Student Spotlight: Soumya Menon

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Meet Soumya Menon

Soumya Menon is a first-year MHS student in Health, Behavior, and Society degree program. As a communications professional and first-generation Indian American woman, Soumya's serendipitous research work in health communication fortified her interest in public health. Having previously worked with rural women in India, she knows first-hand the challenges in accessing, processing, and translating information to adopt health protective behaviors, especially for cancer prevention. Soumya's research interests lay at the intersection of communication inequalities, cancer disparities, implementation science, and community-based approaches.

  • Program: MHS in Health, Behavior and Society
  • Entry year: 2024
  • LinkedIn: Soumya Menon
  • Hometown: Bangalore, India/ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Fun Fact: I attended the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA), where I studied classical acting for six months and ran into (literally) the actor who played Dudley in the Harry Potter movies.

What sparked your interest in public health?

As a communications professional, I first became interested in public health through my work at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham's (Amrita University) Live-in-Labs® program, which aims to develop sustainable solutions for rural communities in India.

While working on several projects across India, I directly witnessed health disparities rooted in complex socio-economic inequities with a disproportionate burden on women and was always drawn to how our projects could bring about positive change in the health of the village women. I soon recognized the need for public health knowledge and decided to read about various theoretical frameworks and take online courses. 

I continued my project work, trying to apply whatever I had learned. During this time, I also became increasingly aware of the prevalence of cervical cancer deaths among rural Indian women. Low awareness, improper implementation of the national screening program, and limited access to the HPV vaccine due to its high cost were some of the barriers to prevention and early detection. This realization galvanized my interest in cervical cancer prevention through the lens of communication, prompting me to pivot into public health research and pursue a second master's degree. I am now committed to working towards identifying and addressing communication inequalities that contribute to cancer disparities and empowering women and girls from under-resourced communities globally with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.

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

HBS is one of the only departments in the country that offers a STEM-designated research-based master's degree in the area of social and behavioral sciences at a school of public health. Furthermore, the program offers training in mixed methods, rather than just quantitative or qualitative methods, specializing in community-based and participatory research approaches. 

These aspects were especially important to me as I was not only looking to transition into public health, but also later doing a PhD and felt the Department's research-driven MHS program would better prepare me than an MPH. I was also attracted to the Department's strength and leadership in health communication, both in the U.S. and around the world, and believed I could find a true academic home here—which I have. 

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

 I was quite nervous to come back to school after more than a decade away from the classroom, and even more nervous to enter a completely different field of study. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how kind, supportive, and patient all the faculty, staff, and students are, and I honestly could not have asked for a better place to be to help me transition into and succeed as a public health researcher. 

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

As I am in the middle of my first year of the MHS program, I haven't had the opportunity to engage in a research project yet. However, I look forward to securing a research placement at the School’s International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) for my master's thesis. I admire how IVAC is actively working with governments and organizations around the world to increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical and other forms of cancer. 

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

I am a trained Indian classical dancer, but greatly enjoy dancing in general and am always ready to go out and dance with friends! I also enjoy watching anime and am a fan of Hayao Miyazaki's work, with some of my favorite films being Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. I also have an eclectic taste in music, dabble in some cooking, enjoy watching plays as I still have a love for theater, and always look forward to friendly chats over a hot cup of masala chai. 

What are some of your favorite places in Baltimore? 

I finally did some exploring over winter break! Some of my favorite places are the Baltimore Aquarium, the Christmas Village, the Christmas tree outside the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, the waterfront promenade, and the Northeast Market. My favorite restaurants include Akira, Iron Rooster, BriknFire Pizza, Tandav, and Namaste Baltimore. 

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

You have a wonderful group of faculty, staff, and students at HBS who are here to work with you and help you learn and grow. Please leverage this and build your network. Also, do take classes outside your comfort zone as you may surprise yourself!

This interview has been edited and compressed.