Celebrating excellence: 2025 Population Health Honors and Awards Ceremony

On May 21, the John D. Bower School of Population Health held its 2025 Honors and Awards Ceremony and Graduation Reception, celebrating academic achievement, service, and research excellence across its programs.

Speakers from academic departments and program leadership acknowledged graduating Preventive Medicine residents, student ambassadors, committee members, and Health Policy Fellows. Ms. Brea Cole announced the incoming Student Council officers for 2025–2026: President Sachin Karki and Vice President Torrey Robinson.

Dean Thomas Dobbs presented several student awards, highlighting top academic performers, leadership contributions, and excellence in research. Among the top honors, Dr. Mengna Zhang received the John D. Bower Award, and McKing Amedari and Taylor Ward Lefler were awarded the Regions Research Award.

Graduates from the Departments of Data Science and Population Health Science were recognized, along with Dr. Kisa Harris, who completed the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Analytics. Faculty and student marshals were also named for commencement.

The ceremony concluded with the induction of eight new members into the L.C. Dorsey Research Honor Society, honoring distinguished contributions to health disparities research and community advocacy.

The School congratulates all honorees and graduates for their achievements and dedication to advancing the field of population health.

2025 SOPH Award Recipients

Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence
Emma McNeill
Aryanna Yarbrough
Brian Christman
Changhong Wen
Christopher Clark
Dr. Mark Reddington
Hunter Sylvester
Kerri Sullivan Ivey
McKing Amedari
Md Mushfiqur Rahman
Quest L. Whalen
Sabrina Alam
Sanzida Swarna
Tasnim Tabassum
Torrey Robinson
Tyus Wilson
Salit Chakma
Omar Hasan
Rahat Noor
Shamima Somi
Tasnova Malek

Scholastic Award
Aryanna Yarbrough
Brian Christman
Changhong Wen
Emma McNeill
Hunter Sylvester
Kerri Ivey
Dr. Mark Reddington
McKing Amedari
Md Mushfiqur Rahman
Omar Hasan
Quest L. Whalen
Rahat Noor
Sabrina Alam
Salit Chakma
Sanzida Swarna
Shamima Somi
Tasnim Tabassum
Tasnova Malek
Torrey Robinson
Tyus Laquon Wilson

SOPH Student Service Award
Emma McNeill
Torrey Robinson

Regions Research Award
McKing Amedari
Taylor Ward Lefler

John D. Bower Award
Dr. Mengna Zhang

Best Abstract Presentation (SOPH Research Day)
Salit Chakma

Phi Kappa Phi Inductee
Dr. Rahat Noor