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 Interview with Juliet Iwelunmor

Where did you grow up and attend school?

-I was born and raised in Nigeria, came to US as a teenager and grew up in the State of New Jersey.

Where did you do your grad and undergrad work?

-I am a graduate of Penn State University at University Park. I completed my undergraduate and graduate studies there.

What have you done since you left grad school?

-After Penn State, I spent two-and-a-half years working as a program specialist in Culture for UNESCO’s Intersectoral program on HIV and AIDS in Paris, France.

Describe any honors and publications and activities you are especially proud of since earning your Ph.D.

-I received the NIH predoctoral fellowship from the National Institutes of Child Health and Development (NICHHD) and I was also a Ronald McNair Scholar and the 2010-2011 recipient of the Albert and Lorraine Kligman Fellowship in the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State University.

Did  African Studies help prepare you for your career?

-I did not take classes in African Studies, but I took courses that explored how culture influenced health.

What advice do you have for current students at UIUC?

-It is important to understand what it takes to succeed. Hard work and perseverance are essential, but also never hesitate to find mentors who will be committed to ensuring that you become a success.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

-Nothing, except that I am glad to be on campus.