Health, Science & the Earth Pathway
In the Health, Science, and the Earth Pathway, students work towards academic and career goals in natural and earth sciences, clinical health occupations, and public health. Whether studying plant and animal life, molecules and chemical phenomena, or the Earth's environment (including water, climate, and natural hazards) and other planetary bodies, students will think critically about human interaction with the world around us.
Students interested in health will learn about approaches and strategies that increase health opportunities for all people. Students are prepared to be problem-solvers who can address illness and disease, facilitate wise use of our planet’s resources, and develop sustainable ecosystems, human societies, and economies.
Majors include: Applied Health & Fitness; Biology; Biochemistry; Chemistry; Earth Science; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Public Health Studies; Science
Pre-professional programs: Pre-Chiropractic Medicine, Pre-Dental Hygiene, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medical Laboratory Science, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Naturopathic Medicine Pre-Nursing, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Radiation Therapy
Important information for students new to PSU:
Incoming freshmen and transfer students should complete Orientation prior to scheduling an appointment with their advisor for their first term. Orientation covers the information necessary to select and register for classes, and students may follow up with their advisor afterwards if they have specific questions.
How to meet with an HSE Advisor:
Students in this Pathway, including Exploratory, are assigned to their advisor based on the major or pre-professional program. Please see the listing below.
To schedule an appointment, call our Front Desk at 503-725-3822 or use the appropriate advisor's link below. Please note that if you have a pre-professional program, you should meet with that advisor, regardless of your major.
For general questions, email hse.advising@pdx.edu. Please do not use this email to request an appointment.
Advisors by Pre-Professional Program
Pre-Professional advisors serve all majors, unless noted otherwise.
Pre-Chiropractic Medicine
- Leena Shrestha
Pre-Dental Hygiene
- Laura Marsh
Pre-Dentistry
- Ari Douangpanya
- Leena Shrestha
- Liz Shatzer
- Melissa Yates
Pre-Medical Laboratory Science
- Liz Shatzer
- Laura Marsh
Pre-Medicine
- Abby Schmidt
- Ari Douangpanya
- Leena Shrestha
- Liz Shatzer
- Melissa Yates
Pre-Naturopathic Medicine
- Leena Shrestha
Pre-Nursing
- Abby Schmidt
- Alyssa Dart
- Laura Marsh
Pre-Occupational Therapy
- Liz Shatzer
Pre-Optometry
- Laura Marsh
Pre-Pharmacy
- Laura Marsh
Pre-Physical Therapy
- Liz Shatzer
- Jane Mercer (Applied Health & Fitness and Public Health Studies majors only)
Pre-Physician Assistant
- Abby Schmidt
- Alyssa Dart
Pre-Radiation Therapy
- Abby Schmidt
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
- Liz Shatzer
- Sang Rich
Advisors by Major
If you are considering a pre-health track (i.e. pre-dentistry, pre-medicine, pre-nursing, pre-pharmacy, etc.), please find your advisor using the pre-professional list instead.
Applied Health & Fitness
- Please call 503-725-3822 to schedule an appointment.
Biology
- Sang Rich
- Leena Shrestha
Biochemistry
- Ari Douangpanya
- Sang Rich
Chemistry
- Ari Douangpanya
- Sang Rich
Earth Science
- Stephanie Hamington
Environmental Science/Environmental Studies
- Stephanie Hamington
- Sang Rich
Exploratory/Undecided
- All Health, Science, and the Earth advisors
Geography
- Stephanie Hamington
Geology
- Stephanie Hamington
Public Health Studies
- Please call 503-725-3822 to schedule an appointment.
Science*
- Ari Douangpanya
- Stephanie Hamington
- Sang Rich
- Melissa Yates
* *Students who change to the Science major may continue to meet their original advisor.
Health, Science & the Earth Advisors

Schedule an appointment with Alyssa Dart
Alyssa Dart
Pronouns: she/her/hers
dart@pdx.edu
Alyssa advises for:
Pre-Nursing
Pre-Physician Assistant
Applied Health & Fitness
Exploratory/Undecided
Public Health Studies

Schedule an appointment with Ari Douangpanya
Ari Douangpanya
Pronouns: she/her/hers
arid@pdx.edu
Ari advises for:
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medicine
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Exploratory/Undecided
Science
Schedule an appointment with Stephanie Hamington
Stephanie Hamington
Pronouns: she/her/hers
step27@pdx.edu
Stephanie advises for:
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
Exploratory/Undecided
Geography
Geology

Schedule an appointment with Laura Marsh
Laura Marsh
Pronouns: she/her/hers
marshl@pdx.edu
Laura advises for:
Pre-Dental Hygiene
Pre-Nursing
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Pharmacy
Exploratory/Undecided
Public Health Studies
Applied Health & Fitness

Schedule an appointment with Jane Mercer
Jane Mercer, Public Health Faculty
Pronouns: she/her/hers
mercerj@pdx.edu
Jane is a faculty advisor for:
Applied Health & Fitness
Public Health Studies

Schedule an appointment with Sang Rich
Sang (Nguyen) Rich
Pronouns: she/her/hers
sang4@pdx.edu
Sang advises for:
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Biology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
Exploratory/Undecided

Schedule an appointment with Liz Shatzer
Liz Shatzer
Pronouns: she/her/hers
shatzere@pdx.edu
Liz advises for:
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medical Lab Science
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Veterinarian Medicine
Exploratory/Undecided

Schedule an appointment with Abby Schmidt
Abby Schmidt
Pronouns: she/her/hers
abig6@pdx.edu
Abby advises for:
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Nursing
Pre-Physician Assistant
Pre-Radiation Therapy
Exploratory/Undecided

Schedule an appointment with Leena Shrestha
Leena Shrestha
Pronouns: she/her/hers
leens@pdx.edu
Leena advises for:
Pre-Chiropractic Medicine
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Naturopathic Medicine
Biology
Exploratory/Undecided

Schedule an appointment with Melissa Yates
Melissa Yates, Pathway Director
Pronouns: she/her/hers
melyates@pdx.edu
Melissa advises for:
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Dentistry
Exploratory/Undecided
Science

Schedule an appointment with Belinda Zeidler
Belinda Zeidler, Public Health Faculty
Pronouns: she/her/hers
zeidlerb@pdx.edu
Belinda is a faculty advisor for:
Applied Health & Fitness
Public Health Studies