January 2, 2024 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
Christina Ek’s third USC commencement took place last month, rounding out a trio of degrees that have prepared her for a career fighting pollution. As a Columbia area native, attending the state’s flagship university in her hometown was a natural fit, and her journey began in 2009.
During her undergraduate tenure, Ek majored in both experimental psychology and biological sciences. Her minor in marine science and research experience as a member of the South Carolina Honors College sparked her interest in the intersection of the environment and public health, and she decided to pursue a master’s degree in the field.
While a Master of Public Health student in the Arnold School’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ek gained experience with professor Jamie Lead’s South Carolina SmartState Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk (CENR). She also collected data related to children’s physical activity for researchers in the Department of Exercise Science and volunteered with USC’s Foodshare chapter and the on-campus sustainable garden at West Quad. Ek was awarded the Winona B. Vernberg Bicentennial Fellowship and served on the Dean’s Student Advisory Council during her master’s program as well.
I have learned much about the impacts of pollution and possible solutions through both courses and research. I feel that the graduate student atmosphere at the Arnold School is very conducive to helping students succeed.
As a student in the Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences program, she continued working with CENR, focusing on the use of natural biologicals such as beneficial algae to promote sustainable agriculture, eliminating the use of fertilizers and pesticides to enhance crop production. The Norman J Arnold Doctoral Fellow also expanded her experiences to include a graduate teaching assistantship with her department and a graduate research assistantship with the College of Nursing. She graduated last month with a 4.0 GPA and a passion for addressing pollution, especially of water, and improving diets.
“I have learned much about the impacts of pollution and possible solutions through both courses and research,” says Ek, who plans to work for an agency to help curb pollution. “I feel that the graduate student atmosphere at the Arnold School is very conducive to helping students succeed.”
Ek points out that an important part of that success is developing connections with faculty. These relationships are essential to successfully navigating coursework and finding opportunities after graduation.
“Dr. Geoff Scott has been my mentor and advisor, and his help as been invaluable to me throughout my time as a student and researcher,” she says. “Dr. Dwayne Porter is an excellent graduate director. All my professors have offered advice and encouraged me in developing connections.”
