Global Health Community Kicks Off Academic Year with Open House
In early September 2025, the Georgetown University Global Health Institute hosted more than 20 global health groups for its annual Global Health Open House. Since its launch in 2019, the event has become a hub for students, faculty, and staff to explore opportunities across the university’s interdisciplinary global health community.
“This event is the only one of its kind on campus,” said Deus Bazira, DrPH, MPH, MBA, director of the Global Health Institute and the Center for Global Health Practice and Impact. “It is a celebration of the unique range of perspectives Georgetown brings to global health, including policy, science, business, the arts, and more.”
That breadth was reflected not only in faculty and institutes, but also in student organizations.
For Neha Gunda (H’26), who joined Project RISHI during her freshman year and now serves as co-president, the Global Health Open House was a chance to both recruit and reconnect.
“I loved talking with students about their interests in global health, business, menstrual health, and social justice,” she said. Gunda also enjoyed updating professors on Project RISHI’s recent initiatives, which include projects on nutrition and combating iron-deficiency anemia.
Faculty voices likewise showed the range of connections between global health and other fields. Derek Goldman, Ph.D., co-founder and executive director of the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics, recently directed The Art of Care, a play that explores the experiences of caregivers, policymakers, and health professionals.
“The open house was an invaluable chance to connect with others dedicated to this work,” he said. “It has already opened new doors and deepened collaborations.”
Scroll through the gallery for highlights from the event.
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The event provided an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to learn more about global health opportunities.
Sophie Zou, program coordinator at the Global Health Institute, speaks with a student.
Deus Bazira, director of the Global Health Institute, learns about Project RISHI and Global Health Governance as Public Service.
Caroline McDonald, program assistant at the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues, shares about the collaborative’s work.
Sarah Bosha, interim director of academic programs at the O’Neill Institute, discusses the institute’s initiatives.
Attendees engage in conversation at the annual Global Health Open House.
The Center for Global Health Science and Security team highlights its programming.
More than 20 global health groups were present at the annual open house.
Faculty from global health groups also participated.
Harnoor Sachar (SFS’26) shares her experience with the Science, Technology, and International Affairs program at the School of Foreign Service.