MACON, Ga. — Mercer University Doctor of Public Health student Hridith Sudev, Class of 2027, was selected for the Empower Through Health Global Health Experiential Fellowship and also to be a part of the 2026-27 American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) Student Think Tank.
The Global Health Experiential Fellowship is a five-week, in-person global health research and fieldwork fellowship in rural Uganda. As a fellow, Sudev will collaborate on community-based global health research projects while traveling in Uganda and co-author a peer-reviewed paper with the lead researchers.
The AJPH is one of world’s most prestigious public health publications, and the Student Think Tank is a yearlong program where six students work with the Journal’s editor-in-chief to coordinate special sections, organize symposiums, manage social media engagement and develop initiatives such as calls for papers and podcasts.
Sudev describes receiving both of the opportunities in the same year as “surreal.”
“Both reflect what I care most about as a researcher: making sure public health scholarship actually serves the communities it studies,” he said. “I don’t take either of these lightly. It is a privilege to be in rooms like this, and I hope to use these roles to advance the science and practice of public health to really speak to the complex health challenges that we all face every day.”
From Oman, Sudev moved to the U.S. in 2018 and is pursuing his Dr.P.H. in social epidemiology. He has worked in public health departments; been a clinician, program manager and administrator for health organizations; and served as an advocate for community health. Additionally, he founded and leads a nonprofit in Denver called Colectivo de Paz that works to empower communities with the resources and skills to fight for and achieve a healthier future.
Sudev currently works as a graduate research assistant under Dr. Cheryl Gaddis, chair of the Department of Public Health. He is a member of the Delta Omega Honor Society, which recognizes excellence in public health, and Health Students Taking Action Together (H-STAT) Georgia, an organization of health students from schools across the state coming together for service, research, education and advocacy to improve the health of all Georgians. He is also an advocacy lead for the Street Medicine Team, a student-led initiative that provides direct care to unhoused individuals.
“Hridith Sudev demonstrates a history of strong dedication to health equity and public health through his leadership in grassroots movements and commitment to serving historically marginalized populations,” said Dr. Gaddis. “We are proud to have Hridith pursue his doctoral degree at Mercer and anticipate many more great achievements as a result of his studies and research pursuits, demonstrating the high capabilities of students enrolled in Mercer’s public health programs.”
After receiving his Dr.P.H, Sudev said he plans to continue working “at the intersection of research, policy and community practice,” and lead health equity research that centers on the communities most affected by the disparities he studies.
