Leading change in public health: SOPH alum honored for global research
Jordyn Wallenborn, Ph.D., M.P.H., didn’t enter public health seeking awards. So it was a surprise and a tremendous honor when she was named to VCU Alumni’s 10 Under 10 list this fall.
“Working in public health, you don’t do it for the recognition. But it’s nice to know the work has meaning,” Wallenborn said.
She was nominated for her global research on breastfeeding. As a project leader for the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Wallenborn spends much of her time traveling to communities around the world. She is currently conducting research in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, with plans to expand the project to Brazil, Africa, and the United States.
When on the ground, she spends her time getting to know the culture of the people she’s serving. She trains the staff and meets with families to better understand their needs. With the language barrier, cultural differences and the amount of work involved in these studies, she puts a lot of trust in the local partners throughout the years-long research.
Despite the challenges and frequent travel, Wallenborn is clearly passionate about her work. She’s driven by the significance and the potential for widespread impact. At times she has to adopt a business mindset, “selling” her findings and recommendations to small organizations who will then put pressure on larger organizations to implement changes to health care policy and access. She knows it’s all part of the job. And it’s clear she is highly committed to the work of improving lives for mothers and their families.
“I love what I do so much,” Wallenborn said. “I get hyper-focused and I’m never scared off by a challenge.”
When Wallenborn graduated in 2017, the Department of Epidemiology was housed in VCU’s School of Medicine. In 2023, the department was moved to the new School of Public Health, which she sees as a good move. “The Department of Epidemiology has always been a leading program in training and education. With the new School of Public Health, it will get the recognition and resources it has always deserved,” Wallenborn said.
This marks the second consecutive year an alum of the School of Public Health was recognized as a 10 Under 10 honoree. Last year, Kristal Lyn Brown, Ph.D. received the same award. Brown earned her doctorate from the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences under the mentorship of Jessica LaRose, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the department.
Learn more about VCU School of Public Health here.
Categories Alumni, public health research