ABOUT THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH LEADERS

Marisa is a MPH student in the International Health and Sustainable Development department, with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. After getting her undergrad degree in Community Health she worked as a Community Health Educator at a hospital in Maryland where she helped lead community vaccine events, health fairs, workshops, and mobile health clinics. Wanting to get a better understanding of the overarching socio-ecological factors that impact health, particularly within a global framework, she decided to get her MPH here at Tulane.

She was drawn to the IHSD program because she feels aligned with the Department’s philosophy that everyone has the right to live a healthy life regardless of place and circumstance. She wants to learn best practices when it comes to sustainable health solutions in resource constrained settings. She is interested in the intersection between climate change and women’s health. She is currently working on research related to water insecurity, and the sexual and reproductive healthcare of vulnerable populations in the Gulf South.

Outside of school, Marisa enjoys taking dance classes and cooking with her roommates. She’s an avid reader and spends a lot of time at her local library. Marisa feels best when she’s out in nature, so she’s had fun exploring the many parks and green spaces in New Orleans.

Shamiso is originally from a small town right outside of Dallas called Little Elm, Texas. She is also a recent Tulane graduate, and is in her 1st full year in her MPH program. Her concentration is in Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences with a specialization in Maternal and Child Health. During undergrad, she was heavily involved in the Newcomb Institute Reproductive Rights Internship, an undergraduate research assistant for nolaHYPE, and a former REACH intern. As of right now, she is currently a graduate student research assistant alongside working with CEMCH.

Shamiso attended Tulane for her undergraduate studies and received a B.S. in Neuroscience, so she knew Tulane’s strong public health presence would be a great fit. Additionally, she really appreciated how much the university valued community service and engagement. She believes that to make a meaningful difference in our communities, we must not only listen to community members but also immerse ourselves in those same spaces.

In terms of Maternal and Child Health (MCH), there are only about 13 Centers of Excellence nationwide, and Tulane’s robust program is dedicated to building and refining the MCH workforce which is something that further solidified her interest! She is interested in research regarding menopause and endometriosis. More recently, she found an interest in obstetric violence and how/why birthing experiences differ across demographics, and looking into more effective and safer birthing interventions to address the issue of maternal mortality in developed countries like the United States.

Outside of school, she likes to do a little bit of everything creative, such as painting, sculpting, crocheting, and, more recently, writing. As a former student-athlete, working out is a part of her daily routine as well. Even though she’s lived in this city for going on 5 years, she still loves exploring new places either by herself or with her friends. Shamiso’s favorite thing to do in New Orleans is to go to the second lines, specifically Super Sunday right after Mardi Gras! Her favorite places to eat would probably have to be Tia Marias or Lil Dizzy’s.

Chloe is an MPH student in the Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences where she focuses on health equity and community-based interventions across the lifespan. Before coming to Tulane, she was a community development program manager for the Arkansas Arts Council, where she led outreach efforts to connect rural and marginalized communities with arts and culture resources. She earned her BA in sociology and anthropology at Hendrix College, and then served a year with AmeriCorps in her hometown of Little Rock, AR. Through AmeriCorps, she managed a community garden in an elementary school to educate students about growing their own food, increase their access to fresh produce, and lead culturally responsive nutrition education programming.

She chose Tulane for its strong reputation in public health and its global network of faculty, alumni, and community partners. The university’s commitment to health equity and interdisciplinary collaboration aligns with her values and career goals. She’s always loved New Orleans, and Tulane was her top choice when I decided to pursue an MPH.

Within maternal and child health, Chloe is especially interested in early childhood development and the social determinants that contribute to adverse childhood experiences, such as food insecurity and poverty. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of child health with education systems, policy, and advocacy. After graduation, she hopes to work on community-based initiatives that promote equitable access to resources and support for families.

Outside of school, she enjoys exploring New Orleans and volunteering with local organizations. The city’s vibrant and diverse culture offers endless opportunities to learn, connect, and give back. Whether it’s attending a neighborhood event or supporting a local nonprofit, she loves being part of the energy that makes New Orleans so special.

One of her favorite weekend activities is visiting the Crescent City Farmers Market in City Park on Sundays. She loves stocking up on fresh produce, grabbing a pupusa and an iced coffee, and soaking in the atmosphere. It’s a great way to support local businesses and connect with the community.

Treasure is an MPH student in the Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences department with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. She grew up in Long Beach, CA but she have been living in New Orleans since she started undergrad at Tulane in 2021. During undergrad, she found my passion for public health, specifically for maternal and child health and reproductive health and justice. She was a Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Health intern through Newcomb Institute where she interned for Saul’s Light, an advocacy organization in New Orleans that supports NICU babies and bereaved families. Currently, she is involved in research and projects about justice-involved women and children at the intersection of maternal and child health and sexual and reproductive health. In the near future, she also aspires to become a doula and a lactation consultant. Overall, she is passionate about improving health outcomes for marginalized communities, especially for Black birthing people and their families. 

A few of her hobbies include dancing, reading, and listening to music. She enjoys taking dance classes at different studios in the city and learning new styles. She also loves exploring New Orleans and finding new spots for food, live music, art, and community.

Her favorite thing about New Orleans is the community. New Orleans has become her second home because of the meaningful relationships  built with locals, as well as students and faculty here at Tulane. She admires the culture, pride, and authenticity that New Orleanians have and I will forever cherish the memories made here.

Genesis is a Master’s of Public Health student with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. Genesis plans to continue her education to address health inequities that increase the disparities seen for Black birthing people and their families.

Madison Jones, BA, chose Tulane University because it was the first institution in the U.S. to establish a dedicated School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She was drawn to New Orleans and this program as a foundation for understanding how to care for people as a whole, particularly in a city rich with history and culture. Being near the former Charity Hospital serves as a constant reminder of the growth needed in public health.

Madison’s career goals center around maternal and child health (MCH), with a strong desire to work with the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Ultimately, her dream is to open MCH clinics in maternity care deserts across the United States, ensuring that all women have access to proper prenatal, postnatal, and family support.

Outside of her studies, Madison enjoys reading, cooking, baking, and shopping. She is also learning to appreciate the process of assembling furniture and creating her own safe space. She finds joy in running in the mornings, exploring new foods, and immersing herself in the rich culture and history that New Orleans has to offer.

Brina Salazar chose to pursue her MPH at Tulane’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine because of her deep connection to both Tulane and New Orleans. In May 2024, she earned a BSPH and a BS from Tulane University and realized she wasn’t ready to leave. After four years in the city, she saw staying for her graduate studies as the perfect opportunity to continue exploring its rich culture while furthering her dedication to public health.

Her passion for maternal and child health (MCH) centers on maternal mortality. She has been actively involved with SHERO NOLA, a local nonprofit working to combat the Black maternal mortality crisis in New Orleans. With her MPH, Brina hopes to continue working with the NOLA community to make a meaningful impact on MCH outcomes.

Outside of school, Brina is a dancer, photographer, and proud cat mom. With over a decade of dance experience—including pointe, jazz, and tap—she now helps lead Tulane’s K-pop dance crew, MeeT U, where she and her crew learn and perform K-pop dance covers. She also runs her own photography business, specializing in headshots, graduation photos, and family portraits, finding joy in capturing special moments through her lens. Her cats, Cookie Dough and Jupiter, have been her steady companions throughout her studies.

Kennedy is a second year MPH student, with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health, in the Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences department. She attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Kennedy is very active both on and off campus. She is the President of the Student Government Association, an Admissions Ambassador, a This is Public Health Ambassador, and a Trauma Research Assistant at University Medical Center.

Tulane has always been a prominent name for Kennedy given that I grew up in New Orleans. She has many friends who went to or is currently at Tulane. Kennedy was unaware of the School of Public Health, but she was told about it by her faculty advisor and how her undergrad school had a partnership for any students interesting in getting their MPH. Kennedy was already leaning towards Tulane because of their reputation, but she was especially convinced once she found that attaining a concentration in Maternal and Child Health was possible.

Kennedy is passionate about obstetric interventions, health advocacy, adverse childhood experiences, black maternal and child health and mortality, and health equity. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be in a career that allowed her to be of service to others. Kennedy is currently preparing to take the MCAT in early 2026, with the hopes of attending medical school starting in the fall of 2027. She has plans to specialize in Obstetrics and Gynecology, which greatly aligns with her interests.

When she is not in class, Kennedy enjoys going on family outings, coaching volleyball, listening to old school music, reading books of different genres, and exploring New Orleans. One of her favorite memories of New Orleans is going to the Sanger Theatre to see The Wiz with her mom, and they ended up running into some family members while there.

Nyla is an MPH student at Tulane with a concentration in maternal and child health. She received my Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Tougaloo College in Jackson, MS. At Tougaloo, she was a Jackson Heart Study Scholar, Eric Holder Public Policy Scholar, UMMC Sure Scholar, and a UCLA-Tougaloo Public Health Scholar. Her experience in all of these programs inspired her to dive deeper into the field of public health and shaped who she is as a student.

Her MCH interests include maternal and infant mortality, black maternal health, sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention and health promotion.

She was attracted to Tulane because of her love the city of New Orleans. Her favorite place in New Orleans is City Park. She and her friends have picnics, attend art markets, or visit any of the other attractions in the area. Outside of school she likes to color, shop, bake/cook, and try new restaurants.