Michelle Lu
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
Given my background in health equity research and a passion for understanding the social determinants of health, I decided to pursue a graduate degree in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene to explore an understudied population within health research. Through this graduate program, I have been able to participate in and contribute to meaningful research that I hope can, one day, improve workplace safety and health standards, particularly in the face of climate change and gender-specific challenges.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
I chose to pursue graduate studies at UBC because of the extremely supportive faculty at the School of Population and Public Health, the innovative research that is being done in the field of occupational and environmental health and the beautiful campus!
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
Before entering the program, I was able to meet with some of the OEH faculty members and I was shocked by their warm welcome and encouraging environment. I was immediately excited to get started. Specific to my program, we are a small cohort of students and I have been able to grow as a learner within this environment and work on my confidence as a new researcher.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
The best surprise about UBC was all the gardens on campus, I especially love visiting the Rose Garden in May when all the flowers are blooming! The cherry blossom trees are also a nice bonus!
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
What has best prepared me for graduate school has been my interdisciplinary knowledge. It has pushed me to think beyond traditional boundaries regarding health policy and especially with environmental health policy. There is value in utilizing different forms of knowledge, and recognizing this is important in health research and policy when both impact diverse populations and contexts.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
Don't get too caught up on making mistakes. It is always better to find ways to move past them than to dwell on them. You are still learning!
