Meet Emma Mullane and Isabel Thomas, our graduate representatives bringing passion and fresh perspectives to the TSOPHE Board! Learn more about their public health journeys below.
We asked, “What are you currently studying, and what drew you to your specific area of focus within public health?”
Emma Mullane: I am currently finishing my Master of Public Health degree with a focus on health promotion and health education. I began my public health journey by studying food science and human nutrition during my undergraduate degree. Through my internship with the Clemson Health Extension Diabetes Program and my volunteer experience with the Clemson Veggie Rx Program, I quickly learned that food accessibility and affordability were pressing concerns for my fellow community members because of systemic inequities and health disparities. I then realized I wanted to be an advocate and help promote sustainable changes led by community perspectives.
Isabel Thomas: I am currently pursuing my PhD in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science at UTHealth Houston with a minor in healthcare management and a certificate in Global Health. My focus on public health is broad, with a passion for increasing access to healthcare and improving overall health outcomes in underserved communities. I started my career in public health at an area health education center (AHEC) in Southeast Georgia. From there, I worked at local and state health departments in Georgia and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. My experiences inspired me to pursue a doctorate so I can scale up my contributions to public health. My goal is to become a well-rounded public health practitioner equipped to work across diverse settings, populations, and levels of the public health system.
“What do you hope your career path will look like after graduation, and what kinds of impact would you like to make in the field of public health?”
Emma Mullane: My career goal is to make food accessible, safe, and healthy for all. I plan on becoming a food systems leader where I can advocate for change and rebuild how food is distributed. Most importantly, I want to address food insecurity at a local, national, and international level through exploring the connection between food, chronic disease, health disparities, and community health.
Isabel Thomas: After graduation, I hope to work as a health scientist at an organization like the World Health Organization. The impact I would like to have in the field of public health is to improve healthcare accessibility through effective program implementation and evaluation, with a particular focus on health equity. I aim to build a career that bridges global and local public health efforts. I am particularly interested in working in global health while maintaining a strong connection to community-based work, embracing a “think global, act local” approach.
“What motivated you to get involved with TSOPHE, and what has your experience been like serving on the board at the graduate level?”
Emma Mullane: I was motivated to become involved in TSOPHE because I attended the 2025 TSOPHE conference, and I met incredible public health professionals and students. As a graduate student new to the field of public health, I've really been able to learn from others and how they engage in meaningful public health work. It's an honor to represent graduate students across Texas!
Isabel Thomas: I was motivated to join TSOPHE by my love of health education and its significant impact on community health outcomes. Additionally, I had the chance to meet many people in the organization, and I felt like this was a community that would encourage me to be the best public health professional I could be. The organization offers a myriad of opportunities, such as webinars and networking. Since joining the board at the graduate level, I have learned the inner workings of how a non-profit operates and how it truly takes a multitude of minds to make it work. It has been an amazing opportunity!
Thanks for reading and stay connected with TSOPHE for more stories and updates!
