Meet Griffin Roberts, an SPH data science student passionate about building healthier, more sustainable communities.
Tell me about yourself.
“I grew up in Albertville, MN, about 40 minutes west of the Twin Cities. I completed my undergrad at the University of Minnesota, where I studied management information systems in the Carlson School of Management.”
What made you want to study public health?
“My freshman year of college was during COVID, and that was really my first introduction to public health. I remember constantly looking at the state COVID dashboards and tracking case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths. I became more interested in public health after seeing how it affects everyday life.”
Is there a specific area of public health you care most about?
“I’ve become really interested in building sustainable communities. I’ve been reading more about walkability, green space, and urban planning that focuses on people instead of cars or businesses. I think creating healthier, more connected communities has a big impact on collective health and well-being.”
Why did you choose to come to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health?
“I had a really positive experience during my undergrad, especially with the professors and the University administration at Carlson, so I expected a similar experience at the School of Public Health. I wanted to learn from professors who are experts in their fields and connected to a strong professional network, and that’s definitely been true so far. Every professor I’ve had has been incredibly knowledgeable.”
What has been your favorite class so far?
“My favorite class has probably been PubH 6741: Ethics of Public Health. It’s not something most people immediately think about when they think of public health, but it influences every decision in the field. We talked through real-world examples, especially related to COVID, and discussed why certain public health decisions were made, what the outcomes were, and what could have been handled differently. It made me realize how important ethics are in shaping public health policy and communication.”
What do you like to do outside of class?
“I like watching and playing soccer, spending time with friends, playing pickleball, and camping. I’m also on a recreational soccer team during the summer. My favorite team is Leeds United. My younger brother and I play on the same intramural teams together, which is a lot of fun.”
What do you like about living in Minnesota?
“Every month, I feel like I discover something new about Minneapolis. I live near the Stone Arch Bridge, and for the first time, I walked from my apartment to a Twins game downtown using the trails and paths. I really appreciate the parks, trails, and outdoor spaces here.”
Do you have any advice you’d give to someone interested in studying public health?
“Public health skills are really transferable. Epidemiologists and public health data scientists have strong analytical and quantitative skills that are valuable in a lot of different industries. I’m studying public health data science, so there’s the entire data science side of it that can apply to healthcare companies, insurance organizations, and medical device companies. Even if someone ends up working outside of traditional public health, they can still bring public health perspectives and values into those spaces and help create change that way.”
