A triple threat: A physician tackles global health through an environmental and public health lens

Chideraa Ndubuisi ’25 MPH is driven to improve human health. Through research — and an unquenchable appetite for learning everything he can about medicine, public health and environmental systems — he is exploring, analyzing and drawing conclusions about the levels of microplastics and halogenated organics, particularly brominated flame retardants, in municipal wastewater treatment processes.

To Ndubuisi, a physician trained in Nigeria, these emerging contaminants provide a perfect case study about factors that connect environmental, animal and human health. To gain clarity around these complex, multidisciplinary relationships — and make a difference for those who need help — he enrolled at UNC Charlotte. He’s halfway to his goal having completed a Master of Public Health in May, as his studies continue for a Ph.D. in infrastructure and environmental systems at the William States Lee College of Engineering.