Aladekomo Selected as 2025-2026 'This is Public Health' Ambassador
Second-year PhD student Oluwafunto Adepeju Aladekomo has been selected as a 2025-2026 This is Public Health (TIPH) Ambassador.
In 2017, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) launched its TIPH Ambassador Program, available for select students representing various US public health schools. Ambassadors work to amplify the importance of public health, spark interest in the field, and connect with communities and partners to highlight education and career opportunities. This year, 71 students nationwide will serve as ambassadors, each bringing unique perspectives to how they address global and local public health challenges within their communities.
Aladekomo is a PhD student in the Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, where she is training to develop and apply biostatistical analyses to address human health and disease challenges. In today’s data-driven world, biostatistics and data science combine mathematics and practice to shape solutions for all. Over the next year, Aladekomo will work amongst leaders in public health, expand her research network, and serve as a voice in a field devoted to improving public and population health. She sees this opportunity as a way to bolster her academic career and inspire others to pursue education and career paths in this domain.
“I am also excited to share stories and amplify the important work happening across our field,” she shared. “I hope to raise awareness about public health, engage communities in meaningful initiatives, and inspire prospective students to see their place in the public health field.”
Formative experiences with the World Health Organization and Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Nigeria shaped Aladekomo’s interest in public health. Witnessing firsthand the dedication these health professionals had to combat the health challenges different communities faced, urged her to enter the public health discipline.
“These experiences showed me how evidence-based interventions can transform health outcomes,” she said.
Today, her research interests focus on improving maternal and child health, health disparities, and adolescent mental health, emphasizing applying statistical methods to address gaps in care and outcomes. She is particularly interested in applying these methods to address gaps in underrepresented populations, ensuring that data is used to create solutions that drive meaningful change.