Graduate Student Council
Represent your fellow graduate students
The College of Health Graduate Student Council (GSC) is a group of graduate student representatives from each of the college’s disciplines who serve as liaisons between the college’s graduate students and administration.
Contact
Graduate students may reach out to the Graduate Program Manager or MPH Administrative Director with any needs to help the college leadership identify areas of priority to support graduate students.
Goals
The goals of the Graduate Student Council are:
- To increase networking and career development opportunities for COH students
- Streamline communication between the student body and the COH administration, and
- To support an inclusive environment for all graduate students in our college.
Nominations
Council members are chosen by their peers, faculty or program directors in each graduate academic discipline and serve for the duration of one or two academic years. One representative is selected for each graduate discipline within the college. Programs can determine their own process of electing or selecting representatives.
Featured members
Allen Chan, MS
Allen's research focuses on approaching occupational health and safety questions or problems from a Total Worker Health (TWH) perspective.
TWH recognizes that work is a social determinant of health and that the health and safety of workers is also tied to their well-being, both within and outside of the workplace.
Additionally, he's interested in taking that TWH approach when looking at vulnerable populations of workers to protect their health, ensure their safety, and safeguard their well-being.
Mehwish Dawood
Mehwish, a doctoral student in the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) program, brings a strong background in Clinical Psychology from Pakistan. Her research focuses on the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health outcomes in children, adolescents, and their families.
She is committed to studying resilience in vulnerable populations and works collaboratively with communities to enhance mental well-being through targeted programs and interventions.
As a representative on the College of Health Graduate Student Council, Mehwish strives to create a collaborative and supportive environment for her fellow graduate students. She actively advocates for student interests and concerns, ensuring their voices reach faculty and administration. Through her work with council members, she helps plan events and initiatives. Mehwish remains dedicated to amplifying graduate student perspectives, ensuring they are both heard and valued.
Maadhanki "Maddie" Kasimanickam, MPH
Maadhanki "Maddie" Kasimanickam is a public health doctoral student studying global health. She is originally from Washington but relocated to Corvallis a few years ago to pursue an MPH at OSU. Her research interests include addressing food insecurity through policy and program evaluation.
As a representative of the College of Health Graduate Student Council, Maddie is committed to cultivating a collaborative and supportive atmosphere for her fellow graduate students.
In her role, Maddie actively collaborates with faculty and administration, seeking to bridge the gap between students and decision-makers, and fostering a cohesive community that empowers individuals to excel academically and personally. She strives to champion the voice of every graduate student, ensuring that their perspectives are heard and valued.
Geethika Koneru, MD, MPH
Geethika is a PhD student in Health Promotion and Health Behavior. She earned her MD in Social and Preventive Medicine in India and later completed her MPH at Johns Hopkins University, where she majored in Child and Adolescent Health and earned a certificate in Health Communication.
She is passionate about integrating arts and science to foster connections and encourage interdisciplinary problem-solving. In her free time, she enjoys writing fantasy stories, hiking, and taking long walks around campus.
Currently, Geethika's research focuses on developing social support systems to reduce loneliness and enhance the quality of life for youth with chronic health conditions. She is enthusiastic about exploring innovative methods to teach health and research-related topics in engaging ways.
Shoborose Tantray
I am Dr. Shoborose Tantray, a maxillofacial pathologist and forensic odontologist with five years of experience as an assistant professor at a medical college in India. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a passion for advancing healthcare and conducting research, particularly in the field of oral and maxillofacial cancers. In the past year, I have focused my research on salivary metabolites associated with these cancers and their precursors, working to discover critical insights that could lead to earlier detection and improved treatment options.
Health and wellness have been the cornerstone of my professional mission. I am passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and understanding the multifaceted factors that influence health outcomes. This dedication has shaped both my career choices and research focus, as I work to create meaningful impact in patient care and community health.
I am currently pursuing a public health degree at Oregon State University. I selected OSU for its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and commitment to addressing modern health challenges comprehensively. Through my studies here, I aim to develop a deeper understanding of public health principles and practices within the American context. I am particularly interested in exploring innovative approaches to health promotion and disease prevention that can be implemented across diverse settings. My objective is to apply this knowledge to enhance my contributions to public health and create positive change in communities. By integrating my clinical background with public health initiatives, I aspire to contribute to a healthier future for all.