A global health and public policy studies major, Kate Seneshen got her first taste of community-engaged research in summer 2023 as part of DGHI’s Student Research Training (SRT) team in Pamlico County, N.C. where she worked with health organizations in the rural county to improve management of chronic diseases. She spent much of her Duke career refining an interest in women’s health, including completing independent research in Cuzco, Peru, on social determinants of teen pregnancy and transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV). This spring, her honors thesis on that research was recognized as the most outstanding student project by the Sanford School of Public Policy.
Seneshen, who aspires to become a social epidemiologist working on equity-driven approaches to women’s health, recently began an internship with the United Nations Foundation, where she will work on assessments of pandemic risk. She will also be working as a research and teaching associate in the global health department at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.
Originally from Denver, Seneshen was active with student organizations at Duke, including Partners in Health Engage, the Global Health Student Union and the Duke field hockey club. Her research in Peru was mentored by Ernesto Ortiz, M.D., senior manager of programs with the Duke Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health.
In a few words, how would you describe your experience in global health at Duke?
I developed a passion for addressing health inequities and the research and technical skills to do so.
What was your favorite memory from your global health studies?
After developing research skills through DGHI’s student research training program in Pamlico County, NC, I designed and led my own studies on teenage pregnancy and HPV prevention in Peru’s Cusco region in partnership with VIDAWASI Global Health. I spent two summers living in Peru, interviewing young mothers and secondary school students, co-designing sexual health education interventions, and getting to know the community. It was an unforgettable experience, and I will take everything I learned into my future global health work.
Seneshen in Peru, where she conducted...
Is there a lesson you’ve learned from your global health experience that you will carry with you?
DGHI taught me how to engage in cross-cultural spaces to improve health outcomes. I learned how to flexibly adapt to the realities of local communities and analyze and mobilize data to make change.
As you graduate, is there something for which you’re particularly grateful?
I’m so grateful for the fieldwork opportunities that Duke has funded, and the incredible faculty mentors I have had the privilege of learning from.
