The collaborative event with UC Berkeley’s Center of Excellence in Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (COE in MCAH) and University of Washington’s (UW) Epidemiology - Maternal and Child Health program(link is external) was a thought-provoking day offering deep insights into my journey towards becoming a future MCAH public health practitioner and researcher. My plan after finishing my bachelor's degree in public health is to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) and focus my studies on MCAH populations. Specifically, I want to explore adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), toxic stress and effective measures to prevent them; which stems from my personal encounters with adversities.
On April 28, 2023, the COE in MCAH and Leadership Education and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) program(link is external) welcomed a cohort of nine MPH students and one faculty member from UW’s epidemiology - maternal and child health program for a research symposium and training event. Despite its modest scale, the event provided ample chances to connect, inquire, and address the pressing concerns of MCAH communities in a more personalized setting.
The training event offered a comprehensive program consisting of faculty presentations, professional development and networking, as well as a research symposium. Dr. Daniel Enquobahrie(link is external) (Associate Professor, University of Washington) delivered a compelling lecture on the health disparities of maternal mortality and how recently released data shows that trends of maternal mortality and morbidity are worsening. While Dr. Cassondra Marshall(link is external) (Associate Director of LEAP and Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley) provided an insightful presentation on life course perspective and invited each of us to more clearly articulate how our research utilizes life course as a framework to address health equity, not just disparities. I want to give a big shout out to the COE in MCAH, LEAP, & UW students who presented during the research symposium. Their passion, dedication, and hard work made this a memorable experience for all involved. The valuable insights and research they shared has truly enlightened my future research direction.
Christina Agostino (COE in MCAH), Sonya Jampel (UW),Julia Hankin (COE in MCAH), Grace Rajan (LEAP), Beza Tadess (UW), Julia Piccirillo-Stosser (LEAP), Joel Rubio (COE in MCAH), Julie Grassian (COE in MCAH), and Faith Ngae (UW): Thank you for facilitating a profound understanding of MCAH and various research focuses, which all can be applied towards promoting health equity.
During the research symposium, a presentation titled “Abolish I.C.E.: The Consequences of Immigration Enforcement Among Latinx/e Adolescents” by Joel Rubio (expected MPH ‘24) stood out to me as a favorite. His words "so this is my story" deeply touched me, and I could relate to his emotions. As a first generation immigrant, I appreciated his willingness to share his personal story. His vulnerability and compelling statistics brought us together to be ever present and learn about each other. 
At the end of the day, we spent an enjoyable time at a restaurant close to campus. We savored an assortment of pizza, but what’s better than the food was the extended time to chat and get to know each other. The social hour brought us closer and provided the space to develop friendship. I hope to have a chance to visit the University of Washington and connect with them again in the future.
I am truly thankful to be a part of the LEAP program. It has given me the chance to gain exposure to the professional field, and as I near the end of my final year at UC Berkeley, I am grateful for all the individuals who have had a significant influence on my early career.
Angie Zhao is an undergraduate Public Health student at UC Berkeley who is a part of the LEAP class of 2024.