OCS Conference Funding Submission

Event Photo:

Nanda at the Walter E. Convention Center between the West and East Overlooks for the APHA conference (11/2/2025)

Name: E. Deopersaud

Degree Program: MPA IN PUBLIC & NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & POLICY

Specialization: PNP-Public Policy Analysis

Conference Host Organization/Institution: American Public Health Association (APHA)

Conference/Competition Name: APHA 2025 Annual Meeting & Expo

Conference Term: Fall Conference Start Date: 2025-11-02 Conference End Date: 2025-11-05

What were your takeaways from this conference/case competition?
I gained a deeper understanding of how public health practitioners and policymakers are addressing climate-related health risks and the limitations of current assistance programs like HEAP. Hearing from experts working on heat resilience, energy insecurity, and environmental justice helped me situate my cost-utility analysis within a broader national conversation. I also learned how to communicate technical findings to a multidisciplinary audience, which strengthened my confidence as a researcher and presenter. Most importantly, the conference affirmed that cross-sector approaches (intersections between housing, energy, and health) are essential for protecting vulnerable communities from extreme heat.

How will your participation in this conference/case competition support your professional development?
This experience supports my goal of working at the intersection of sustainability, health equity, and public policy. Presenting my HEAP analysis allowed me to practice translating quantitative evaluation into insights that can inform real programs. Connecting with professionals who work in energy justice and climate adaptation gave me a better view of career paths.

What are some next steps or action items this conference/case competition inspired?
I would like to explore publishing the work or presenting it again in an academic or policy setting. I'm considering doing a spatial analysis using GIS since I am learning it in my program. I will put this as a personal project on my data portfolio. I also plan to reach out to practitioners working on heat resilience and energy affordability to learn how HEAP data can support local adaptation planning.

What are some tips or best practices that you would like to share with other Wagner students who attend a conference/case competition?
Attend sessions that are slightly outside your comfort zone because you would be surprised how not-so-obvious information can spark new connections and ideas! Don’t hesitate to approach presenters or attendees whose work resonates with yours because a brief conversation can lead to mentorship or collaboration. Even if it doesn't happen immediately, leaving a strong impression on the people you network with will make them remember you and they may reach out if their needs align with your skills.

Prepare both printed and digital business cards and have the LinkedIn app on hand!

Wagner Areas of Impact: Government, Health, Inequality, Race, and Poverty