Major: Health Sciences
Major: Social Policy Analysis
Research Advisors: Dr. Cassandra Diep & Dr. Augusto Rodriguez

Casley Matthews is a Junior from Martel College studying Health Sciences and Social Policy Analysis. She has been interested in public health since high school. Majoring in both Health Sciences and Social Policy Analysis and having opportunities to explore these topics beyond the classroom has deepened her desire to work in this field in the future.

Casley is currently interning with the Kinesiology Department at Rice, where she researches the impacts of COVID-19 on college students’ nutrition. She works closely with Dr. Cassandra Diep and Dr. Augusto Rodriguez, and she has been active in data analysis and writing a manuscript. She will present her findings at the 2021 Texas Society of Public Health Education Conference and at this year’s Rice Natural Sciences Undergraduate Research Fair. She hopes to publish her results later this semester.

Casley is also completing a one-year internship at the Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF). At EHF, she works to engage community members and local faith leaders to improve health across Texas. Working at EHF and with the Kinesiology Department has allowed her to explore different sides of the public health field. On top of her internships, Casley serves as Martel’s Vice President and gives campus tours through Rice’s Student Admission Council.

Casley’s time at Rice has increased her interest in health. She is particularly passionate about health inequities, social determinants of health, and teen reproductive health. She hopes to use what she has learned in the classroom and beyond to pursue a career in public health.