Niouma Semega, PhD Candiate

Niouma Semega is a dynamic public health practitioner dedicated to addressing environmental health disparities in underserved communities. She earned her bachelor's degree in Global Public Health and Sociology from New York University (NYU), with minors in Environmental Studies and Data Science. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Health at Boston University, focusing on innovative geospatial analysis and biostatistics to tackle racial disparities in environmental health.

As the Founder and CEO of SemegaChange, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Niouma leads efforts to support the education, projects, and businesses of Black and women of color in STEM. Under her leadership, SemegaChange has initiated impactful programs, including professional development for young women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a mentorship alliance in Nigeria, and educational initiatives for children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Niouma's commitment to environmental justice is evident through her research on disparities in EPA monitoring and the health effects of climate change in Uganda. Her innovative work led to the development of a novel device for extracting pollutants from water bodies, earning her first place at the 35th Annual CSTEP Conference and recognition from international platforms, including Stockholm, Sweden.

In addition to her research, Niouma has been honored as an Emerging Leader at NYU's School of Global Public Health, where she delivered a compelling talk titled "Racism Polluting the Water," emphasizing the need for investment in low- and middle-income countries. Her dedication to sustainability was also recognized by Victoria's Secret's PINK GRL PWR Project, awarding her in the Sustainability Category.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Niouma enjoys cooking, exploring nature, playing sports, crocheting, and indulging in reality TV shows.