My name is Izzy Ilardi, and I am a third-year student in the Global Disease Biology program from Wyckoff, New Jersey. Since transferring to UC Davis as a second-year student, I have become deeply engaged with the GDB program and the many enriching opportunities it offers. Through my studies, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of One Health, which has significantly informed my research pursuits and extracurricular activities.
I am interested in health and medicine as a whole which is something that has guided my journey at UC Davis. My interest in the Global Disease Biology program began when I learned what the One Health model is and how it serves to provide a holistic view of human, animal, and environmental health. Currently, I am in my senior year at UC Davis, and have had an amazing adventure thus far to say the least. Being a transfer student made my junior year tough at the onset as I was taking upper division courses in a university that I had little to no
Hi, my name is Aayiz Mansuri, and I am currently a second-year student majoring in Global Disease Biology. GDB has significantly deepened my understanding of a wide range of issues related to diseases and their profound impacts on society and global health. One of my favorite classes so far has been Disease and Society with Dr. Leveau. This class provided me with valuable insights into various diseases and many epidemiology concepts, which have furthered my enthusiasm for future GDB coursework.
My name is Aydin and I'm a 3rd year GDB major who loves to bake, play violin and read. As a student, I am a part of a plant pathology lab on campus that studies annual crop diseases. I am also involved in multiple clubs, such as ballroom dance and French. Being a GDB major has completely changed my future plans. Before finding GDB, I was going to transfer as a microbiology major but the breadth of curriculum made me switch. As a result, I found my current lab job through the GDB newsletter and the restricted electives have given me the freedom to explore my passion in plant pathology.
Hi, my name is Karishma Srinivas and I’m a fourth-year GDB student. Currently, I work in the Kliebenstein lab studying the interactions between the necrotrophic pathogen, Botrytis, and various plant species. Post graduation, I plan to take a gap year and work as an EMT before applying to medical school! The GDB major has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of diseases and helped me feel more prepared for my career post-graduation! One of my favorite classes is GDB 101 which helped me realize my passion for epidemiology through the various disease simulations we created.
Hi, my name is Karthik Midde, and I am a 3rd year Global Disease Biology major. I transferred into the major in my second year as I was attracted to the focus on studying health in a global context. I've truly come to appreciate the amount of flexibility we have within the major to tailor to our interests, from the restricted electives to the practicum project.
Hi, my name is Muiez Bashir. I am a fourth-year Global Disease Biology Major. I chose this major after learning about it in my second year when I heard that it had a practicum project. What I like about the major is the emphasis on the one health concept and the direct application of the skills and education that GDB students learn, allowing them to engage in on-campus research and apply their learning in practical settings in the form of their practicum. After graduating, I plan on applying to medical school and becoming a physician one day.
Hi, my name is Nikhita and I am a fourth-year Global Disease Biology major. My academic journey within the GDB major has been an enriching exploration of the field of public health, providing me with a strong foundation in understanding health disparities and their broader implications. Delving into rigorous coursework and collaborative research projects has honed my analytical skills and instilled in me a deep-seated curiosity about the connection between biological and developmental factors.
Alejandro is a fourth-year first-generation student double majoring in Global Disease Biology (GDB) and Psychology with a minor in Chicano/a Studies. Alejandro’s interest in medicine and public health led him to join Clinica Tepati, a UC Davis student-run primary care clinic that addresses the healthcare gap in the Latino community of the greater Sacramento area. Clinica Tepati’s three-part mission; healthcare, education, and advocacy resonates with Alejandro’s aspiration of becoming a physician to address the health disparities in his community.
Hi, I’m Davis and I am a fourth-year Global Disease Biology student. The GDB curriculum has given me the tools and experience necessary to become successful in the fields of public health and health sciences. The wide range of course topics has exposed me to new ways of thinking while diving deeper into topics I already have had an interest in. Studying disease from a One Health perspective has allowed me to analyze and critically think about health issues from different angles.
