Honoring academic excellence and Black History Month
Three School of Public Health students were recognized with the 2026 Carter G Woodson Award, presented by the Department of African American Studies on February 25.
Esse Foka Nzaha, B.S., M.P.H., is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Epidemiology. She will defend her dissertation and graduate this May. After graduation, she plans to continue her research of West African immigrants and improve health outcomes for her community.
“This award is a form of motivation. A motivation to continue to work for my community with the means given to me,” said Foka Nzaha.
“Esse has strong analytical skills and a dedication to advancing the public health field. She has served as both a teaching assistant and a research assistant mentoring first year Ph.D. students,” said Chrisa Arcan, Ph.D., who nominated Foka Nzaha for this award.
Last fall, Foka Nzaha was awarded the competitive Graduate Student Dissertation Assistantship. She has also presented a poster at the Society of Behavioral Medicine and her research will be included in an oral presentation at the ISBNPA 2026 Annual Meeting in May.
Brianna Marshall, M.P.H., is a first-year epidemiology Ph.D. student who wants to pursue a faculty career combining her passion for health equity and community engagement.
Last fall, Marshall received the Southern Regional Education Board Doctoral Scholars Program Award, which aims to provide financial support, leadership opportunities, networking events, and intensive professional development to students who choose to become faculty at colleges and universities. She has presented at the 2025 American Public Health Association’s Annual Conference and the APHA Women’s Caucus. Her abstract, “Racial Disparities in Cervical Cancer Prevalence in the South Atlantic Region: A Cross-Sectional Analysis,” won the highest-scoring abstract award from the APHA Women’s Caucus.
“Carter G. Woodson left a long legacy of highlighting Black history and uplifting the achievements of Black Americans. It is an incredible honor to receive this recognition in his name during Black History Month and the first year of my doctoral program,” Marshall said. “It fuels my commitment to contributing to public health, engaging with my community, and promoting health equity. I really appreciate my advisor, Dr. Emily Zimmerman, and the Department of Epidemiology for helping me grow as a student and a researcher.”
The third awardee is Akpene Tetteh, M.S., a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Health Policy. Tragically, Tetteh passed away a few weeks before the ceremony. Members of her family accepted the award on her behalf.
Learn more about Tetteh’s incredible accomplishments and life here.
Categories Awards, Department news, News