Prospective Students

One of the great hallmarks of our faculty is its passion for teaching. Whether addressing students on the effects of health disparities among minority populations, discussing the impact of mold exposure in homes flooded by Hurricane Katrina, or connecting statistical evidence to the creation of public health policy, Mailman School faculty strive to equip and inspire students to become agents of change. The School’s median class size of approximately 15 students provides an intimate learning environment where students enjoy unparalleled access to experts on the frontlines of public health.

Masterful Mentor: Ana Abraido-Lanza, PhD

Immersed in their particular areas of study, students at the Mailman School, typically develop strong mentoring relationships with members of the faculty.  Dr. Abraido-Lanza, associate professor of Sociomedical Sciences, teaches a course on health psychology and a seminar on research and professional development. Dr. Abraido-Lanza notes that, “As a part of the mentoring process, I involve students in many aspects of my research. Their insights and knowledge enhance my work and, in turn, the experience they gain from collaborating on projects cultivates their skills and enriches their development as researchers.”

Inspirational Teaching: Dr. Melissa Begg

For each of her 18 years as a faculty member at the Mailman School, Dr. Melissa Begg has taught one of the School’s most highly rated classes—Analysis of Categorical Data. It’s “not the sexiest topic, I realize,” says Dr. Begg, professor of clinical Biostatistics, associate dean of Interdisciplinary Programs,  and co-director of the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. But the lofty praise she receives in course evaluations provides some insight into how she teaches an often-intimidating subject. Says one student, “Dr. Begg teaches with the real world in mind, and I finally understand why statistics is important.” Added another, “I learned more than I thought I was ever capable of learning about statistics.”

“Early on in each semester, I search the classroom for that tell-tale stare—the one that lets me know a student is not connecting to the material,” says Dr. Begg. “For me, that look is inspirational. It continually forces me to come up with new and creative ways to illustrate the connection between statistics and public health, and to help students understand this concept as it relates to their work, now and in the future.”

For her stellar teaching ability, Dr. Begg has received the Mailman School’s Teaching Excellence Award and Columbia University’s Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching, the highest teaching honor the University bestows upon a professor.