Commencement

Harvard Chan Convocation

University-wide Affinity Celebrations

Hosted by community partners and alumni, these student-led gatherings celebrate the diverse cultures, communities, and identities present at Harvard. These events center the cultural and community traditions and values of graduates and provide opportunities to honor those who helped them reach this milestone. These celebrations offer keynote speakers, performances, regalia accessories, and cultural celebrations.

Affinity celebrations are open to all Harvard graduates who pre-register to attend.  Those interested in participating in one or more of the affinity celebrations or ordering a regalia accessory, should complete this registration form by Monday, April 22.

Visit the affinity celebrations webpage to learn more.

Questions?

Class of 2024 stories

High-volume prosthetics nonprofit wants to hear from its patients May 30

Alex Boyle and Aashna Shah, both MPH ’24, helped a nonprofit in India, Jaipur Foot, improve its patient feedback process while learning valuable lessons for their own public health careers.

At Convocation, Harvard Chan School graduates urged to meet climate and public health crises with fresh thinking, collective action May 22

The accomplishments of 654 graduates were celebrated at Harvard Chan School's Convocation ceremony on May 22, 2024.

Providing compassionate care to marginalized people May 20

As a medical resident in Toronto, Jeremy Cygler, MPH-45 ’24, saw firsthand how the health care system failed vulnerable patients.

Evaluating nutrition policies to reduce inequities May 20

Matt Lee, PhD ’24, balanced his work evaluating nutrition policies with performances in the Longwood Symphony Orchestra.

Improving health equity, one smile at a time May 16

Chilean dentist Alberto Inzulza Galdames, MPH ’24, wants to improve access to health care for people in vulnerable communities.

Improving cardiac health through machine learning May 15

Mostafa Al-Alusi, SM ’24, is a cardiologist with a passion for computer science. After graduating from Harvard Chan School’s Health Data Science program, he will continue his research on using machine learning to improve heart health.

A molecular dive into how cells sense nutrients May 9

Krystle Kalafut, PhD ’24, studies the liver’s response to insulin, revealing potential mechanisms involved in obesity and diabetes.

Fighting ‘forever chemicals’ May 1

PhD student Jahred Liddie discusses his research on PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment.

From public servant to public health student Apr. 25

After two decades as a public servant in India, Mrinalini Darswal came to Harvard Chan School to gain leadership skills in the public health field. After she graduates in May with her DrPH, her mission will remain the…

Researching new ways to prevent Alzheimer’s Apr. 9

Irfan Chaudhuri, SM ’24, discusses his path to public health and a master of science degree in neuropsychiatric epidemiology from Harvard Chan School.

Studying by day, changing diapers by night Apr. 4

For married students Matt and Sally Hamm, MDs who’ve worked together as Air Force flight surgeons, Harvard Chan School’s Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency Program has provided an ideal opportunity to deepen their training while raising four kids.

When women give birth while in prison, how do their children fare? Mar. 20

Research by Bethany Kotlar, PhD ’24, follows children born to incarcerated mothers for the first three years of their lives.

Building a better system for transgender health care Mar. 7

Ivan Hsiao, MPH ’24, is a transgender entrepreneur who founded the startup Trans Health HQ to decrease clinicians’ barriers to providing gender-affirming care.

‘I’m going to fix everyone’ Feb. 14

Despite his challenging start in rural Jamaica, James Frater, MPH ’24, overcame enormous obstacles to achieve his lifelong goal of becoming a doctor. He then helped others dream big.

Understanding contraceptive decision-making in sub-Saharan Africa Feb. 1

Valencia Lambert, SM ’24, brings a passion for community partnerships to her work addressing women’s reproductive health and infectious-disease outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.

A healer’s journey Jan. 30 2023

Lin Abdul Rahman, DrPH ’24, has spent a career advocating for children who have suffered sexual abuse—even as she has healed from her own childhood trauma.

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