Chloe Connor, a 2022 Penn State graduate majoring in psychology and minoring in bioethics and medical humanities (BMH), biology, and global health, was recently named as a Fulbright Finalist to study at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. At Southampton, Ms. Connor will pursue a master’s of science degree in public health and intends to conduct her dissertation research on the impact of long covid as a member of the university’s Population Health Sciences Research Group.
“Given the interwoven complexities of globalization, we desperately need students like Ms. Connor to bring together the arenas of bioethics, public health, global studies, and science,” said Michele Mekel, interim director of the Penn State Bioethics Program and former Fulbright recipient. “Ms. Connor’s endeavors create hope for a robust and ethical approach to public health and policy, grounded in both bioethics and science.”
Ms. Connor’s interest in public health arose when she began taking BMH courses focused on health, health care, and medical ethics. In class discussions, she saw the linkage between public health and bioethics and learned how policy impacts local and global communities. In particular, Ms. Connor, who has been admitted to Harvard Law School, is interested in public health law and in measuring the impact of health policy through legal epidemiology.
“The BMH Minor at Penn State was transformative for me, and it greatly informed my decision to study both public health and law at the graduate level,” said Connor. “Through my BMH courses, I was able to apply my interests to real-world applications and learn analytical techniques that I will utilize in my coursework, my career, and my daily life. I am incredibly grateful for everything the Bioethics Program and the BMH Minor have given me!”
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