Emily Huynh never imagined that her love for mathematics would lead her to a career fighting infectious diseases and improving community health. As a recent graduate of UTMB's School of Public and Population Health with an MPH in Biostatistics, Emily represents a new generation of public health professionals who blend analytical skills with a passion for community wellbeing.
COVID Changes Course for Psychology Major
Like many students, Emily's journey to public health wasn't straightforward. While pursuing her undergraduate studies at the University of Houston, she initially considered a health minor alongside her psychology major. Then the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.
"COVID started during my second semester of undergrad," Emily explains. "I had an intro to public health class with a professor who was very passionate about the field. As we got closer, she motivated me to switch my health minor into a public health major."
This change opened new doors for Emily. She discovered she could combine her natural strength in mathematics with her interest in health sciences without the clinical aspects that didn't appeal to her.
"I've always been really interested in the clinical side of healthcare, but I don't do well with bodily fluids," she says with a laugh. "So I thought, I'll do research! Statistics has always been a strong skill for me, and I find it interesting to look behind the research of how vaccines help and how different treatments improve healthcare outcomes."
UTMB Offers Perfect Balance of Support and Independence
When it came time to choose a graduate program, Emily was drawn to UTMB's School of Public and Population Health for several reasons. Some friends who were already at UTMB as nursing students recommended the supportive environment, and she was attracted to the school's coastal location.
Emily appreciated that UTMB offered the perfect balance – close enough to her Houston home to maintain connections but far enough to provide independence and new experiences in a supportive academic environment.
Emily specifically chose the MPH in Biostatistics because it combined public health principles with her analytical strengths. "I've always been more interested in the logistics side of things. I've always been stronger in analyzing numbers and statistical modeling rather than identifying different frameworks."
Immunization Data Analysis and NIH Research Shape Graduate Experience
Emily's graduate education extended far beyond the classroom. Her internship at the Galveston County Health District gave her invaluable experience analyzing immunization data for measles and HPV.
"We worked with data from the Texas Immunizations Registry to see which areas had the lowest vaccination rates," she explains. "This helped the health district focus their outreach and interventions on the communities that needed them most."
She also served as a student consultant through UTMB's Office of Biostatistics, where she contributed to an NIH-funded research project on hospital closures in rural U.S. counties.
"These experiences taught me how to apply statistical concepts to real public health challenges," Emily reflects. "I learned how to communicate findings clearly to researchers and stakeholders, which is just as important as the analysis itself."
Emily's commitment to making health information accessible extends beyond data analysis. She contributed to UTMB's SPECTRE program by writing "The Facts about Diphtheria" in November 2023, breaking down the disease's symptoms, treatment, and prevention in clear, understandable terms. This work reflects her belief that effective public health requires not just strong analysis but also the ability to share that knowledge with the broader community.
Job Search Focus on Healthcare Data Analysis and Oncology Research
As Emily enters the professional world, she's seeking roles as a data analyst or biostatistician in the healthcare sector. She plans to continue volunteering with the Galveston County Health District while job hunting, expanding her experience analyzing vaccination data.
"The job market is competitive right now," she acknowledges. "But I know my skill set is valuable."
Emily is particularly interested in positions that allow her to continue studying the effectiveness of treatments and interventions over time. Her integrated practicum experience, which involved comparing cancer treatments using SEER-Medicare data, sparked an interest in oncology research that she hopes to pursue further.
Advice for Future Students
When asked what advice she would give to prospective SPPH students, Emily emphasizes the importance of adaptability.
"Even if you want something, be ready to adapt if it doesn't work out," she says, recalling how she initially hoped to do her Applied Practice Experience with MD Anderson but pivoted to the Galveston County Health District when that wasn't feasible. "That change ended up being perfect for me."
She also stresses the importance of time management. "I treated school like a job—Sunday to Thursday, 9 to 5, I focused on coursework. Outside those hours was my time." This structure, along with detailed calendar planning and setting personal deadlines ahead of official due dates, helped her stay ahead without burning out.
Emily's journey from undergraduate psychology student to public health data analyst illustrates how diverse paths can lead to fulfilling careers in public health. As she steps into the professional world, she carries with her not just statistical expertise, but a deep understanding of how that expertise can improve health outcomes for communities.
Emily Huynh completed her Master of Public Health in Biostatistics at UTMB's School of Public Health and Population Health in May 2025.