In this episode, Tanvi sits down with Dr. Megan Weil Latshaw, faculty member at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and environmental health expert. Dr. Latshaw shares her unconventional journey from dreaming of curing cancer as a seventh grader to discovering her true calling in environmental health after realizing lab work wasn't her passion.

Inspired by her philosophy of being a "prepared opportunist," Dr. Latshaw discusses how environmental health examines the impact of our surroundings—air, water, food, and neighborhoods—on human health. She opens up about her impactful work on transit equity in Baltimore, where community collaboration and data analysis influenced real legislation and policy changes at both state and federal levels.

Dr. Latshaw also shares practical advice for aspiring public health professionals, emphasizing that strong graduate school applications focus on personal stories and resilience rather than just grades, and highlighting how 80% of career opportunities come through networking. She introduces listeners to the emerging field of planetary health, which connects human health to the health of our planet.

Whether you're interested in environmental health, public policy, or making community-level change, this conversation offers insights into building a career that combines science, advocacy, and real-world impact.