Honors Student Selected for Prestigious Public Health Scholars Program at Columbia University

After a nationally competitive process, second-year honors student Elijah Escobedo, expected to graduate in 2027, was one of 30 students selected for the Public Health Scholars Program at Columbia University in New York City.

The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) is designed for undergraduate students and its goal is to increase interest in and knowledge of public health and biomedical science careers.

SPHSP is a partnership of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, College of Dental Medicine, School of Nursing, and the Mailman School of Public Health. Together, they represent the broad spectrum of public health practice. SPHSP was awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Minority Health under the CDC John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Program.

This is a rigorous program that includes public health coursework at Columbia University; hands-on field experience and immersion in multi-sectoral public health issues; seminars and lectures with public health leaders; and mentoring by faculty members, ensuring student exposure to the breadth and importance of public health as a career option. This summer, Escobedo will be exposed to field experiences in New York City, participating in academic coursework ranging from epidemiology to biostatistics, as well as completing a final project.

Escobedo, who studies biomedical sciences at ISU, aspires to earn a master's degree in public health and an medical doctor degree to serve Idaho's large migrant community.

In his application, Escobedo describes how "as a native Idahoan, I have become aware of the state’s high rate of skin cancer in the agriculture and dairy industries through personal and familial experiences." Escobedo explained, "I aspire to be a multilingual dermatologist who provides health education and skin assessments within rural Idaho communities by providing marginalized populations with sufficient knowledge about their health risks for skin cancer."

Recently, Escobedo was awarded the Bobette Wilhelm Memorial Scholarship in recognition of his work in the community as a certified nursing assistant, his research in Dr. Heather Ray's lab, as well as serving as a Collaborative Research Fellow for the University Honors Program.