Current Students

Meet some of our current students in Occupational Ergonomics and Safety and Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. We will introduce students from other concentrations soon.


Occupational & Environmental Hygiene


Occupational Epidemiology


Occupational Ergonomics & Safety


Name: Homero Harari


Country of origin: Ecuador
Degree & Concentration: Doctoral candidate, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene
UMass Lowell Email: Homero_Harari@student.uml.edu

Research:
Research assistant in a project to assess alternatives to control silica exposure in construction workers.
I also collaborate with the Sustainable Hospitals Program of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production in a Project to Eliminate Mercury in Hospitals in Mexico and Ecuador.

Why a student at DWE?:
In occupational and environmental health there are enough problems and we need to work to find solutions! For that reason, I wanted to study in a program where I can combined research to understand problems and actions to solve them.  I learned of DWE (Department of Workforce Education) in conferences I have attended where I met faculty and staff. I was always impressed about the quality of their work as well as their commitment to Occupational Health. I found out that DWE is a very prestigious program and several colleagues recommended me it. Since then,  I always wanted to be part of it.  I was happy to be accepted and I am proud to be a student in this department where I have the opportunity to learn how to conduct research and how to benefit workers from it. 

Other activities/Hobbies:
Work with peer students to strengthen the activities of the Work Environment Student Association – WESA and the Graduate Student Association-GSA at UMass Lowell. Hiking, Sports (soccer, ping pong, racquetball).


Name:Clinton Smith


Country of Origin: USA
Degree & Concentration: Masters of Science, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
UMass Lowell Email:Clinton_Smith@student.uml.edu

Why a Student at DWE?:
In May 2009 I received my B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy with a minor in Industrial Hygiene from Clarkson University. The IH classes I took my senior year spurred my initial interest in the field. I chose a capstone project relating to this area of research in which I analyzed volatile organic compounds off-gassed from common household air fresheners. Feeling the need to gain more knowledge in this field of study I applied to the UMass Lowell Department of Work Environment (DWE) because of its extraordinary faculty and its ABET accreditation for the Masters Program in Industrial Hygiene. I am confident this program will contribute significantly to my future career in the Occupational and Environmental Hygiene field.
 
Hobbies: Skiing, Hiking, Camping, Snowmobiling, Hunting, Soccer and Tennis.


Name: Adel Abou Ali


Country of origin: Egypt
Degree & Concentration: Doctoral candidate, Occupational Epidemiology
UMass Lowell E-mail: Adel_abouali@student.uml.edu

Research: 
Currently I am working under Dr. Kriebel's supervision in collaboration with Massachusetts Department of Public Health on sharps injuries. The project is funded by Harvard-NIOSH Education and Research Center, and aims to explore the effects of different safety mechanisms of sharp devices on sharps injuries rates.

Why a student at DWE?:
I learned about DWE when I was a master degree student in Health Management and Policy at UML. Three of my professors there were graduates of Work Environment. Their work and enthusiasm about the role of education and universities in serving surrounding communities made me curious to find out more about the program at Work Environment. Then I met with Dr. David Kriebel and I couldn't help but to apply for the doctoral program in Epidemiology. Now it is my second year here, and everyday there is something new to learn.

Hobbies: Reading and Hiking


Name: Yaritza Roberts


Country of origin: Puerto Rico
Degree & Concentration: Master's of Science, Occupational Epidemiology
UMass Lowell E-mail: Yaritza_Roberts@student.uml.edu

Why a student at DWE?:
In 2006, I graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Health Science. After being out of school for several years, I decided to go back to school to obtain a master's degree. My goal was to be in a graduate program with small class sizes, hands-on learning, and caring instructors.  After learning about the Department of Work Environment at UMass Lowell, I felt that the program provided exactly what I was looking for. As a mother, I was hesitant to take the next step. Looking back now, I am happy I did. Currently, I am working on analyzing data from a study of injuries to employees (nursing aides and nurses) before and after the implementation of resident lifting equipment in nursing homes. This is one part of a large research effort called Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace that is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. I am very proud to be learning while working to make a difference in the lives of others.

Hobbies: Reading, drawing, cooking, baking, zumba-dancing, and having fun with my children.


Name: Alicia Kurowski


Country of origin: USA
Degree & Concentration: Doctoral candidate, Occupational Ergonomics/Safety
UMass Lowell E-mail: alicia_kurowski@student.uml.edu

Research: 
I am currently working on the evaluation of ergonomic exposures of nursing assistants in nursing homes before and after an intervention.  I am examining changes in postures, manual handling, and equipment use after the introduction of a No-Lift program.  I will also be developing an index of physical workload to evaluate the effects of multiple exposures on nursing assistants over a two-year time period.

Why a student at DWE?:
I graduated from Northeastern University in 2004 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering.  While there, I took classes in work design and human machine systems, which introduced me to the topics of ergonomics and human factors.  I became more passionate about these topics than traditional Industrial Engineering topics, and in my junior year I became a student member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society so I could learn about graduate programs and careers.  One year after finishing my undergraduate degree, I applied to the Occupational Ergonomics masters program and was accepted.  At the end of my first year I began working on a health-care workers research project, which aligned well with my interests and was fulfilling.  At this point I decided to apply to the doctoral program to continue my work on ergonomic exposure assessment of health care workers.

Hobbies: reading, painting, cooking, traveling, the Red Sox.


Name: Gloria Foley


Country of origin: USA
Degree & Concentration: Masters of Science, Ergonomics and Safety
Student E-mail: Gloria_Foley@student.uml.edu

Why a student at DWE?:
Having been employed for more than 20 years in the industrial and financial work environment, I witnessed many co-workers and colleagues develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Musculoskeletal Disorders. This prompted me to begin exploring a new career path where I could make a difference. In the summer of 2008, I met with Dr. Brunette to learn more about the DWE program and was immediately sold on the Concentration in Ergonomics and Safety.

Hobbies: 
Designing/sewing western fashion clothing for my daughter's horse shows, attending and helping out at horse shows, designing/sewing contemporary quilts, long walks, reading & mentoring high school students.