Mara Kuzmich, a master’s degree student in food safety in the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences, was selected as a recipient of the 2024 NEHA/AAS Graduate Scholarship Award.
“The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) represents more than 7,100 governmental, private, academic and uniformed services sector environmental health professionals in the U.S., its territories and internationally. NEHA is the profession’s strongest advocate for excellence in the practice of environmental health as it delivers on its mission to build, sustain and empower an effective environmental health workforce. The scholarship program aims to encourage early commitment by students to pursue a career in environmental health.”
Kuzmich is an Environmental Health Specialist with El Paso County Public Health in Colorado, where she applies her knowledge of veterinary medicine and public health protection. She received her bachelor’s degree in public health, cum laude, from BYU-Idaho, her veterinary medicine degree from UFERSA-Brazil, and is currently enrolling in the Arkansas State University Master of Science in Food Safety program.
Kuzmich has experience developing public health programs, most notably as a subject matter expert on a team that devised a comprehensive mosquito management program to battle dengue illness in Brazil. Her dedication to public health is demonstrated by her research publications and active involvement in disease prevention education in the community. In addition to her professional pursuits, Kuzmich enjoys archery and hosting gourmet events for friends and family.
“It is an honor to receive the 2024 NEHA/AAS Graduate Scholarship Award,” she said. “This environmental health scholarship eases the financial burden of school, helping me pursue a career and education that combines my clinical knowledge, passion for zoonotic disease prevention and food safety with a commitment to health education and creative advocacy for a healthier, more resilient society.”