Columbia Mailman School of Public Health Student Azuna Sawada Selected as 2024 Quad Fellow

Azuna Sawada from Columbia Mailman School of Public Health is one of 50 students selected as a 2024 Quad Fellow. Now in its second year, the Quad Fellowship supports exceptional master's and doctoral students pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Initially supporting students from the four Quad countries—Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—the program has expanded this year to include students from various ASEAN countries.

Azuna Sawada is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in psychiatric epidemiology. She has a strong interest in the social determinants of mental disorders and their interaction with biological factors, particularly among adolescents. After graduation, Sawada plans to continue research to develop interventions aimed at preventing mental disorders in vulnerable populations. 

Before entering Mailman, Sawada completed her BA in Neuroscience and Behavior at Mount Holyoke College. Her ultimate goal is to create a more resilient society by addressing mental health disparities and making discussions about mental illness more accessible to all communities.

Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), a global not-for-profit organization that manages many of the world’s most prestigious scholarship and fellowship programs, the Quad Fellowship aims to build connections among the next generation of scientists and technologists. The program is designed to support academic excellence and promote cross-cultural understanding and collaboration among participating countries. By bringing together students from different parts of the world, the fellowship creates a network of innovators who can address global challenges and drive technological advancements.