Carolyn M. Porta, PhD, MS, MPH
Associate Professor, Director of Global Health, University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Carolyn Porta has worked in global health since 1995 when she was a volunteer with the American Refugee Committee in Rwanda. In 2012, she partnered with faculty and students at the University of Rwanda in strengthening capacity to respond to emerging pandemic threats as part of the USAID funded RESPOND program. During the trip, Carolyn met with undergraduate students to discuss strategies for developing multidisciplinary relationships to prevent outbreaks using a one health approach. There, the idea of a One Health Student Club was birthed.
Since 2012, the student club at the University of Rwanda has expanded across the university's five campuses and has more than 500 active members of students and alumni. Similar clubs have formed in other central and east African countries. Carolyn provides valuable mentorship and guidance to these students and continues to collaborate with local university faculty to develop activities.
Carolyn received her MS and PhD in nursing from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and her MPH in maternal and child health in 1997 and MS in environmental health in 2000 from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
