My name is Jason Tin and I graduated with my bachelor’s in Global Disease Biology and a minor in Public Health Sciences back in 2022. Initially, I came to UC Davis as a biochemistry major, but promptly made the switch to GDB after my first quarter when I learned about its focus on One Health. Although the idea of One Health was new to me at that time, I really resonated with the interdisciplinary approach to health it promoted after reading more about it on the GDB webpage. My original 4-year plan heavily focused on me preparing for a career in medicine, but after taking some classes such as Disease and Society (SAS 13) and being involved in clubs such as Global Medical Brigades, I slowly realized my passion belonged more in public health. The pandemic and my involvement with the Aggie Public Health Ambassadors on campus further solidified my switch into public health as a career and as the primary focus for my GDB practicum. Working with Dr. Laramie Taylor and the then PhD candidate Hannah Stevens from the Department of Communication, I was able to complete and publish my practicum work on moral foundations related to online discourse of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

After graduating with my bachelor’s, I went straight into UC Davis’ Master in Public Health program and got my MPH degree with a concentration in epidemiology in 2023. Using my knowledge from GDB, my research experience, and my history of being involved in global health, I was able to work with community health volunteers and the Ministry of Health in Nepal to address adolescent diarrheal disease associated with biogas technology for my MPH practicum. This would all lead me to become a California Epidemiologic Investigation Service (Cal-EIS) Fellow with the Center for Environmental Health at the California Department of Public Health for a year. As a fellow, I worked with the relatively new One Health team to expand One Health efforts across California and completed a research project on antimicrobial stewardship among companion animal veterinarians using a One Health approach. As of right now, I have extended my fellowship and reside with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to continue my training as an epidemiologist.

Looking back at my history, I am proud of what I have accomplished and of the ample opportunities I have been able to gain. I am very thankful for the GDB program, as if I had not made that initial switch from biochemistry, I would not have followed my passion for public health. The unique focus on One Health and the interesting courses I’ve taken back then helped me get to where I am today!