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Growing up in the Dominican Republic, ³ÉÈË´óƬ graduate student Mariel German always knew that she wanted to help people. While enrolled in UNF’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program, German has conducted extensive cancer and COVID-19 research related to underserved communities, both domestically and internationally. 

As she prepares to graduate this Friday with a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in epidemiology, German plans to focus her professional endeavors around health education and disease prevention initiatives in Northeast Florida and beyond. 

"There are many things we can do to help prevent chronic and untreatable diseases,” said German. “Making lifestyle changes can minimize risks.” 

Strengthening her field experience, German is currently completing a summer internship with the Florida Department of Health (DOH) as an epidemiology intern. She says this experience allows her to convert her course knowledge into real-world applications. Recently, German visited a local shelter helping to administer testing and vaccines to individuals living with hepatitis. 

"I have spent the last two years studying to be able to work in the public health field,” said German. “This internship has allowed me to put faces to all the data we see on a daily basis.” 

Early Years, Medical Career and Shifting Her Interests 

According to German, caring for others always came naturally. She says having a mother who is a medical doctor influenced her to pursue a health-related career. In her youth, she would volunteer as her mother provided medical aid to underserved communities. Following in her mother’s footsteps, German attended medical school, earning a Doctor of Medicine degree in 2022 from the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology in the Dominican Republic. 

While studying to become a pediatrician, she interned and volunteered with various organizations such as the Dominican Red Cross and Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), a statewide nonprofit organization offering a wide range of social services. Her internship with LSF prompted her initial move to Jacksonville in late 2021. She says her experience working with LSF, which included conducting health evaluations on children and scheduling medical appointments, opened her eyes to how public health administration works in the U.S. 

Following her three-month internship with LSF, she completed her doctorate studies in the Dominican Republic before participating in a pediatrics program in Austria. Although she deeply values her clinical training, she discovered that her true passion lies in preventative care and education to help improve health outcomes at the population level. 

“Public health offers the tools and resources to impact whole communities,” German said.  

Becoming an Osprey 

German learned about UNF’s MPH program and began taking classes in fall 2023. She worked as a graduate assistant, providing administrative and research assistance to faculty in the Department of Public Health. She has also supported the department by working as a peer mentor and distance learning coach. 

Initially, German was nervous about fitting in at ³ÉÈË´óƬas an international student — acknowledging that she felt self-conscious about her Spanish accent. She quickly realized she had nothing to worry about. 

“I came to ³ÉÈË´óƬknowing nothing about it except for what’s on the website,” said German. “At UNF, you are surrounded by a community of people that want to support you.” 

She developed friendships with fellow public health students, and joined Eta Sigma Gamma, a public health honor society providing scholars opportunities for practical application of health education and health promotion skills. Feeling more confident in her new surroundings, she also began to take advantage of campus amenities such as exercising at the Student Wellness Complex and learning how to kayak at Lake Oneida. 

Public Health Research Activities 

Under the mentorship of Dr. Sericea Stallings-Smith, associate professor of public health, German has conducted research on numerous health-related topics. Together, they served as two of four co-authors on a research study entitled “Cancer Information Seekers’ Comprehension Level and the Association with Preventable Cancer Risk Factors: A Cross-sectional Analysis from a Nationally Representative U.S. Adult Survey.” This study examined how well individuals understood cancer-related information and highlighted the importance of clear, accessible health communication. 

They also teamed up for a research project titled, “Viral Motivation: Analyzing Engagement Drivers in Tweets about Exercise in the COVID-19 Era,” where they analyzed tweets from the COVID-19 pandemic to assess the spread of false information and the lack of authoritative messaging. This research emphasized the role of digital platforms in shaping public health perceptions and the urgent need for accurate and timely communication. 

Throughout 2024, German presented the findings of these research studies at multiple annual conferences, including UNF’s Showcase of Osprey Advancements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS) Symposium and the American Academy of Health Behavior Annual Scientific Meeting. These experiences not only boosted her confidence but also deepened her passion for public health advocacy. 

German says Stallings-Smith's mentorship during her time at ³ÉÈË´óƬhas been profound. 

“Almost everything I know about research came from her,” said German. 

Stallings-Smith says German’s insatiable thirst for knowledge and desire to contribute to public health initiatives will prove beneficial in her professional career. 

“Mariel is endlessly positive and curious. She is a kind, empathetic person, which makes her an ideal public health researcher and practitioner,” Stallings-Smith said. 

Graduation and Future Plans 

Reflecting upon her experiences at UNF, German says joining Osprey Nation was the perfect choice. The oldest of four siblings, she is excited for her family to witness her walk across the stage at graduation. Although living far away from family has been challenging, German says their love and support has motivated her to complete her studies. 

“I wouldn’t be here without my family. They are my rock,” she said. 

Following graduation, German plans to apply for a fellowship with DOH-Duval to support initiatives involving maternal and child health, food insecurity, employee wellness and more. She would also like to return to ³ÉÈË´óƬone day and teach in the Department of Public Health.