Tamanna Afroj
Hometown
Noakhali, Bangladesh
Degree in Progress
PhD in Epidemiology
Research Focus
Maternal and Child Health
Favorite Color
Blue
Favorite movie
Three idiots
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love to watch movies and listen to my favorite songs during my spare time.
What inspired your interest in pursuing your degree?
I started with a background in dentistry, which gave me a clinical perspective on health. Later, through my Master’s, I found a passion for research in maternal and child health, and that’s what inspired me to pursue my PhD in epidemiology.
Why did you choose to study at MSU?
Michigan really feels like a second home to me. I loved my time here during my master’s at Central Michigan University, so it felt right to stay for my PhD. I chose MSU because of its strong research reputation, the department’s expertise in maternal and child health, and the supportive environment for international students.
What has been one of your best experiences within graduate school so far?
I was involved in a statewide hunger study where I had the opportunity to collect data firsthand and travel to many cities across Michigan with the research team, which was an incredible learning experience.
What do you want others to know about this program?
I’d want others to know that this program is more than just strong academics and research. It’s a supportive and collaborative environment. You get great training, but you also feel part of a community that genuinely wants you to succeed.
What are some of the best things about being an MSU/Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics student?
What I love most about being in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is the incredible support system. People care not just about your academics and research, but also about you as a person. That support really made a difference for me, especially during one of the challenging times.
Any thoughts or advice for current students?
I’d say make the most of every opportunity, get involved, connect with people, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
What are your future plans?
For now, my priority is to finish my dissertation, but looking ahead, I really hope to stay in academia. I want to keep doing research in the maternal and child health field and use my work to make a lasting impact on families and communities.