The Huo Family Foundation Scholarship in Public Health

The Huo Family Foundation Scholarship in Public Health is Columbia Mailman’s most prestigious scholarship award, each year benefiting and celebrating a talented, diverse, public service-oriented cohort of students who are poised to transform the future of public health. The Huo Scholars receive full-tuition scholarships as well as stipends to help support their APEx practicum. Students do not apply for the Huo Scholarship directly, but rather are selected from the class of admitted students based on merit, financial circumstances, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

The Huo Scholarship program has three primary aims: to foster students’ future careers in public service by eliminating financial barriers to a world-class public health education; to support students with additional programming and networking; and to build a community of alumni scholars, policymakers, and practitioners who will protect and strengthen the health of communities around the world.

The Huo Scholarship Program is unique among schools of public health in the scope of its support for students who aim to enter careers in public service. It allows students of all backgrounds and identities to pursue the course of scholarship that most inspires them—so that they can channel their passion into fulfilling, impactful public service careers. Each year, a new cohort of graduates joins the distinguished community of Huo Scholarship alumni, helping grow and strengthen a network that benefits their own futures as well as those of the people and communities they serve. 

The Huo Scholarship would not be possible without the support of the Huo Family Foundation, whose generosity has helped dozens of promising graduates enter public service careers. These Huo Scholars have already made an invaluable impact on the health and lives of people around the world, and the Foundation’s continued partnership means the Program’s alumni impact will be amplified through the years, decades, and generations to come.  

Featured Huo Scholars Alumni

Ellen Brooks Bannon, MPH ’23 Environmental Protection Specialist / Clean Water Act Inspector, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency I began working for the U.S. EPA during the summer following my first year at Columbia. The Huo Scholarship allowed me the ability to do this internship, and eventually get a full-time job—by funding my schooling, I did not have to seek other, more lucrative opportunities, to pay for my academic expenses. I currently work for the federal government, so public service is at the heart of what I do. Whether it is building cases against companies that violate the Clean Water Act, fielding citizen complaints, or responding to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, I am deeply engaged with the community I serve.

Aiden Baek, MPH ’20 Analytics Lead, Medidata AI The Huo Scholarship is the biggest reason I was able to focus my time on academic and professional development, which has led to many opportunities that have positively impacted my interests and career trajectory. I would have had a hard time pursuing the same opportunities without the support from the Huo Scholarship. My commitment to public service drives me to pursue projects that leverage data to solution ways in which clinical trials can be conducted more accurately and fairly.

Lauren R. Rutherford, MPH ’22 Technical Officer, FHI360 Receiving the Huo Scholarship allowed me to attend Columbia Mailman. Following graduation, the lack of student loan debt allowed me to take my time in looking for a meaningful role at an organization that aligns with my values. My team and I take a multi-faceted approach to HIV, addressing several health factors at a government, science, and community level, allowing me to explore multiple avenues of public service in one position.

Nika Sabasteanski, MPH ’20 Associate, Sive, Paget & Riesel During graduate school, I discovered my love for policy and the law and ultimately pursued a JD. I am now working as an environmental lawyer—a passion I discovered while at Columbia Mailman. I hope to improve the built environment around me through the law and policy as well as scholarship.