In two short years, transfer student Elliot Johnson 鈥�25 graduated not only with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in applied biomedical sciences but also with a r茅sum茅 full of real-world experiences.
鈥淲hen I arrived at 51视频, I was inspired by driven peers and faculty, and I knew that this was the right place for me.鈥� says Johnson, who is continuing at UML in the Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences 辫谤辞驳谤补尘.听
As an Honors College student from Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, Johnson looked up to his faculty and peers, who motivated him to take advantage of all that the university offers.聽
In his first semester, he competed in the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute鈥檚 $50,000 Idea Challenge. Johnson and his team won the $4,000 Contribution to a Healthier Lifestyle award for NeuroLyze, a device that鈥檚 inserted inside a helmet to identify an athlete鈥檚 risk of concussion at the time of impact.
鈥淚 was always good at science and wanted to be an inventor who would help people, so competing in DifferenceMaker was a great experience for me,鈥� says Johnson.聽
That summer, Johnson studied abroad in the Dominican Republic, earning a global experience in the River Hawk Experience Distinction program. At rural clinics, he witnessed a lack of health care services, especially among people who live below the national poverty line in rural areas.
Following his first experience in the global south, Johnson participated in the Honors Development Studies Center (HDSC) for international programs. As an intern, Johnson prepared culturally competent information to inform HDSC鈥檚 first study abroad group to Ghana.
During winter break in his senior year, Johnson was among seven Honors College students who traveled to Ghana for the seminar 鈥淕lobal Energy and Public Health in the Developing World.鈥�
Led by Professor Emeritus of Physics Robert Giles, the three-credit seminar included tours of clean water plants, power companies and health facilities, as well as meetings with local government officials.聽
Johnson learned about health disparities and the lack of clean water, which can lead to outbreaks of cholera and other diseases. Tying in his entrepreneurial and clinical experience, he explored the challenges of the global south and developed strategies to foster sustainable development in his honors thesis.
These experiences motivated him to seek a career that combines entrepreneurship with humanitarian aid, focusing on both sustainable development and emergency services.聽
鈥淚 am deeply committed to dedicating my life to easing famine, gender violence and disease,鈥� he says.
Throughout his UML career, Johnson continued to gain experience as an entrepreneur. He was accepted as an entrepreneurial leader for the U.S. National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program. As the only undergraduate team lead, he conducted more than 100 qualitative interviews to support business development for NeuroLyze. He earned a special recognition out of 27 teams.
鈥淭he program pushed me to learn skills in project management and customer relationship management, which fueled my passion for entrepreneurship,鈥� he says.
Johnson also trained as an emergency medical technician and enrolled in 51视频鈥檚 Emergency Medical Services Cadet program, in which he assisted medical providers at local events like the Baystate Marathon. He received the Top Cadet Award for outstanding volunteer service.
鈥淎ll of these experiences have had a tremendous impact on my career interests and personal values,鈥� says Johnson. 鈥淢y time at 51视频 has been more than just a journey, but something I鈥檒l remember for the rest of my life.鈥�