Kasia Wiebel is a 4^th-year public health student with an interest in occupational and environmental health and injury prevention. She recently took time to answer some questions about her academic path and how her internship and study abroad experiences helped shape her future plans.

Where is your hometown?

Mount Vernon, IA

What is your degree/program of study?

I am in the Undergraduate to Graduate program, so I am in my fourth year of my BA in Public Health, and my first year of my MS in Occupational and Environmental Health with an injury prevention focus.

Why did you choose to study public health? What about it interests you?

I found out about public health during my first semester here at Iowa. My interests were in the medical field, and I knew I wanted to work in prevention, but I wasn’t sure how to get involved. I took Fundamentals of Public Health and Public Health Science during my second semester on campus and immediately knew that public health was where I wanted to be. Seeing how prevention, education, and policy work together towards the common goal of healthier communities inspired me and motivated me to continue pursuing this field.

What are your research interests?

My research interests are in Total Worker Health, with a focus on mental health resources and suicide prevention in the construction industry. After completing two summer onsite risk internships with construction companies in Cedar Rapids, I was able to observe the physical and mental health challenges faced by workers daily. Through directly engaging with workers to ensure that they go home safely every day, I developed a deeper understanding of how prevention strategies, workplace culture, and access to mental health resources can play a critical role in improving worker safety and long-term health outcomes.

It really interests me how much people’s careers affect their lives and physical and mental well-being. Some weeks people spend more time at work than with their families, and I think everyone deserves to have a safe and healthy workplace to ensure that they go home happy and healthy.

I am currently working under Jon Davis and the Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest through the ICRU fellowship. I have been looking into Peer Support resources within specific districts in Iowa.

Tell us about some of the activities you are involved in outside of the classroom. How are they valuable to you?

Early on, I made it a point to get involved in the College of Public Health. It really is so easy because I feel like there are so many great clubs and organizations in the college. I have been involved in quite a few but currently I am a Graduate Student Ambassador and the President of Here2Help.

Being a student ambassador has been great because I enjoy sharing my passion for public health with prospective students and helping them discover opportunities within the field. Before becoming a Graduate Student Ambassador, I worked with the Undergraduate Student Ambassadors, which allowed me to connect with students and introduce them to the many career paths in public health.

My other role is President of student-led mental health organization, Here2Help. Here2Help is still a newer organization, and we are currently working to increase our engagement in the college. Here2Help has been a really fun group to be a part of. Given that it is still new we are working on increasing engagement and creating more opportunities for students.

Tell us about your study abroad experience. Where did you go and what did you do there?

I studied abroad in Spring 2025 in Barcelona, Spain! I 1000% recommend studying abroad to other students, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I learned so much. When I was abroad, I did a full-time internship. I worked for a Biotech startup, called MedBioinformatics, as a digital marketing Intern. My role focused on marketing and promoting their DISGENET platform, a genetic database that links genes and diseases to support research and innovation in healthcare.

Although the position did not directly align with my current career goals in occupational and environmental health, it gave me valuable exposure to the intersection of technology, research, and health systems. Living and working in another country also allowed me to gain a global perspective on health and culture.

What are your career plans post-graduation?

Right now, I am hoping to work in the Occupational Health and Safety field, specifically in the construction industry. Through my internships I have found that I really love directly interacting with people. Whether that’s working with a team or walking around on a job site and educating workers to make sure they make it home safe.

What have you enjoyed most about your time at the College of Public Health?

I really enjoyed all the connections I have made and the hands-on learning within the classes I have taken at the college. The faculty are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely invested in student success. They are always willing to take time to talk with students, offer guidance, and help connect us with research, internships, and professional opportunities. The collaborative atmosphere within the college has helped me grow academically and professionally, and it has allowed me to build strong relationships with both faculty and fellow students.