Public health grad fell in love with the Tulane community

After finishing her undergraduate degree at Tulane University, Robyn Sanders, 24, was signed up and ready to join the Peace Corps.
 
Things didn’t quite work out that way.
 
She had already applied and been accepted to the Master of Science program at the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
 
“I always knew I wanted to be involved in the community and give back where I could. This program was a way for me to do that. So, I ended up in graduate school and it’s been a gratifying experience,” said Sanders, who is graduating in May with a Master of Science in epidemiology.
 
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Sanders said that she initially didn’t fully grasp how varied and different Tulane would be.
 
“A lot of the culture at Tulane is great. People are kind but also not everyone is from here and I feel like I have been able to expand my horizons by being able to interact with a variety of people,’ she said.
 
At school, Sanders’ developed a keen interest in conducting research and hopes to one day work on higher level research capable of changing policies that push public health forward. She is especially drawn to studying the long-term outcomes of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases that develop over a lifetime.
 
“That’s what I have appreciated about the professors at graduate school, they do so much work in the cardiovascular space. To see their work firsthand, seeing how they are true experts in their fields, it’s been very inspiring,” she said.        
 
Professors’ Tonette Krousel-Wood and Erin Peacock were especially inspiring during her time at the program, Sanders said.
                                                                                  
Sanders also became involved in student advocacy in her role as vice president of the Graduate and Professional Student Association.
                      
“I wanted to get involved to offer some perspective, but I also really do love Tulane and wanted to positively contribute to what I can offer to students,” she said.                                                               
Sanders is currently planning her next steps, applying to work as a clinical research coordinator with the hopes of getting more published research on her record. She’s not sure where work will take her, but she hopes not far.                                                                                                               
“I would love to stay in the South especially after all this time spent in New Orleans. I have a spot for the community and being here,” she said. “I have developed a true love for the city and the people.”