Student Spotlight: Pamela Thomas - on connecting research, community, and health

by Eduardo Piqueiras  |   

Woman wearing a hat and glasses sits on a hammock outside reading
Pamela enjoying time outside before winter hits. (Photo credit: Pamela Thomas)

Health is often measured through statistics, diagnoses, and outcomes. For Pamela Thomas, health begins with something more fundamental: connection—connection to family, community, culture, land, and the systems that shape our everyday life. It is this understanding that inspired her to pursue the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ's dual Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Health (MPH) program, where she has discovered that meaningful change happens when research, clinical practice, and community engagement come together.

Through her practicum with the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies, Pamela partnered with Dr. Ruby Fried to investigate food security in Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ's Aleutian and Pribilof Islands. There, she discovered that meaningful research extends beyond data collection. It begins by listening to communities, understanding their stories, and translating knowledge into action.

As she prepares for a career that bridges social work, public health, and research, Pamela reflects on the experiences that have shaped her journey and the people and communities that continue to inspire her work.

Name: Pamela Thomas

Major: Master of Social Work (MSW) / Master of Public Health (MPH) Dual Degree

Unit: Division of Population Health Sciences and School of Social Work

What led you to pursue the MSW/MPH dual-degree program?:
It took me years to finally submit my application to UAA. At first, I considered pursuing clinical psychology. With a generational family history of mental health challenges and my own experiences raising neurodivergent children, I saw firsthand the need for more affordable, accessible, and skilled mental health care. The more I reflected on those experiences, the more I realized that mental health could not be separated from housing, education, poverty, food, or healthcare. Seeing those connections ultimately led me toward social work and public health.

What drew you to the intersection of social work and public health?:
Growing up in the South and experiencing poverty taught me that education alone is not always enough. My father was highly educated, yet he still struggled with his mental health, lived in poverty, and experienced unreliable access to healthcare. Those experiences showed me that individual health is deeply connected to larger systems. Social work and public health together provide the opportunity to support individuals while also addressing the broader policies and social conditions that shape health.

Sample Alt Text for Image
Pamela Thomas at the Circumpolar Health Conference 2026 showing data analysis of USDA Food Security Survey for the Aleutian Pribilof Islands. (Photo credit: Pamela Thomas)

Tell us about your practicum experience with the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies.:
During my practicum, I worked with Dr. Ruby Fried at the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies on a research project examining food security in the Aleutian and Pribilof Islands.
Throughout the year, I learned about the history of these communities, analyzed food security survey data, and developed data visualizations that communicate complex information in meaningful and accessible ways. I also had opportunities to conduct literature reviews, prepare annotated bibliographies, and examine Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ's food policy landscape.

One of the things I found most fascinating was how many organizations contribute to food security in Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ, including tribal organizations, food banks, marine science researchers, agriculture, Native corporations, state and local governments, and community members themselves. In a state that imports approximately 95% of its food, food security is an incredibly complex and important issue.

Why is food security research important?:
Food is more than nutrition. Access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally appropriate food connects people to their land, traditions, families, and communities. In Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ, where communities are often geographically isolated and resources can be limited, food also strengthens social connection and supports both physical and mental well-being.

What were some of the most meaningful lessons you learned?:
One of the most important lessons I learned was the value of professionalism and positionality in research. That experience taught me that researchers bring their own perspectives into every project, making reflection and humility just as important as technical skills. Throughout my practicum, I realized there are many different ways to collect data and tell the stories those data represent. Dr. Fried encouraged me to think critically about my own perspectives and helped me develop my own voice as a researcher while remaining thoughtful and respectful of the communities we serve.

Woman outside in the winter wearing headpones and warm clothing with frost in her hair
Pamela listening to an audiobook for class while walking outside in the cold of winter. (Photo credit: Pamela Thomas)

Was there a particular experience that reinforced why this work matters?:
Attending the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Tribal Conference on Environmental Management (ATCEM) had a profound impact on me. Listening to speakers from Newtok, Chevak, and Kipnuk describe how erosion and environmental change were affecting community life reminded me that health is inseparable from place. Their stories illustrated how connections to hunting, fishing, cultural traditions, and the land itself contribute to resilience, identity, and community well-being.

How has this experience influenced your future career goals?:
My practicum broadened my understanding of what advocacy can look like. I now see research as an important form of activism. Producing high-quality data, supporting data sovereignty, and creating transparency can help communities advocate for meaningful change while informing policy and improving health outcomes. Looking ahead, I hope to build a career that combines direct practice, program development, research, and policy. I value working directly with individuals and communities just as much as I enjoy working with statistics, regression models, and data visualization.

What advice would you give students considering the MSW/MPH dual-degree program?:
It can be difficult to overcome both the practical and personal barriers to pursuing graduate education. The MSW and MPH programs teach much more than research methods, program design, policy, or clinical practice. They teach you how to listen, think critically, collaborate, and become someone who can engage thoughtfully with complex problems.

This program has helped me become someone I am proud to be. Along the way, I have found extraordinary mentors, classmates, and friends who continue to inspire me every day.

coh logo

CATEGORIES

 

TAGS

 

ACADEMIC UNITS

 

PARTNER PROGRAMS

 

CENTERS & INSTITUTES


MEDIA INQUIRIES / STORY LEADS