With more than 160 attendees, this year’s Graduation Reception marked the department’s largest celebration to date, bringing together students, faculty, staff, family and friends to honor the Class of 2026 and recognize accomplishments across the department’s graduate programs.
“There are 41 students in this year’s graduating class,” said Kathryn McCollister, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the department, during her opening remarks. “While we are still facing enormous public health challenges, we are proud of this resilient cohort of students who will bring about meaningful and positive changes in the future.”
The graduating class included students from the M.P.H., M.S.P.H., M.S. in Prevention Science, M.S. in Biostatistics, Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Ph.D. in Prevention Science and Community Health programs.
Throughout the ceremony, speakers reflected on the impact students have already made through research, leadership, service and community engagement.
“You demonstrated your passion for public health in capstone field experiences and projects, in your thesis, manuscripts, conference presentations, student organizations and extracurricular activities,” McCollister said. “Your dedication to improving health disparities and increasing access for underserved communities is helping transform health systems and improve quality of life.”
Viviana Horigian, M.D., M.H.A., vice chair of education, offered remarks and a toast to graduates, encouraging students as they move into the next phase of their academic and professional journeys. During the ceremony, she also read the poem “Don’t Quit” by Edgar Guest, encouraging students to continue forward through challenges and uncertainty as future public health leaders.
Several student accomplishments were recognized during the reception, including national fellowships, research presentations and academic honors.
Two Ph.D. students in Prevention Science, Jahn Jaramillo and Lacey Despres, were awarded NIH F31 Fellowship Grants. Alexandra McMahon, a Ph.D. student in Epidemiology, was selected for a research internship with Johnson & Johnson, and LaShae Rolle, a Ph.D. student in Prevention Science, received the University of Miami Graduate Student Exemplar Award for 2025-2026.
Five master’s students presented research during the 2026 Eastern Atlantic Student Research Forum: Ana Trelles Abascal, Anna Hernandez, Minnu Vaddeman, Catalina Real Escobar and Bria Woodard. Falasha Mahadevia, an M.P.H. student, also received a $1,000 award during the Bench 2 Bedside Medical Innovation Competition to support her team’s innovation project.
The ceremony also included presentations from the Delta Omega Honorary Society and the Public Health Student Association (PHSA), recognizing student leaders, faculty and staff for their contributions to the department community.
Joshua Bornstein, secretary and treasurer of Delta Omega and an M.P.H. graduate recently accepted into the University of Miami Herbert Business School MBA program, reflected on the organization’s work throughout the academic year, including collaboration with Denise Vidot, Ph.D., during National Public Health Week programming.
“Serving as secretary and treasurer of Delta Omega allowed me to contribute to a community of students who are passionate about public health while helping support initiatives that recognized academic achievement and leadership within the department,” Bornstein said.
Delta Omega award recipients included:
- Distinguished Mentorship Award: Shirin Shafazand, M.D.
- Excellence in Teaching Award: Eric Brown, Ph.D.
- Outstanding Dedication Award: Heather Rose
“Mentoring, advising and coaching are all essential for ensuring the success of the next generation,” Dr. Shafazand said. “It is the bridge between didactics and public health practice.”
PHSA co-presidents Shannon Coffey and Ryan Rahming also addressed attendees, reflecting on their experiences within the M.P.H. program and the professional growth they experienced throughout their studies.
“The MPH program was a great challenge and really deepened my understanding of public health as a whole,” Rahming said. “It even helped me realize a genuine love for epidemiology, which has changed how I look at healthcare.”
Coffey, who will begin medical school at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine this summer, reflected on the close-knit environment within the department.
“I will remember all the wonderful conversations I’ve had with other students, professors and staff throughout my time, and just the overall tight-knit and supportive feeling of the program,” Coffey said.
PHSA award recipients included:
- Teaching Assistant of the Year: Lacey Despres
- Graduate Student of the Year: LaShae Rolle
- Faculty Member of the Year: Edda Rodriguez, M.D.
- PHSA Officer of the Year: Shannon Coffey
- Staff Service Award: Rosa Verdeja
Despres, who will begin a postdoctoral research fellowship through an NIH-funded T32 program at the University of Chicago following graduation, reflected on the significance of the recognition.
“As a first-generation college graduate and the first in my family to pursue a graduate degree, this achievement marks not only a great accomplishment for myself but for my family and support system,” Despres said.
Throughout the event, department leadership encouraged graduates to remain connected to the University of Miami and continue contributing to the field of public health through research, education, advocacy and service.
“This year’s celebration reflected the strong sense of community within our department,” said Margie Jimenez, M.A., CRA, assistant chair. “Watching our students reach this milestone and seeing the support surrounding them from faculty, staff, family and peers made the event especially meaningful.”
“Wherever you go, remember to leave your mark,” McCollister told graduates. “Think of stumbling blocks as stepping-stones and never stop working toward your goals.”
Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published May 14, 2026.
