Alumna Olivia Brandon’s Career Started with a Pen Pal in Zambia

Zambia Club was a very big part of alumna Olivia Brandon’s ’19 Seattle Academy experience. She was a member throughout Middle School, even rising to club president in eighth grade, and throughout Upper School. 

Now, as a senior in both the Department of Neuroscience & School of Public Health’s undergraduate programs at the University of Washington, Olivia works at a neonatal science lab conducting research on data sets, including neonatal morbidity and mortality rates around the world, and specifically in Africa. 

“I can’t imagine life without research,” says Olivia, as she looks down the track of a doctorate, a dual MD-PhD program. Olivia sees global health as her calling. Its origins trace back to Middle School when Olivia developed a friendship with a pen pal in Zambia named Queen Nyirenda. 

“My first eye-opening experience was connecting with a girl, just my age, across the world, and realizing we had so much in common. It really began my fascination with global health,” says Olivia. 

“Anytime we talk about global health, we focus so much on the disparities and we fail to highlight the commonalities,” opines Olivia. “Thinking back to my pen pal, that was the spark; my first exposure.” 

In Upper School, Olivia really started to get serious about global health. With the help of faculty members Melinda Mueller and Peter Clark – Olivia conducted an independent study on sustainability. Over two trimesters, she studied ways to improve health for the communities in Zambia, including how to improve water quality and cooking methods by utilizing solar stoves. 

This study turned into her senior project, a capstone for SAAS seniors entering the workforce through a six to eight week internship, and culminated in a SAAS-led student trip to Zambia in 2019. There, Olivia brought her project to life and saw the implementation of global health in real time. She and fellow seniors visited rural medical clinics treating malaria and tuberculosis and participated in discussions on maternal and infant mortality rates. 

“This was hands down the most influential experience. I had this personal connection with Queen, my pen pal, and it was an amazing opportunity as a high schooler. It was really empowering to think that I may not make a big difference in high school, but I can make a small difference. I can make a small impact on the world.”

When Olivia joined UW in the fall of 2019, she pursued a legal track. With her background in debate, she knew she wanted to fall into some form of advocacy. For Olivia, “Experience in public speaking [while at SAAS] was invaluable.” She pivoted to the science and pre-med track after taking a survey of physiology course at the University of Washington. She landed on a double major in neuroscience and in public health-global health. She graduates this year, and after a gap year, will apply for the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSPT) which encompasses both medical school and a PhD track. 

“The Zambia trip really did shape my career,” reflects Olivia. “Most high school students don’t get six to eight weeks for an internship. SAAS is giving kids the resources to be successful and make a difference.” Olivia aligns this with UW’s slogan “Be boundless,” saying “I think SAAS and UW really want to make changemakers, and that is something I really hope to continue in my career.” 

Olivia was awarded the University of Washington President’s Medal during her sophomore and junior years, an award given to only one student per class each year for their high GPAs, the rigor of classes, and the number of enrolled honors courses. She has been featured in the UW’s School of Public Health Blog, presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies conference in 2022 and 2023, and conducted a TED Talk on how co-creation can combat climate change.