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School of Public Health
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ATLANTA—The Georgia State University School of Public Health celebrated outstanding students and the role that private support from Dean’s Society members and other donors plays in transforming their lives at the 2025 Celebrating Student Excellence Ceremony.
Dean Rodney Lyn with the 2025 Celebrating Student Excellence recipients
“Each of our extraordinary students had a unique path that brought them to Georgia State, but they did not walk that path alone,” said Dean Rodney Lyn. “They were supported by family, friends, faculty, staff and in many cases scholarships that are helping them achieve their academic goals and positioning them for careers that serve humanity.”
The 2025 Student Excellence Award winners are listed below:
Undergraduate Public Health Achievement Award: Ifunanyachukwu Onyemaobi
Onyemaobi has not only earned top grades while in the SPH's Accelerated 4+1 Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health program, but also demonstrates an unwavering commitment to community service. Through her impactful work with GSU’s Honors College, Housing and African Student Association, she exemplifies the true spirit of leadership and dedication.
Master of Public Health Achievement Award: Larry Mason
Mason works as a Graduate Research Assistant for Associate Professor Claire Spears assisting in the Mindful Living Lab. His research contributions played a pivotal role in an NIH-funded clinical trial focused on smoking cessation and mindfulness. Mason is passionate about addressing health disparities among African American communities, promoting reproductive health and addressing high maternal mortality rates. Mason has been accepted into the School of Public Health’s Ph.D. program for 2025.
Ph.D. in Public Health Achievement Award: Nyla Flowers
Flowers is a Second Century Initiative Fellow and an NIH T32 Fellow in the A-PREVENT training program in the National Center for Sexual Violence Prevention. She uses her passion for applied research to focus on improving health outcomes for African American women and women at-risk for intimate partner violence. Her efforts played a pivotal role in securing a $4.2 million CDC Injury Control Research Center grant through close collaboration with partners at Emory University’s Injury Prevention Research Center. She has authored nine peer-reviewed publications on topics ranging from sexual health education to chronic disease management. Last year her dissertation was awarded an Internal Dissertation Grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Doctor of Public Health Achievement Award: Nancy Andrade
Andrade consistently impresses her instructors with in-depth insights and sophisticated analyses. Her dedication to excellence shines through all her collaborative efforts, and her contributions extend beyond the classroom. She developed an intervention plan in one of her courses that was used by the Fulton County Health Department to inform their programming. Additionally, her analysis of environmental justice policies in a community-based participatory research course helped secure grant funding. Her work with the CDC during her Applied Practice Experience resulted in multiple dissemination products, including a digital story map that will continue to be developed.
Diane Caves Memorial Award: Daya Hernandez
Hernandez has an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families through public health research. She has made significant contributions in her work with both the National SafeCare Training and Research Center and the National Center on Child Trafficking. Hernandez further contributed to a National Cancer Institute grant focused on reducing secondhand smoke exposure for children and mitigating child maltreatment risks for parents. Her work with Spanish-speaking parents on the NCI grant, where she managed and conducted all parent assessments for those who preferred to complete the interview in Spanish, highlights her dedication and cultural competency.
2025 scholarship recipients are listed below:
Judith Ottoson Scholarship: Adetayo Adesina
Kreuter Katz Family Scholarship: Evelyn Ariceaga, Solomon Tsegaw
SPH Future Leaders Endowed Scholarship: Lamiya Beeks, Julianna Capobianco
Women’s Philanthropy Network Scholarship in Public Health in Honor of President Becker: Muna Decka, Yasminah Lontae, Ke'Mera Richards
School of Public Health Endowed Scholarship: Nadirah Robinson
Scott to State Scholarship: Kayla Davis
Board of Advisors Endowed Scholarship: Aissatou Diallo
2025 Applied Practice Award winners are listed below:
Applied Practice Experience Preceptor of the Year Award: Jasmynne Blacks
Applied Practice Experience Site of the Year Award: Diabetes You Can Win Foundation
For more information about the award recipients, visit https://publichealth.gsu.edu/student-awards-scholarships/