Class of 2025

Congratulations to Krishna Arunkumar and Amanda Pham, who have been awarded this year's Lynne Loomis-Price Humanitarian Award. This award honors students who exemplify Lynne’s positive spirit, her commitment to human rights, and dedication to the reduction of health disparities and the pursuit of social justice. 

Krishna embodies these values through her sustained advocacy for equity and social justice, both in and beyond the classroom. Krishna was a driving force within MOSAIC, a faculty-to-student mentorship initiative that supports first-generation students and students of color. Krishna brought exceptional leadership, empathy, and organizational talents to MOSAIC. Her academic and professional work, including research on climate and food justice, reflects her unwavering dedication to underserved communities and meaningful, community-rooted change. 

Amanda reflects these values through her deep dedication to service and public health. As a volunteer with El Barrio Angels, she has supported asylum seekers in East Harlem with compassion, language skills, and a generous spirit. She also brought clarity and care to her role as a teaching assistant in Public Health Program Planning, guiding peers with thoughtful feedback and steady support. Amanda’s academic strength, commitment to humanitarian work, and drive to serve in emergency response make her a remarkable recipient of this award.   

We are proud to recognize Sarah Branoff, who has been awarded the Department of Population and Family Health Academic Excellence Award, as well as the Mailman School of Public Health John and Kathleen Gorman Public Health Humanitarian Award. 

Sarah is deeply committed to global sexual and reproductive health and rights. Selected for her outstanding coursework, a Capstone project that contributed to reproductive health efforts in Uganda, and meaningful leadership as a lead teaching assistant, Sarah exemplifies academic excellence and a strong commitment to public health. 

Congratulations to Aman Saiju, recipient of the Terry McGovern Health Justice Award, which honors students who center human rights in their public health work and advance justice through scholarship, advocacy, and coalition-building. 

As a dual-degree MPH/MS in Bioethics student, Aman has demonstrated a strong commitment to ethical care, patient empowerment, and community-based research. His Capstone project explored how patients can manage and correct their own health records, contributing to broader conversations about trust and autonomy in healthcare. 

Through his APEx with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aman helped adapt cancer research education for local communities. He has also contributed meaningfully as a teaching assistant and campus leader. As he prepares to begin medical school, Aman brings with him a strong foundation in justice-driven public health practice and a clear commitment to community-informed care and lives out the legacy of Terry McGovern by advancing health equity through scholarships, ethical leadership, and care-centered action.   

Congratulations to Adithi Kumar, who is the recipient of the Mailman School of Public Health's Excellence in Global Health Award. This award is given to a student who has demonstrated excellence in global health research, service or practice and a commitment to improving the public health of individuals and communities in low and middle income countries. 

Adithi has distinguished herself through her commitment to global health practice and advocacy. Her experience spans continents, from service projects in India to research at the AfriChild Centre in Uganda. 

Whether through digital storytelling, teaching, or international collaboration, Adhiti consistently brings a powerful voice to global health—especially on behalf of young people and vulnerable communities. 

We are proud to recognize Sarah Branoff, who has been awarded the Department of Population and Family Health Academic Excellence Award, as well as the Mailman School of Public Health John and Kathleen Gorman Public Health Humanitarian Award. 

The John and Kathleen Gorman Public Health Humanitarian Award school-wide award is given to a student who demonstrates excellence in commitment to the humane care of individuals and communities, in advancing consideration of human rights, and in valuing health care and prevention. 

For her Applied Practice Experience, Sarah supported a women-led organization in Northern Uganda and later collaborated with the International Rescue Committee to develop a proposal that successfully secured funding for a process evaluation of the She Cares program. She is known for her critical thinking, collaborative spirit, and steady leadership—qualities that distinguish her among an exceptional graduating class.