Alumni Feature: Building a Public Health Career Through Research, Mentorship and Opportunity

For Michael Clark, choosing the OU Hudson College of Public Health meant more than earning a graduate degree—it meant joining a community that opened doors to research, mentorship and a meaningful career in public health.

After graduating with a Master of Science in Epidemiology in 2023, Clark now serves as Senior Evaluation Project Coordinator, working with both UPAER alongside Rebekah Rhodes and the Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education (ONIE) Project alongside Meredith Scott. His work focuses on improving nutrition, increasing physical activity and strengthening school wellness initiatives across Oklahoma, while continuing infectious disease research that began during graduate school.

Clark's path to epidemiology began while studying immunology and virology at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he became fascinated by how diseases spread through populations.

While working overnight shifts in the emergency department at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, he initially planned to become a physician assistant. But experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic firsthand changed his perspective.

"I wanted to make a difference in my community, but not through direct patient care—on a larger scale."

That decision ultimately led him to Hudson College, where classroom learning quickly evolved into hands-on research and professional opportunities.

One of the defining experiences of Clark's graduate education came through the college's emphasis on research. Working alongside faculty, he explored infectious disease modeling while gaining practical experience that extended far beyond the classroom.

His favorite course, Infectious Disease Methods with Dr. Aaron Wendelboe, sparked an even deeper interest in disease modeling. That interest led to a collaborative research project with Dr. Justin Dvorak, where the team developed a computer simulation to estimate a COVID-19 outbreak at a theme park—work they are preparing for publication.

"Getting that kind of hands-on experience while you're still in school is incredibly valuable and really helps set you up for success."

Clark says those opportunities were possible because Hudson College faculty actively involve students in meaningful research and encourage them to pursue projects that match their interests.

He also credits the college's strong relationships with public health organizations for helping students build professional networks long before graduation.

"Our professors are well connected with public health agencies across the country, which means you can work on research topics that interest you and also make great connections for jobs after graduation."

Today, Clark continues building upon the experiences he gained at Hudson College. Through ONIE, he supports initiatives that promote healthy eating and physical activity among Oklahoma SNAP participants. Through UPAER, he works with schools statewide to strengthen wellness policies that improve student health. At the same time, he continues advancing infectious disease modeling research that began during his graduate studies.

For prospective students, Clark's advice is simple: get involved early.

He encourages students to seek out graduate research assistantships and take advantage of every opportunity to work alongside faculty, explaining that those experiences not only strengthen classroom learning but also create pathways to future careers.

Through research, mentorship and experiential learning, Clark's journey reflects what makes Hudson College unique: a place where students don't just learn about public health—they actively contribute to it while building the skills, relationships and confidence to launch successful careers.