Environmental Health, Climate & Sustainability Alumni Profile
Paula Dinh
Paula Dinh obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State
University New Orleans (LSUNO, formally known as University of New Orleans) in 2019.
Ms. Dinh is a recent Master of Public Health graduate from the Louisiana State University
Health Science Center - New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO) with a concentration in Environmental
Health, Climate, and Sustainability. Prior to graduation, Ms. Dinh worked as a Lab
Technician in the Department of Animal Care and as a Research Associate in the Cardiovascular
Center of Excellence Department of Pharmacology at LSUHSC-NO. Currently, she is a
12-Month Dr. James A. Ferguson Fellow at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan
with research projects focused on rapid detection monitoring of microbial contaminants
in watersheds and recreational beaches in Southeast Michigan and wastewater surveillance
of Candida auris. Upon completion of the 12-Month Dr. James A. Ferguson Fellowship,
Paula desires to use her research background and passion for public health to assist
in shaping public health policy and research efforts that address emerging environmental
and infectious disease challenges.
Phillip Tilson
Originally from Cincinnati but have been living in New Orleans for the last 11 years
and have no plans of leaving. Prior to enrolling at LSUHSC School of Public Health
I had a bachelors degree in environmental science from the University of Arizona.
Graduated from the LSUHSC School of Public with an MPH and an emphasis in environmental
and occupational health in 2015. After graduating from LSUHSC I have worked as an
environmental/safety consultant for the Louisiana Cancer Research Center and the NASA
Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Currently working for Lockheed Martin in
the Gulf Region as a senior Environmental/Safety Engineer. Fun fact about me, ever
since I have moved to New Orleans I have developed a deep love for Mardi Gras and
have ridden in at least six different krewes, three of which were super krewes; currently
riding in the Krewe of Bacchus.
William Wisen
William Wisen obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a minor in Business
Management from Tulane University in 2021. Mr. Wisen is currently pursuing a dual
degree – Medical Doctor (MD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration
in environmental health (EHCS) – from LSUHSC School of Medicine and School of Public
Health. He intends to practice emergency medicine and utilize his knowledge of adverse
effects that the environment and toxic chemicals have on patient populations. He hopes
to raise awareness of other key public health concerns throughout his career as a
physician.
William is an active member of the Student Government Association (SGA) at the School of Public Health, holding the board position of Treasurer. He frequently volunteers at Ozanam Inn, a local health clinic providing specialized for unhoused individuals and recently assisted in establishing the Patient Navigation Collaborative (PNC), also holding the executive board position of Case Coordinator. The PNC is a newly formed organization that pairs unhoused, uninsured, or otherwise underprivileged individuals with medical students who then assist in providing the appropriate care to meet the needs of the individual. William also serves as the Finance Chair for Krewe Du Flu, an LSUHSC affiliated organization that provides flu shots at no cost to unhoused, uninsured, or otherwise underprivileged individuals throughout the New Orleans area.
William has actively participated in research and publications with both the New Orleans UMC Emergency Department and the Baton Rouge OLOL Emergency Department. He plans to present his findings again at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) in 2025.