Hana Power, 2024

Hana Power has channeled the spirit of exploration throughout her journey at UMass Amherst. As a senior Public Health Sciences major on the Pre-Med track and in the Commonwealth Honors College, Hana is passionate about applying her investigation skills to bring about change in the healthcare industry. Using her enthusiasm and curiosity to propel her towards her goals, Hana has expanded her horizons with her involvement in diverse groups such as the UMass Fashion Organization and Soul TV, Prof. Laura Vandenburg’s research lab, and even going as far as South Africa during her study abroad experience. "I’ve prioritized the adventure of trying new things,” she remarked, “weaving in new experiences has enriched my college experience with lessons I would have never learned if I didn’t seize the moment.”

Learning about the UMass iCons Program during her freshman Residential Academic Program (RAP), she was attracted to the scientific investigation skill set that would naturally develop through the program experience. Highlighting how this practical toolkit aids her in her involvement in healthcare, she said, “In iCons, you live through the entire scientific process. You learn things from how to write a grant proposal to how to work with other people who have different knowledge and expertise to find a problem, and then find solutions. Having that as a foundation will be invaluable once I graduate.”

Emphasizing the importance of practicing communication and active listening in teams, Hana mentioned how “being able to value other people’s knowledge is very important. As a person of color and a woman, it is sometimes hard to see your ideas being valued. iCons help because iCons classrooms are a space that values the generation of ideas, so everyone is heard equally and can contribute to scientific work.”

Hana’s leaving her mark in the world of public health with her work with Professor Laura Vandenburg, an expert in environmental health. Striving to protect against environmental health hazards, Hana is evaluating the effect of propylparaben, an endocrine-disrupting chemical that is found in some personal care products, on the mammary gland in mice. “It has really important public health implications,” Hana said, “these chemicals are often overlooked, but they could have detrimental effects on our health.”

Hana aims to get involved in clinical research, collecting experience in the world of investigation before applying to medical school.