Born and raised on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, USF College of Public Health (COPH) alumnus Jamilla Cooper moved to the United States specifically to attend USF.
“I applied to a few schools in Florida but USF was my number one choice. I am a proud Caribbean American and USF does a really good job of creating a sense of belonging for international students. My dad also graduated from USF, so both of those were influences in my choice,” Cooper said.
She initially chose economics as her major but after taking a few classes she said she realized her passion lied elsewhere. That’s when she took a public health class as an elective.
“This was before the bachelor in public health was available, but I fell in love with that elective class, so I decided to declare public health as my minor,” Cooper said.
“I love that public health addresses the preventative side of health and focuses on populations instead of individuals,” she said. “That part of public health has always really appealed to me. I also like how it examines health disparities and behaviors of a population.”
“When the announcement was made that public health would be offered as a dual degree program, I quickly declared my major as public health,” she said.
Because of her unique academic journey, Cooper was asked to give the commencement speech at the COPH graduation in 2013, which she said was incredibly memorable. She also reflected fondly on three study abroad trips she took during her time as a student to Panama, Malaysia and Europe.
Dr. Kay Perrin (far left) shares some words about Jamilla Cooper (second from left) during the COPH graduate student graduation celebration. (Photo by Ellen Kent)
Because of her unique academic journey, Cooper was asked to give the student speech at the COPH graduate celebration in 2013, which she said was incredibly memorable. She also reflected fondly on three study abroad trips she took during her time as a student to Panama, Malaysia and Europe.
Reflecting on the people who supported her throughout her public health journey, Cooper said Dr. Kay Perrin, former associate professor and assistant dean of undergraduate studies, and Natalie Preston, director of COPH’s Engagement and Constituent Relations, were great mentors for her.
Natalie Preston visited Cooper at a vendor event for Bougainvillea Naturals. (Photo courtesy of Cooper)
“Dr. Perrin played a huge role in me being able to make the dual program work and was one of the greatest influences I had while at the COPH. When I chose to concentrate in epidemiology, it was a huge thanks to her. She really believed in my strengths and encouraged me to pursue that role,” she said.
While juggling her academic responsibilities, Cooper was also working.
“It was incredibly stressful. I had so much on my plate and eventually started to experience some stress related hair loss,” she added.
Cooper said this is when she decided to start experimenting in her kitchen with natural hair products. She kept track of heating and ingredients that did and didn’t work, while her close friends and family helped by giving their feedback.
Still, she pressed on.
The Judy Genshaft Honor’s College student made history when she graduated in Dec. 2015 as the first student in the COPH to graduate with a bachelor of science in public health and master of public health in epidemiology and global communicable disease concentration simultaneously.
After graduation, Cooper moved to Tallahassee to start her first public health job at the Florida Department of Health in the Bureau of Epidemiology.
Jamilla Cooper (left) at the Florida Department of Health Research Experience Initiative receiving a certificate of achievement for successfully completing an initiative that supports the department’s vision of innovation and excellence. (Photo courtesy of Cooper)
“My first role there was as a program manager for the student interview team. It was the first of its kind in the State of Florida where we investigated foodborne illness cases,” she said. “We followed up on cases trying to find exposures to determine any outbreaks that were occurring. It was epidemiology in practice. I remained in that role for a couple years and then the pandemic hit.”
It was during this time that Cooper’s previous hair product experimentation in the kitchen laid the foundation for her to start her own small business in 2020, Bougainvillea Naturals.
Jamilla Cooper attends vendor events on the weekend to sell and promote the products from her business. (Photo courtesy of Cooper)J
According to their website, the business creates “handmade, plant-based and all-natural products that your hair and body will love that are free of drying sulfates, harsh parabens and carcinogenic phthalates.”
“I post research articles on our website about my natural ingredients because I am a researcher at heart,” Cooper said. “I use social media and attend local vendor events to promote my products. It is incredibly rewarding and a passion project of mine.”
While keeping her passion project growing, Cooper’s professional experience in public health grew as well.
“At the start of the pandemic, I was asked to help assist with the very first COVID-19 call center at the Florida Department of Health,” she said. “We had dozens of people working with us, mainly from colleges of public health. I oversaw the day-to-day operations and helped put together trainings to provide COVID-19 results.”
Once things stabilized, Cooper said she transitioned to a data analyst role for the health care acquired infections team at the Florida Department of Health.
“In that role I was responsible for working with data from the CDC and the national health care safety network,” she said. “It was my responsibility to track COVID-19 cases and supply shortages at dialysis facilities, skilled nursing facilities and long acute care facilities throughout the state of Florida.”
Cooper said the COPH’s impact on her life is significant.
“I learned many invaluable lessons that I’ve been able to implement in my professional career since graduation,” she said. “Chief among them is the importance of understanding the epidemiology of a population and the impact that it can have on their behavior and health outcomes.”
She added that the reputation of being a COPH graduate is notable. “The program is so well respected and so highly regarded at the state level,” Cooper said. “A lot of my senior leaders and management also went to USF.”
After briefly transitioning to a role outside of public health, Cooper said her passion got a second wind.
“I really missed being in the health care industry so I transitioned into my current pharmacy related role at a Fortune 100 company as a data analyst so that I could get back closer to public health,” Cooper said.
“I believe that data can tell you a story and I enjoy in my current role being able
to hear and discover the stories that the data are telling me every day,” she said.
“I also enjoy that I still get to observe and see the ways that different outcomes
occur amongst the populations.”
In the future, Cooper said she plans to continue remaining close to her roots in the public health field and in the hair product business while growing more of her skill sets.
Fast Five
What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
A physician.
Where would we find you on the weekends?
Vending with my Bougainvillea Naturals products.
What's the last book that you read?
“Night Crawling” by Leela Motley
What superpower would you like to have?
I would like to fly because I like to travel.
What is your all-time favorite movie?
“Love and Monsters”