Anna Ursin ’25 earns Rotary Foundation Global Grant Fellowship to fund master’s program abroad at University of Cambridge

Anna Ursin ’25 arrived at Carleton determined to study biology or chemistry on the pre-med track. She worked as a student EMT, shadowed healthcare professionals, and engaged in clinical research, all in only her first term on campus. Despite acing her coursework, she felt unfulfilled — until she enrolled in a medical anthropology course for the winter.

“It transformed my view of health and medicine,” she said. “In exploring the belief systems, institutions, and stakeholders of healthcare, I gained an appreciation for the social and community factors that shape disease prevalence, treatment, and outcomes. At my first taste of population health, I was captivated.”

This spring, Ursin will graduate with an interdisciplinary special major in Public Health Studies, the first in Carleton’s history and the result of a year of applications and petitioning. When she talked to Marynel Ryan Van Zee, director of student fellowships and lecturer in history, about next steps, they came to the same conclusion: Ursin should apply for the Rotary Foundation Global Grant Fellowship to fund a year of further education abroad before returning to the U.S. for medical school. 

The Rotary Foundation Global Grant Fellowship gives recipients the freedom to choose what and where they want to study, as long as they align with one of the Rotary Foundation’s areas of focus: Promoting peace; Fighting disease; Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; saving mothers and children; Supporting education; Growing local economies; and Protecting the environment.

In her search for programs that would fit the fellowship, Ursin discovered that multiple schools in the UK offered one-year intensive master’s programs tailored to recent undergrads. The University of Cambridge, with its Population Health Sciences program, soon emerged as her top choice, offering a “rigorous academic environment with world-class faculty and unparalleled resources.”

Ursin was awarded the Rotary Foundation Global Grant Fellowship to study at Cambridge, where she will earn a Master’s of Philosophy (MPhil) in Population Health Sciences with a concentration in Global Health, which she says is a natural progression of her studies at Carleton.

“Carleton’s liberal arts curriculum was the catalyst for my passion for public health,” Ursin said. “I explored diverse disciplines, particularly sociology and anthropology, which revealed the interconnectedness of health, society, and culture — an insight I would never have gleaned from STEM coursework alone.”

The College’s trimester system has also been essential, Ursin says, as the six-week winter break allowed her to travel to Ethiopia to study the intersection of cooking practices and chronic lung disease; she even returned to Addis Ababa the following year as a Larson Fellow to research paternalism in the treatment of women’s pelvic pain care for her senior COMPs project. Most recently, she participated in a Carleton-sponsored externship in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador, contributing to public health development in the Indigenous Kichwa community. 

“Carleton’s rich alumni network also opened doors to valuable and relevant research opportunities,” Ursin said. “Currently, I’m analyzing interviews on attitudes toward cancer treatment in Uganda in collaboration with an alum at Harvard Medical School.”

The Carleton alumni network also introduced Ursin to Partners in Global Surgery, a Mayo Clinic coalition that runs otolaryngology surgical training programs in sub-Saharan Africa. As part of the group, Ursin contributes to research on the sustainability of global surgery partnerships in low-income countries.

“The supportive Carleton community has been instrumental in my growth,” Ursin said. “I am deeply grateful for the experiences that challenged me to think critically across disciplines, embrace academic rigor, and ultimately create a specialized major to pursue my passions with depth and purpose.”

The University of Cambridge’s interdisciplinary focus on translational research will be a great fit for Ursin after her experience at Carleton. Her master’s program will prepare her to craft research proposals, evaluate population-level risks, and mobilize research for creative interventions — all invaluable skills as she prepares for a career in global surgery.

“I envision a career that combines clinical practice and surgical innovation at an academic medical center. Semiannually, I hope to travel to underserved regions to lead short-term training programs for local healthcare providers,” Ursin said. “In parallel, I aim to oversee longitudinal outcomes research to evaluate the long-term impact and sustainability of these surgical partnerships.”

Before she pursues those ultimate goals, however, Ursin is very much looking forward to her time at Cambridge, where she’s eager to immerse herself in such a cerebral environment.

“Pursuing a degree abroad promises a transformative experience, pushing me beyond my comfort zone and fostering personal growth,” Ursin said. “Coming to Carleton from a rural, homogeneous town, I was inspired by the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of my peers. I believe I will replicate — and even expand on — that experience at Cambridge, a truly global community that attracts students from around the world.”

While Ursin is sad to say goodbye to Carleton’s beloved traditions when she graduates, she is equally excited to embrace new ones at Cambridge, where she has been placed at Trinity College – the most prestigious of the university’s 31 colleges.

“Come October, I will be punting along the River Cam in wooden boats, participating in secret societies, and attending Formal Halls, the weekly black-tie dinners held in each college’s grand dining hall,” Ursin said. “I hope to take full advantage of Europe’s accessible train and flight networks to explore new countries with new comrades during weekends and academic breaks.”

Ursin is also interested in connecting with the Rotary Club of Cambridge during her time abroad, and staying involved with the organization beyond her education. 

“As a global health student, my passions align with Rotary’s mission to improve health equity and foster sustainable development,” Ursin said. “It is meaningful to me that my education is supported by an organization committed to creating a healthier, more equitable world. I am honored to join Rotary’s global network.”

Throughout her application process, Ursin worked closely with Gary Campbell and Chris Weber from the Rotary Club of Northfield, who provided “invaluable feedback” and guided her through each step.

“I am also indebted to Marynel [Ryan Van Zee], who tirelessly supported me through seven different fellowship applications this past fall,” Ursin said. “I’m also profoundly grateful to those who advised me throughout this process, including Pamela Feldman-Savelsberg, Annette Nierobisz, Deborah Gross, Erica Zweifel, and Baird Jarman, whose unwavering support and thoughtful letters made this journey possible.”

Ursin has three pieces of advice for current Carls applying for fellowships. First, and perhaps most importantly, she says, connect with Marynel Ryan Van Zee.

“She is an incredible resource and excels at helping students find the fellowship or program that aligns with their goals,” Ursin said. “Her guidance truly makes all the difference.”

Second, she says, be authentic.

“Follow your curiosity and apply for fellowships that genuinely excite you,” Ursin said. “In your applications, craft a cohesive and bona fide narrative that ties together your past experiences, current passions, and future aspirations. As Carleton students, we are fortunate to explore our intellectual interests freely — the fellowship office encourages you to lean into that same spirit.”

Finally, Ursin says, embrace the process. 

“Applying for fellowships is not solely about the end goal,” Ursin said. “It is an opportunity to reflect, refine your goals, and navigate uncertainty. Trust in your experiences, and remember that meaningful growth often comes from stepping beyond the familiar.”

Erica Helgerud ’20 is the news and social media manager for Carleton College.