Meet Brennan Lawless
Hometown: Beaver, WV
Program: MS in Toxicology and Risk Assessment
Starting year: 2024
Previous degree: BS in Public Health, West Virginia University
Interests: Movies (love horror and documentaries the most), EDM, rollercoasters, and hockey (Go Avs!)
Fun fact: I am a published children’s author and illustrator (Bob Evan’s Teddy Bear Goes to the Farm)
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What sparked your interest in environmental science?
Growing up in West Virginia, I saw firsthand the role that environments, both physical and built, can play in human health. If we don’t step up and help to protect it now, it might be too late. This call to urgency was something that drew me into environmental sciences, and what keeps me going to this day.
“Growing up in West Virginia, I saw firsthand the role that environments, both physical and built, can play in human health.”
Why did you choose Johns Hopkins?
I was drawn to Hopkins for the cutting-edge research, the massive network of alumni, and the recognition that comes along with being a JHU graduate.
What is your favorite thing about living in Baltimore?
Outside of public health, I’m a huge history and politics nerd, being so close to both D.C. and Philadelphia. Being inside of a historic city in its own right, it’s so fun to explore and learn things that I didn’t know about before moving here. I also feel that the Baltimore community mirrors my growing up in West Virginia with the pride that the people have for their city!
Living in Pigtown, steps away from both Camden Yards (Go O’s!) and M&T Bank Stadium has allowed me to be fully immersed in Baltimore sports culture. The liveliness of the city is unlike anything else during these seasons, and outside of them, the atmosphere still remains!
What advice do you have for prospective students?
When I applied, I didn’t think I would be accepted. My grades weren’t the highest they could have been, and I worked a full-time job in undergrad, but here I am! I tried to set myself apart with my essay and make it feel like it was the most authentic version of myself that I was pitching when applying. If there’s only one tip I could offer you, it would be to just take the leap and apply. You never know what’s going to happen!
What are your plans after graduation?
My immediate plan after graduation is to join the workforce for a few years in either environmental safety and health work or in contract work on Superfund site cleanup. After that, I plan on going back to obtain my PhD (not sure in what yet) and hopefully move into a teaching role.
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