Her Story
About Asli
Asli McCullers is a PhD candidate at the University of Maryland College Park in behavioral and community health and serves as a research specialist at the MedStar Health Research Institute within the Center for Equity Research. She has been in public health since 2020, holding dual roles that involve supporting and leading research projects, data collection, participant management, community engagement efforts, and graduate research assistance in the Community Health Awareness Messages and Prevention Lab. Her educational journey includes a B.S. in Biology from Towson University in 2020, a PREP post-baccalaureate program at University of Massachusetts Medical School, an M.P.H. in Epidemiology from the University of Delaware in 2023, and her current PhD candidacy. In 2023, she was selected for the Behavioral Health Tech Young Innovators and Behavioral Health Awards 30 Under 30 in the academia and research category. McCullers attributes her success to her family, particularly her parents' consistent support for education, and values kindness, empathy, a community-centered approach, and trauma-informed practices in her work and personal life. She advises aspiring professionals to leverage LinkedIn for networking, gain experiences through internships and fellowships, and build connections beyond coursework.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Asli
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my parents and family who have been a driving force for education. My mom and dad have been consistent in every way, and my entire family including my sister and brother has supported me. I am blessed beyond measure.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. This resonates deeply with me as my work in public health and community service is also my hobby and passion.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to send the LinkedIn message as it is a powerful tool for building relationships and opportunities. Get out there, gain experiences, don't wait to do internships or fellowships, get your name in the room, and enhance your network beyond coursework.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include precarious public health funding, especially in health equity due to recent legislation impacting research and grants. Opportunities lie in the public health community becoming tighter, supporting each other, and lifting as we climb through networking.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Kindness, empathy, care, community-centered approach, and trauma-informed approach are essential pillars in my work and as a person, friend, partner, and community member.
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