Berkeley Public Health student profile: Neyousha Shahisavandi

Where are you originally from and where will you be living this fall?

I was born in Shiraz, Iran. I immigrated to Canada when I was 12 and I have been living in Halifax, Nova Scotia ever since.

What is your focus in school?

I am particularly interested in the epidemiology and biostatistics field because I was a math undergraduate and think there should be more use of mathematical modeling to solve health issues in Canada.

Why did you choose Berkeley Public Health for your degree?

Well, it is one of the best schools in the world and I also really liked the courses Berkeley offered for the MPH degree, like learning to program with R and GIS and communication tools for public health professionals.

What are you most excited to pursue this coming semester?

I am trying to get my practicum going, and I’ll hopefully volunteer at my local ER, if COVID-19 allows.

Can you tell us about any research you’ll be conducting this academic year?

I’m conducting research on medical marijuana use among cancer patients. I’m hopeful that our team picks up where they left off this fall with our research.

What would you like to do with your degree after graduation?

I want to get recruited at the Nova Scotia Health Authority, and I hope I can make a change in long ER waiting times.

How do you think UC Berkeley School of Public Health has set you up for success in your future career?

I think the courses that are offered taught me a variety of skills for my future career. Also, we study a lot of real-world cases and dilemmas and that prepares me to tackle the public health issues I will face in my future career.