Latest Talks, Events & Media
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Latest Talks, Events & Media *
Here you’ll find my latest media interviews, talks, and events. This space is where I share ideas and help spark conversations at the intersections of science, policy, and practice.
Big Ideas for a Healthier World
POPTALKS is my podcast—The forces shaping our health don’t respect borders, budgets, or political cycles. On PopTalks, I sit down with scientists, policymakers, innovators, and community leaders to go beyond the headlines and explore the big forces shaping our world — from climate change and AI to demographic shifts, gender equity, and global conflict.
These are conversations that matter for our health, our communities, and our future. I invite you to join me. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Spotify, and YouTube.
AOC Is Freezing Her Eggs. But Who Gets That Choice? | Opinion
AOC’s decision to freeze her eggs highlights a broader question: who actually has access to reproductive choice? I argue that reproductive freedom must include not only the right to decide if and when to have children, but also the economic and social conditions that make those choices possible.
Ebola Outbreak Highlights America’s Retreat From Global Health | Opinion
The Ebola outbreak is a stark reminder that infectious diseases do not respect borders—and that retreating from global health puts everyone at risk. I argue that U.S. disengagement from global health undermines decades of progress and leaves both Americans and communities worldwide more vulnerable.
Affordability Got Mamdani Elected. Public Health Will Help NYC Thrive | Opinion
Columbia University’s Department of Population and Family Health to release a six-point public health plan in an open letter to Mayor-elect Mamdani—a blueprint for ensuring his agenda becomes a foundation for health, stability and justice. And because cities across America are grappling with similar challenges, what New York chooses to do will send a national signal.
Redefining Professional Degrees Will Hurt Everyday Americans | Opinion
The Department of Education claims its recent proposal to redefine what counts as a “professional degree” is about costs. But in truth, it poses one of the sharpest threats in decades to our nation’s health‑workforce pipeline and Americans’ access to care. It will impact whether a child in a rural county, a senior in care, or a parent or child in an underserved community will get the care and services they need. - Newsweek
Population Shifts
Population dynamics is a core focus of my work—because how populations change shapes how we live, work, and build our futures. I joined 60 Minutes to talk about fertility rates, not just as a statistic, but as a window into the social, economic, and policy forces shaping people’s lives and choices today.
Health, Migration and the Power of Imagination with Thoai Ngo
🎙️ On the “Not Really Strangers” podcast by USA for UNHCR, I join Suzanne Ehlers to talk about my journey — from leading global research to improve health and social outcomes for young people and marginalized communities, to my personal story as a refugee from Vietnam.
It’s a conversation about resilience, imagination, and the power of community — and how these can bridge distance and help build a more just future. Listen to the podcast.
