Student Spotlight
Bhagyashree Nitin Rane
Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology | Graduating May 2026
What is a fun fact about you?
I developed recipe materials for a CDC-funded community health project targeting South Asian families in DFW, so I get to blend my love of food and cooking with my public health work!
What is one thing about yourself or one accomplishment of which you are particularly proud?
I am especially proud of contributing to a CDC-funded Community Health Ambassador initiative led by UNT Health faculty. We developed culturally tailored nutrition education materials for Indian, Pakistani, and Jain communities in DFW. I grew up in Mumbai and have a clinical background in Medical Nutrition Therapy, so being able to apply that expertise in a research setting here in Texas, for a population I deeply understand, has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my academic career.
What attracted you to UNT Health?
I was looking for a program where epidemiology was applied to real-world health disparities, not just theory. UNT Health’s focus on interprofessional health education and community-engaged research really stood out. The opportunity to work across disciplines and contribute to meaningful public health projects made it the right fit for me.
What student organizations, programs, activities are you involved in?
I serve as Secretary of the International Student Organization. I also completed my Practice Experience Internship at the Division of Academic Innovation, where I worked on continuing education effectiveness research. As a nutrition content developer, I have contributed culturally tailored materials to the South Asian Community Health Ambassador Project, a CDC-funded initiative coordinated through UNT Health. I am also an active volunteer with several campus and community organizations, most recently at the Health Literacy Collaborative Summit in April 2026.
If you could recommend students attend one campus activity or event, what would it be and why?
I would recommend the Health Literacy Collaborative Summit. It brought together public health professionals, educators, and community advocates in a way that felt genuinely impactful. We spend a lot of time in classrooms and behind screens, and events like this remind you of the human side of public health and the real communities we are working to serve.
What advice would you give to a student who is looking to make the most of their time at UNT Health?
Bring your full self to your work and look for places where your background connects with what UNT Health has to offer. I came in with a clinical nutrition background that didn't seem like an obvious fit for epidemiology at first, but it turned out to be one of my greatest strengths. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you, invest in your relationships with faculty and peers, and trust that your unique perspective adds value.
How has your UNT Health experience been so far?
It has been genuinely transformative. Coming from Mumbai as an international student, I was navigating a new country alongside a rigorous graduate program. The faculty, my internship supervisors, and the broader UNT Health community challenged me academically and supported me personally. I leave with skills in epidemiological methods, data analysis, and program evaluation, and with a much clearer sense of the kind of public health professional I want to be.
What are your plans after you finish at UNT Health?
I am pursuing opportunities in clinical research coordination and community-engaged public health research. I want to keep bridging my clinical nutrition background with epidemiological research methods in work that directly serves diverse and underserved communities across the DFW area and beyond.
If you’d be interested in being featured in an upcoming Student Spotlight or would like to recommend someone, please email studaffr@unthealth.edu.