Showcase 2025: MPH Student Blends Biomedical Sciences, Health Equity to Serve Community

By Erin Frick

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 1, 2025) — University at Albany’s Dayo Ogundimu has been interested in science for as long as he can remember. Inspired by his uncle who is a physician, Ogundimu has always envisioned a future in medicine. 

“From the time I was young, when people would ask, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ the answer has always been a doctor,” Ogundimu said. “I'm intrigued by the inner workings of the human body, and I’m also interested in how surrounding factors affect health and well-being. Growing up in diverse communities has shaped my passion for medicine and public health, as I have witnessed firsthand how social determinants influence health outcomes.” 

Ogundimu transferred to UAlbany during the COVID-19 pandemic, an experience which for him, shined a light on the importance of public health and the critical need to address gaps in health literacy and access to medical services to improve community-wide care. 

“The pandemic was a pivotal moment for me,” Ogundimu said. “As an African-American man, I became very aware of health disparities that were amplified during the crisis. I realized that without focusing on the impact of race and inequality on health outcomes, medical research and public health policies cannot truly serve the entire population.” 

The Poughkeepsie native completed his BS in Biology in 2023. Driven by the desire to become a well rounded physician capable of addressing population-scale health needs, he is now about to graduate with his Master of Public Health (MPH) from the College of Integrated Health Sciences. 

As an undergraduate, Ogundimu worked on a project with Associate Professor Betty Lin in the Department of Psychology, focusing on improving parents’ ability to support children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In a separate project conducted in collaboration with Columbia University at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Ogundimu examined racial disparities in maternal health outcomes with a focus on cardiac health. These experiences fueled his decision to pursue a certificate in health disparities as part of his MPH program. 

“My undergraduate research experiences, particularly those focused on health disparities, solidified my intent to pursue an MPH with a concentration in biomedical sciences. I saw that this path would bridge my interests in medicine, research and health equity, in order to create meaningful change.” 

Supporting community wellness

Since January, Ogundimu has served as an intern at the Schenectady City Mission Wellness Center, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping people struggling with addiction. In addition to providing food, clothing and shelter, City Mission offers onsite medical services and referrals, as well as support in securing employment.  

“As an intern at City Mission, I’ve worked with individuals navigating addiction recovery, mental health challenges and disabilities,” Ogundimu said. “My role involves advocacy, client engagement and data recording, all of which contribute to developing strategies for improving health outcomes in underserved communities. This experience has allowed me to apply my public health education in real world settings while gaining deeper insight into the barriers that vulnerable populations face when accessing healthcare.”

As part of his internship, Ogundimu was tasked with creating and administering a survey to gauge City Mission clients’ satisfaction with the center's services and programs. Findings will guide efforts to tailor resources to best serve clients' needs. “It's been a great experience talking to the City Mission residents, hearing their stories, connecting with them and just being able to see how the agency has helped them in their recovery efforts as well as basic life needs,” he said. 

Ogundimu believes strongly in the importance of clear, accessible health communication. As part of his work at City Mission, Ogundimu is creating a brochure to communicate the breadth of health and social services available at the Center. 

“Sharing information about health care, including things like the ins and outs of viruses and medicines, in a way that is accessible, can really help people in the long run,” Ogundimu said. “At a time when we are getting so much of our information from short TikTok videos and one-minute clips, being able to break health information down so that it's understandable is critical.

“I was born in Westchester and grew up in Poughkeepsie before moving upstate for college. I’ve been in private and public schools where I’ve met people from across the country. I believe these experiences have allowed me to develop strong interpersonal skills — connecting with people from different walks of life, empathizing and understanding how to have impactful conversations — all of which informs my efforts to convey health information in a way that makes sense and is personal to the individual.” 

UAlbany Showcase

Ogundimu will share his work at City Mission at UAlbany Showcase on April 30, focusing on the intersection of mental health, substance use disorders and healthcare accessibility.  

“My presentation will highlight the data I’ve gathered from the survey, showing the key trends in health disparities among the populations we serve, and potential recommendations to improve support systems for these communities,” Ogundimu said. “My work is ongoing, but so far, there has been a very positive response from the surveys, indicating a strong appreciation for the services and resources provided by the agency.

“One of my biggest takeaways from this internship has been the importance of holistic and culturally competent care. Many of the individuals we serve at City Mission face systemic barriers that go beyond medical treatment, including housing instability, food insecurity and limited access to mental health resources. Public health interventions must address these broader social determinants to be effective. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of advocacy and community-based solutions in bridging healthcare gaps.”

After graduating in May, Ogundimu will spend the coming year preparing for medical school, which he intends to begin in 2026. 

“After completing my MPH, I plan to attend medical school and specialize in a field that allows me to integrate clinical practice with public health research. My goal is to address health disparities both at the individual and systemic levels — providing direct patient care while contributing to biomedical research that informs the public. Ultimately, I want to be a physician who not only treats patients but also works to eliminate the inequities that impact health outcomes across diverse communities.” 

You can meet Dayo Ogundimu and learn more about his work at UAlbany Showcase on Wednesday, April 30. More than 140 students from the College of Integrated Health Sciences will be displaying their recent work at a poster session in Broadview Center from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.