Advocation - Change it Up!

For this episode, the Activist Lab welcomes Dr. Deborah Cragun, Professor and Director of the University of South Florida College of Public Health Genetic Counseling program and our resident expert in the field. Dr. Cragun discusses the uniqueness of our genetic counseling program, the history and future of the field, and the important role for advocacy for the profession, patients, and families as demand increases.Guest: Dr. Deborah Cragun, Professor and Director of the Genetic Counseling Program, University of South Florida College of Public Health

For this episode, the Activist Lab welcomes the 2026 USF College of Public Health graduates who also served as members of the Activist Lab Student Advisory Board. Learn how the students heard about the Activist Lab, why they chose to apply, what were their most meaningful experiences, and how advocacy will shape their futures. Also, the tables turn as the student also ask questions of Dr. Liller!

Guests: Graduates Manisha Katwal, Fiona Giardino, Naomi Itacy, and Hannah Thomas

For this episode, the Activist Lab welcomes Dr. Shaunesse’ Jacobs Plaisimond, Assistant Professor of Religion and Health at the University of South Florida.  Dr. Plaisimond discusses her background and research focused on the role for religion, spirituality, and personhood in all communities and how partnerships such as those with public health can lead to greater outcomes for all.

Guest: Dr. Shaunesse Plaisimond, Assistant Professor of Religion and Health, Department of Religious Studies, University of South Florida  

For this episode, the Activist Lab welcomes The Right Honourable Former First Minister of Scotland Henry McLeish and USF College of Public Health Dean Sten Vermund who discuss Alzheimer’s Disease in the US and Scotland, Scotland’ several initiatives and programs such as the Scottish Brain Health and Dementia Research Strategy Oversight Board, and how students and advocates can work together for greater brain health for all.   

Guests:  The Right Honourable Henry McLeish and Dr. Sten Vermund, Dean, USF College of Public Health.

For this episode, the Activist Lab welcomes our guests, Nazneen Pal and Aria Garling, public health advocates who also serve on the Florida Let’s Chat taskforce.  These public health professionals discuss the topics of loneliness and social isolation, reasons for the increase- especially among the younger generation, and strategies for change, including the work of the Health Buddies program (Seniors in Service) and more!

Guest:  Let’s Chat taskforce members Aria Garling, BA, Program Manager, Seniors in Service Program of Tampa Bay; and Nazneen Pal, MPH, Public Health Practitioner

For this episode, the Activist Lab welcomes Dr. Charles Lockwood, Executive Vice President of USF Health and Dean, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.  Dr. Lockwood discusses health and healthcare, including roles for USF Health in changing the health landscape now and into the future.  These areas include leadership strategies, curricula, policy and advocacy, interdisciplinary work, use of AI, and more--all while embracing and growing from current and future challenges and accomplishments.

Guest:  Dr. Charles Lockwood, Executive Vice President of USF Health, USF Health Dean, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Executive Vice President, USF Health Dean, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

For this episode, the Activist Lab welcomes our Spring 2025 graduates, Gabriella Hinks and Maria (Mia) Alamo-Worley,  who discuss why they joined the Activist Lab Advisory Board, what were their highlights, and how the Activist Lab has prepared them for the future.  

Guest:  Activist Lab Student Advisory Board members and 2025 graduates, Gabriella Hinks and Mia Alamo-Worley

For this episode, the Activist Lab welcomes Mr. Victor Crist, Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, and prior Florida legislator, to discuss his background, career and how working together across the aisle and with communities can bring about lasting change. 

Guest:  Mr. Victor Crist, Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

For our first podcast episode of 2025 the Activist Lab welcomes Dr. Sten Vermund, the new Dean of the College of Public Health, who discusses his background, reasons for relocating to Florida after serving as the Dean of the Yale School of Public Health, his vision for the future, the important role for advocacy for faculty, students, and staff, and more! 

Guest:  Dr. Sten Vermund, Dean of the USF College of Public Health, Distinguished University Health Professor of Public Health and Pediatrics, Senior Associate Vice President, USF Health, and Director, Cancer Control Prevention and Epidemiology Program, Tampa General Hospital

This podcast episode focuses on the internship experience of Activist Lab Student Advisory Board Member, Jenny Ho.  She discusses the internship experience in terms of her overall responsibilities, what a typical day in the life of an intern looked like, and how this experience has enriched her advocacy pursuits.  

Guest:  Ms Jenny Ho, Activist Lab Student Advisory Board Member and Undergraduate Student in the USF COPH.