Jesus Pizano

What inspired you to study public health?

Growing up in a rural town, I was exposed to numerous disparities that deeply impacted my community. Holding intersecting identities: being low-income, a first-generation college student, the son of Spanish-speaking immigrants, and LGBTQ I faced obstacles that were compounded by these factors. The concept of intersectionality became personal as I saw how these challenges were unique to people like me, especially compared to those in larger cities with better access to resources. It wasn’t until I attended college that I realized others didn’t necessarily experience these same struggles. In my first public health course, I learned how our environment shapes health outcomes, and I became fascinated by the research conducted by UC Davis professors aimed at addressing these inequities. This sparked my passion to continue studying public health and work toward solutions that can positively impact communities like my own.

What has been a meaningful public health experience during your undergraduate program?

During my undergraduate program (Undergraduate Public Health Scholars at UC Davis), a meaningful public health experience was my work with Dr. Falbe as part of her lab. I contributed to an NIH-funded study evaluating the world’s first healthy checkout policy, conducting data entry on numerous products in store checkout lanes to characterize the healthfulness of store environments. This summer, I took on a concentrated project focusing on the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco products at food store checkouts across various stores in California. It was interesting learning how product placement influences purchasing behavior and understanding the different types of products and related regulations. As a result of this research, I recently had the opportunity to present my findings at UC Davis’s first tobacco cessation summit, where I learned from policymakers and other public health advocates working on tobacco control in California. Additionally, the weekly lessons during the SPH summer course offered me a deeper grasp of public health and research methods. Presentations from graduate students and our coordinator, Dr. Ko, provided a great knowledge for my future in public health.

What kind of job are you hoping to pursue after graduation?

While I don’t have an exact position in mind, I am aiming to pursue a Master’s in Public Health and work with state or local agencies, particularly in rural counties, to develop and implement strategies that address health disparities. I want to focus on creating equitable health interventions, improving access to healthcare resources, and collaborating with communities to ensure that public health initiatives are both culturally relevant and sustainable. My goal is to contribute to policies and programs that have an impact on underserved populations, ensuring they receive the same quality of care and resources as more urbanized areas.

What would you tell a peer who was thinking about majoring in public health?

I would definitely tell a peer that public health is an incredibly rewarding major. It offers a comprehensive understanding of how various systems interact and why certain communities continue to face marginalization, highlighting the need for change. As you take more classes, you not only gain knowledge but also develop a deeper passion for creating positive change and advocating for equity. I will say, some topics that are covered can be emotionally challenging, but they often serve as motivation to take action and advocate for those who are underserved. Public health also helps you appreciate the privileges you may have, as you become more aware of the disparities others face and feel empowered to work toward impactful solutions that improve the well-being of communities.

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