Each year, the UBC Master of Public Health (MPH) Program recruits a team of student facilitators to encourage connections among students and instill a sense of belonging within SPPH. These student facilitators play an invaluable role in fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community within the MPH cohort.
This year, we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the outgoing student facilitators Catalina Ionescu, Khushi Khandelwal, and Abita Venkatesh, who have done an exceptional job in encouraging student engagement and building community. They organized and led over 20 diverse events spanning four key areas: community engagement, peer support, career development, and practicum preparation. Their innovative approach to event planning and student support demonstrated remarkable creativity.
We are deeply grateful for their immense contribution to the SPPH community and for brightening the academic year for many students. We celebrate their accomplishments and wish them the best on their future adventures!
Student Facilitators:
Catalina Ionescu is a second-year MPH student at UBC. She is a first-generation immigrant from Romania who moved to Canada when she was 5 years old and is currently residing on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories in colonially named Vancouver. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at UBC. Her interests particularly focus on uterine reproductive health and sexual health. In her spare time, she enjoys Pilates, going to the beach, playing board games, and spending time with friends and family.
Being a student facilitator was one of the most rewarding experiences of my MPH program. It gave me the chance to connect meaningfully with first-year students, organize social events that supported their well-being, and remind them of the importance of balance and having fun. It was also a great opportunity to pass on insights, offer guidance through the program and practicum, and support their professional development journeys.
– Catalina Ionescu
Khushi Khandelwal (she/her) is an international student from India, currently navigating her academic journey as a second-year MPH student. She has a background in Biology and Chemistry, having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Delhi. Her primary academic interests revolve around global health and infectious disease control. Outside of her studies, she finds joy in reading, watching movies, traveling, exploring new places and connecting with friends and family.
Being an MPH facilitator was a truly fulfilling experience that allowed me to connect with and support my peers, particularly international students adjusting to academic and cultural challenges. It provided a unique opportunity to foster a sense of community by organizing social events, offering guidance, and prioritizing students’ well-being. Planning these events was a highlight, as it created spaces for students to relax, bond, and feel a sense of belonging. Through this role, I developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of community and was grateful to be part of the student facilitator team.
– Khushi Khandelwal
Abita Venkatesh grew up in both southern Ontario and in southern California, and she completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at UCLA. She is centering her MPH pathway around community health, and in her free time, enjoys cafe hopping, checking out bookstores, reading, and thrifting.
Being a student facilitator this year was an incredibly enriching experience, and it provided me with a great opportunity to get to know the first-year cohort and better know my own. I enjoyed getting to engage more with my friends and peers, plan social events for everyone, and bond more as a result! It was very rewarding to be part of and help foster the student community in the MPH program.
– Abita Venkatesh