For Dunia Rozakis, the path to discovering their true passion in public health was a journey marked by curiosity, exploration, and a deep commitment to helping others. Hailing from Wheeling, Illinois, and set to graduate in December 2024, Rozakis’s academic journey has been anything but ordinary.
Rozakis’s initial foray into college life did not begin with a clear vision of public health as their calling.
“Although I can’t remember exactly why, I picked up an epidemiology minor after my first semester at IUPUI (now Indiana University Indianapolis),” they recall.
It was during this time that Rozakis was introduced to the Fairbanks School of Public Health through two pivotal courses: Introduction to Public Health, and Zombie Apocalypse and Other Doomsday Infections. These classes were not only engaging but also transformative for Rozakis.
“Throughout the semester, both classes piqued my interest,” Rozakis shares, noting that they were especially captivated by professor Thomas Duszynski‘s lectures.
Duszynski’s ability to weave together the history of human encounters with disease, contextualized through evolving science and mythology, left a lasting impression on Rozakis.
“We explored the cholera epidemics of the 1800s, and it was here that my passion for public health truly ignited,” they said.
This newfound passion led them to shift their focus from biology, a major they had chosen out of a desire to help others, to public health. The decision was also influenced by the commitment, passion, and empathy they observed in the faculty and staff at Fairbanks.
“Public health revealed itself to be biological, social, and behavioral sciences blended into a single, adaptable discipline which can be used to protect and improve human health,” they explain.
Aspirations rooted in helping others
Rozakis’s career aspirations are as diverse as they are ambitious, reflecting their deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact.
“My career aspirations run the gamut from educating the next generation of public health professionals to designing and implementing community-based programs, to reviewing and advocating for policy measures that protect and promote health,” they said. While they remain open to wherever their career path might lead, Rozakis has already set their sights on several key stepping stones.
First on the list is applying to graduate programs, both in the United States and abroad, to further their foundation in public health. They plan to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and hope to work in community health programming at the local, state, or national level.
“I intend to translate my foundations in theory into real mastery of the tenets of public health,” Rozakis explains. After gaining practical experience, they aim to pursue a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) and join the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) post-doctoral fellowship program at the CDC. “Public health as a major showed me how that is possible in ways I had never considered,” Rozakis reflects, confident in the skills and knowledge they have gained.
Rozakis’s journey at Fairbanks has been enriched by a series of impactful internships and research opportunities that have deepened their understanding of public health. Their first professional experience came in May 2023 when they began their role as an Indiana Student Epidemiology Investigation Team (IN-SEIT) investigator at the Indiana Department of Health. In this role, they investigate tickborne illnesses under the supervision of the Vector Borne and Zoonotic Disease Team.
“This involves interaction with community members, healthcare providers, and public health systems from across Indiana,” they said, highlighting the importance of health communication and data analysis skills they have honed during this time.
Rozakis’s experience with the IN-SEIT program was a turning point, thanks in large part to the support they received from Fairbanks staff, particularly Kris Schuster in career development, and a professor who wrote them a recommendation letter.
“I can’t recommend the IN-SEIT program enough!” Rozakis exclaims, noting that they are now in their second year with the Indiana Department of Health.
Another significant opportunity came through their involvement with the Indiana Public Health Association (IPHA) and the Public Health AmeriCorps program. This program allowed Rozakis to witness firsthand the interplay of public health and civic policy at the local level.
“Seeing the interplay of public health and civic policy on the local level has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of why program designs must be community-specific and rich in community involvement,” they explain.
Most recently, Rozakis was recommended by a faculty member to participate in a Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Institute (MURI) research study. This collaborative effort between the Fairbanks School of Public Health and the IU School of Dentistry focuses on investigating screening methods and referral procedures for head and neck skin cancers within the field of dentistry.
“I am currently engaged with all of these opportunities concurrently and I have never felt more prepared and excited to continue my professional development,” they share.
A transformative college experience
Reflecting on their college journey, Rozakis describes their time at Fairbanks as almost idyllic, especially after struggling during their first two years for personal and academic reasons.
“Once I found public health and transitioned to Fairbanks, pieces began to fall into place,” they said. The support from faculty and staff, along with the alignment of course materials and skills with their interests, played a crucial role in their success.
Two experiences, in particular, have stood out to Rozakis during their time at Fairbanks. The first was their role as the undergraduate student government (USG) senator for Fairbanks, where they chaired the sustainability working group.
“This experience provided me with an invaluable opportunity to learn how to listen and incorporate group ideas and desires into an overarching plan,” they said, recommending that others who are passionate about policy or want to contribute to improving IU Indianapolis explore opportunities with USG.
The second influential experience was their study abroad trip to Sweden and Norway, led by Fairbanks faculty.
“This 10-day program was the first experience I had abroad, which was eye-opening in and of itself,” Rozakis shares.
The program’s intentionally curated activities and lectures, particularly a memorable lecture at Angered Hospital in Gothenburg, left a lasting impact on them. The lecture focused on the health of people with a migrant background and how Sweden’s healthcare system had adapted to provide culturally competent care.
“The empathy and precision with which the lecturers spoke fully convinced me that the skills and knowledge I would need to do the exact same in the United States were there, in Sweden,” Rozakis says, solidifying their goal to pursue graduate studies in Sweden or Norway.
Rozakis’s journey at Fairbanks has been one of discovery, growth, and passion for public health. As they look ahead to the next steps in their academic and professional career, they do so with confidence, knowing that they are well prepared to make a meaningful impact in the world of public health.
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