Originally from Onitsha in Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Alex N. Egbuchiem discovered his passion for public health during his clinical practice. Day after day, he treated patients suffering from chronic respiratory conditions — cases that often traced back to environmental factors. Whether it was the thick smog from industrial activity or fumes from congested traffic, the link between air quality and respiratory illness became hard to ignore. Living near a construction company that operated an asphalt plant only deepened his awareness of how environmental toxins could harm a community’s health.
This growing concern pushed Dr. Egbuchiem to think beyond clinical care. While treating patients offered immediate relief, he realised the root of the problem lay in larger systems, like weak environmental policies, insufficient regulation, and the socio-economic barriers many communities face. Addressing these issues, he believed, would require broader public health solutions. That led him to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Centre (UNMC).
“UNMC stands out for its commitment to addressing health challenges through innovative research and community engagement,” says Dr. Egbuchiem. “I was especially captivated by the groundbreaking work of esteemed faculty members such as Professor Eleanor Rogan, whose studies on environmental carcinogens are pivotal in shaping public health policies, and Dr. Cheryl Beseler, whose exploration of occupational health and safety significantly contributes to improving workplace conditions.”
Photos taken for the College of Public Health in the Harold M. and Beverly Maurer Center for Public Health on Monday, September 18, 2023.
UNMC has been tackling major public health challenges since 1869. As Nebraska’s first medical college, it’s grown into a hub for health innovation, with six colleges and over 4,700 students. Its MPH programme stands out for how it covers the full spectrum of environmental health, from the air we breathe to the places we work and live.
The programme is built on a solid foundation of toxicology, ecological health, and workplace safety. It trains students to identify risks and create practical solutions, especially in agriculture and industry areas where environmental exposures are often overlooked. This approach aligns perfectly with Dr. Egbuchiem’s passion for protecting vulnerable communities through prevention.
“This discipline delves deeply into the various occupational hazards that workers encounter, with a particular emphasis on the exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as pesticides, which pose significant risks to farmers and others in agricultural and industrial sectors,” he says. “By focusing on this study area, I can merge clinical insights with environmental science principles, thereby enabling the design of evidence-based strategies that aim to promote and safeguard the health of communities at large.”
That mix of practical skills and research sets the programme apart. “Unlike many programmes nationwide or globally, we have the advantage of being directly connected to Nebraska’s only academic health science centre with a proven track record in managing global health emergencies,” says Dr. John Lowe, Chair and Professor for the Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health.
And that advantage is clear in the way faculty teach. Here, the faculty act as both researchers and practitioners. Take Dr. Lauren Sauer, for example, who leads efforts in the Global Outbreak Response Network, or Dr. Jesse Bell, whose work on climate and health has influenced national strategies. Their research doesn’t stay in labs or journals — it gets brought directly into the classroom.
Dr. Lowe himself brings valuable frontline experience into his teaching. “In my own teaching, I incorporate my experiences leading Nebraska’s Biocontainment Unit during the Ebola crisis and the National Quarantine Unit during COVID-19,” he says. “Students learn not just theoretical concepts but practical approaches to infection control, emergency preparedness, and health security that have been tested in real-world crises.”
UNMC faculty’s diverse research portfolio — from laboratory science to field-based community research — allows students to explore multiple public health dimensions. Source: University of Nebraska Medical Centre
This real-world preparation is something students consistently value. For Dr. Egbuchiem, the programme has strengthened both his technical knowledge and his ability to act. “The coursework has provided me with a comprehensive foundation in environmental health, developing both the technical expertise and hands-on experience essential for designing, implementing, and assessing effective interventions,” he says. “I have gained skills in analysing various exposure pathways, such as air and water quality, and chemical exposure. This knowledge allows me to understand how these factors impact community health outcomes.”
Beyond the classroom, UNMC’s partnerships give students further practical experience. Organisations like the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Centre (NETEC), the Water, Climate and Health Programme, and the Central States Centre for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) offer hands-on opportunities to apply what they’ve learned. Students also work with Nebraska Medicine, gaining access to specialised units like the Nebraska Biocontainment and National Quarantine Units.
These experiences translate into strong career outcomes. More than 90% of MPH students land jobs within a year of graduating. They go on to work in public health departments, non-profits, and global health organisations — leading disease prevention, health policy, and community programmes.
Dr. Egbuchiem plans to use his training to lead prevention-focused efforts in both the US and Nigeria. He wants to address chronic diseases rooted in environmental exposure, and UNMC has equipped him with the skills to do just that. “Through hands-on laboratory experiences, engaging in community-based studies, and collaborating with experts in various fields, I have honed my ability to analyse complex health data and understand the nuanced interactions between environmental exposures and health outcomes,” he says.
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