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Student Spotlight: Allison Zhang

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Headshot of Allison Zhang

Allison Zhang is a second-year MSPH student in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with an early graduation of December 2025. 

What sparked your interest in public health?

I have always aspired to help others. During my childhood, I lost my grandmother to a heart attack in an understaffed and under-resourced hospital. I wanted answers to one thing: if she was in the one place she could be saved, how did she die? The feeling of powerlessness in preventing her death stayed with me. This ignited my passion for public health.

What led you to join the Department of Health, Behavior and Society? 

My undergraduate thesis focused on fetal development through maternal health factors in the scope of cultural, socioeconomic, and psychological realms. I believe all these realms are crucial to understanding people’s behavior and choices. 

HBS acknowledges the significance of social conditions and their impact on health, making it the perfect symphony of my specific interests and public health. 

What’s an academic highlight you've experienced during your time as an HBS student? 

During my first year at the Bloomberg School, I served as a legislative policy analyst for the Maternal and Child Health Bureau at the Maryland Department of Health. This experience sparked my interest in advocacy and health care law. In the spring of my first year, I declared a Certificate in Public Health Advocacy and took several classes with professors I admired. Having the opportunity to pursue my academic interests and learn from experts in the field has been an indescribable experience. 

What’s a research highlight you have experienced during your time as an HBS student? 

I have always been intrigued by maternal and child health. Recently, I served as a graduate research assistant for the Early Childhood Services Research Program with the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health at the Bloomberg School. During this research experience, I researched early intervention, intimate partner violence, and child welfare to establish national standards of care for home visiting agencies. 

Knowing that my research will help thousands of mothers and children has been nothing short of incredible.

Outside of public health, what are some of your hobbies, interests, and personal passions? 

I’m a firm believer that most problems can be fixed with a good movie and a hearty meal. My favorite genre of movies is coming of age, where I frequently rewatch Good Will Hunting, The Dead Poets Society, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Growing up, I also enjoyed Studio Ghibli movies, like My Neighbor Totaro, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo. I also love cooking for my family and friends! If I can get the ingredients and kitchenware, there isn’t a recipe I won’t try to make from scratch. 

What are some of your favorite places in Baltimore? 

My favorite things to do in Baltimore include going to the Baltimore Aquarium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore is filled with good cafes including Cafe Dear Leon, Ceremony Coffee, and Sistah’s Sweets. 

What advice do you have for prospective students interested in joining the HBS community? 

No matter your background, work experience, or interests, there’s space for you in the HBS community. Take up space, pursue your passions, and lean on your village. You never know what might happen when you step outside of your comfort zone—a whole new world waits for you right around the corner. 

This interview has been edited and compressed. Views expressed are the subject's own. 

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