With a professor of environmental science and a nurse for parents, health and social work are literally in this Chicago native’s genes. But it was Ryan’s time in Latin America that led her to pursue a master’s degree that would give her the skills to help others lead stable, productive, and healthy lives.

“After I graduated from college I wasn’t sure about my next step. I had a unique opportunity to participate in an environmental health study in Peru. I also volunteered with a non-profit organization in Chile, working with girls and young women recovering from situations of physical and sexual violence. 

"These experiences opened my eyes to the interplay between social determinants and health outcomes. But I had few professional skills to help. I came back to the United States, and to the Brown School, with the drive to develop this expertise.”