Closing Gaps
Ohio Wesleyan Student Conducts Food Insecurity Research at the University of Pittsburgh
Name: Hunter Rhoades '27
Hometown: Zanesville, Ohio
High School: West Muskingum High School
Majors: Public Health, Nutrition, and Educational Studies
Minor: Biology
OWU Connection Experience: Completing a summer internship funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which included conducting research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, examining sociodemographic factors associated with food insecurity among university students, and supporting community food-access initiatives
"The program allowed me to conduct research on food insecurity through the University of Pittsburgh, work with United Way Southwestern Pennsylvania on food-access initiatives, participate in public health coursework, and learn alongside a cohort of other students interested in public health," Rhoades said.
Why This Opportunity?
"I pursued this opportunity because I wanted to expand my understanding of public health beyond the classroom and gain experience in both research and community-based practice. …
"Meeting CDC officials and other public health professionals also gave me the opportunity to learn about different career paths and how public health research can inform practice. The experience was meaningful because it connected my academic interests with real-world public health work and helped me better understand the field I hope to pursue as a career."
My Favorite Moment
"My favorite moment of the experience was meeting and speaking with CDC officials. Hearing directly from public health professionals about their work, career paths, and experiences made the field of public health feel more tangible to me. It was especially meaningful because I hope to pursue a career in epidemiology, and the conversations gave me a better understanding of the different ways I could apply my interests and skills to public health."
Experiences like this matter because they allow students to move beyond learning about public health in a classroom and begin applying those concepts to real-world problems.
Lessons Learned
"This experience taught me how the concepts I learn in the classroom, particularly epidemiology, social determinants of health, and data analysis, can be applied to real public health problems.
While in Pittsburgh, I also became more aware of disparities in food access and how differences in communities can shape people's health and opportunities. Through my research, I gained hands-on experience analyzing data and examining relationships between sociodemographic factors and food insecurity.
"These experiences strengthened my interest in epidemiology and showed me the importance of using data to understand health disparities while also considering the lived experiences of the communities behind the numbers.
"Experiences like this matter because they allow students to move beyond learning about public health in a classroom and begin applying those concepts to real-world problems."
What's Next?
"The research project from the summer is continuing beyond the program, as I am currently working toward developing the project into a publication.
"The experience also sparked a new research interest that I am pursuing on my campus. I am currently working to develop a research project examining culinary skills, cooking confidence, and nutritional confidence among international students.
"This experience showed me how one research project can lead to new questions and areas of interest, and I hope to continue building on these interests through future research."
My Campus Involvements
Rhoades serves as "Cooking Matters Coordinator, Public Health Student Leadership Council Co-President, Kappa Delta Pi President, Food Recovery Network Member, Harvest Table Dining Committee Member, and Resident Assistant."
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose to attend Ohio Wesleyan because of the small class sizes, internship opportunities, and proximity to Columbus, Ohio. I was also drawn to the Public Health program because of its interdisciplinary approach, opportunities for hands-on community engagement, and emphasis on applying classroom knowledge to real-world public health challenges."
My Plans After Graduation
"After graduation, I plan on pursuing an MPH (Master of Public Health) in Epidemiology, eventually leading to a Ph.D. OWU has prepared me for these goals by allowing me to approach public health from multiple disciplines. Through my coursework and research experiences, I have developed skills in epidemiology, data analysis, research methods, and communicating health information."