification. I expect to complete my MPH in Fall 2026, with the ultimate goal of advancing into a role where I can advocate for and implement meaningful, long-term change in the communities I serve.

I'm Flynn Biaglow, originally from Niskayuna, NY. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University at Buffalo in December 2024. Through the Dean's Scholar Program, I transitioned directly into graduate studies and began my Master of Public Health in January 2025, concentrating in epidemiology. The support I’ve received from the School of Public Health’s faculty and administration has been invaluable.

I'm currently working as a student assistant with the New York State Department of Health in the Office of Workforce Innovation. This position complements my academic work and has given me meaningful experience in public health operations.

I’m especially interested in becoming an epidemiologist and contributing to policy development that’s driven by data and grounded in evidence. My goal is to help design strategies that respond to emerging health trends and improve outcomes across diverse communities.

Hello, my name is Courtney Calunod! I graduated from UB in 2023 with a BS in Public Health, and I am now entering my second-year of UB’s MPH program as a Dean’s Scholar, concentrating in epidemiology.

The Dean’s Scholars Program has allowed me to continue my education with minimal barriers and has successfully deepened my passion for environmental health. With courses tailored to my interests, supportive faculty and peers and collaboration with my field training coordinator, I can say my experience has been positive. I am eager to begin my field placement with the Western New York Children’s Environmental Health Center this fall and look forward to applying my skills through gaining valuable experience. I hope to continue my journey in contributing meaningful change in the field of public health!

My name is Kimberly Campos Ortiz and I am a first-generation Mexican American MPH student, with a concentration in epidemiology. I like that epidemiology is at the intersection of social justice, research and science. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the ways in which social determinants can create a path for disproportionate health outcomes in black and brown communities. I feel that being in this field allows me to pursue my interest in research, while also being an advocate for changes in the communities around me.

Hi, my name is Jalicia Massop and I’m from Buffalo, New York. I graduated in May 2024 with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University at Buffalo. I originally started at UB as a nursing major, but I quickly realized I wanted to make an impact on communities as a whole rather than focusing only on individual care. Graduating high school in 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, gave me a unique perspective and solidified my interest in public health as I began to learn how broad and essential the field really is.

Being selected as a Dean’s Scholar has been an incredible honor and has motivated me to continue my education and pursue my Master of Public Health rather than stopping at my bachelor’s degree. I am currently pursuing my MPH in community health and health behavior and expect to graduate in May 2026. What I value most about this program is the professors. They are not only knowledgeable but also engaging and passionate about what they teach. They explain material in a way that feels relatable and meaningful, which helps us better understand the wide scope of public health and how it connects to our future careers.

I have a strong interest in nutrition and food access, as well as health communications. I would love to find ways to share public health information with people through social media and outreach programs, such as mobile health screening vans or community-based fitness opportunities that are often free but not always widely known. Looking ahead, I plan to work in government, possibly in a local or state health department, where I can contribute to creating healthier communities through public health policy and outreach.

Hello! My name is Hannah Tipa, and I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University at Buffalo in May 2023. When I started college as a biology major, I wasn’t sure which career path I wanted to follow. I did know, however, that I had always enjoyed science. My high school biology classes, in particular, felt less like coursework and more like opportunities to explore and learn. While I knew I wanted to make an impact on health care, I recognized that a clinical path wasn’t the right fit for me. In my sophomore year, I enrolled in an introductory public health course, which completely shifted my perspective. I found myself drawn to the idea of focusing on prevention and population health which solidified my passion for the field. Following graduation, I was honored to receive the Dean’s Scholarship and returned to UB to pursue my Master of Public Health, with plans to graduate in May 2026. Taking my education to the next level at UB has been one of the clearest and most rewarding decisions I’ve made for my career.

For the past few years, I’ve worked at the state health department, an experience that has been both eye-opening and deeply motivating. UB has nurtured my passion for public health and prepared me to become a leader in the field, dedicated to driving sustainable change for the well-being of our communities. Now, I’m eager to broaden my focus and work toward creating a global impact—and I’m confident that my education and experiences at UB have equipped me to do just that.

Hi! My name is Mia Zegarra, and I am from Queens, NY. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University at Buffalo in 2024. I was lucky enough to find my interest in public health from an early start which made coming to UB and choosing my major relatively easy. Growing up I always knew I wanted to work in healthcare to some degree but always figured that I would be on the more clinical side of it. As my years in Buffalo progressed, I came to appreciate the broadness of public health and realized I did not have to limit my options so quickly by choosing one path. I formed close connections with faculty and my peers, and created a community for myself where I could thrive.

Being selected as a Dean’s Scholar in the Fall before my graduating year made my choice to continue my education at UB simple. I already had such a strong sense of community and knew I would be continuing on with many of my friends and staff, which provided me comfort and ease. Fast forward, I am now in the final year of my Masters of Public Health program, concentrating in health services administration, and could not imagine myself anywhere else. I am currently completing my field training as an intern for the Buffalo Center for Health Equity as their program planning and development intern, which has been an amazing opportunity thus far.

The School of Public Health and Health Professions provided me with the necessary tools to continue to grow my career as I move into the workforce. I am eager and thrilled for what's to come after I graduate in May of 2026, and am confident in the change I can continue to make wherever my road takes me!