CLOSE MENU
CUNY SPH is deeply saddened to share that David Lee, a doctoral student in our Community Health and Health Policy track, died at home on Saturday, July 13.
David was a dynamic leader in public health, excelling in the academic, government, and nonprofit arenas. Their expertise was in disease surveillance and clinical informatics.
They held an MBA in decision science and information systems from Baruch College, an MPH in epidemiology from Columbia University, and a BA in English and biology from Binghamton University. They were working on their dissertation at the time of their passing.
At CUNY SPH, David was assisting with the creation of a new AI in Public Health course with Assistant Professor Karmen Williams for the Population Health Informatics program, as well as multiple planned projects in AI research with CUNY and Columbia researchers. In April, they reached the final round of the PRI Grand Challenge Competition for Innovations in Public Health Emergencies with a pitch focusing on data mesh using multiple city agency and other data sources. In the Fall of 2023, they presented their career journey and work in governmental public health in the Introduction to Population Health Informatics course.
In October, David was named among the de Beaumont Foundation’s 40 under 40 in Public Health.
“David was an absolute pleasure to speak with and work with from the first day we met,” says Dr. Williams. “They were always a wealth of knowledge and brightness that will be missed.”
“David was a mix of kind and passionate that is so rare,” says Associate Professor Meredith Manze. “They were a brilliant student, whose guiding light was always to better the health of the public. They were a true joy to have in our program.”
“On behalf of CUNY SPH, we offer our deepest condolences to David’s family, friends and colleagues,” says Dean Ayman El-Mohandes. “All those that knew them and interacted with them immediately realized they were meant to be a leader in their field. They were a powerhouse whose academic contributions will continue to enrich the study of public health. We wish peace upon all who knew them as they process this great loss.”
Donations for David’s fiancé and/or a charitable donation in their name can be sent via Venmo to @madhury-ray. Please include your name and organization.
Services will be held at Chun Fook Funeral Services, LLC (134-35 Northern Boulevard, Queens, NY, 11354) on Thursday, July 25 at 9:30 AM.
The funeral procession will begin at 12:30 PM from the funeral home to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery (80 Commerce Street, Hawthorne, NY 10532, Grave 10, Section 35). After the Funeral, a meal will be held for guests at a location to be determined.
To send flowers to the funeral, please contact florists Ivy & Tina at 212-619-1188, and give them the name of David Lee, Chun Fook Funeral Services, the date of 7/25/2024. Or directly speak to Mr. Sammy Kwan, branch manager, at Chun Fook for more information (718-353-2218).
To send money directly to the family, you can either donate in person at the funeral to the box provided or through PayPal.
Counseling and Wellness Services are available to students who are interested in getting bereavement support at CUNY SPH and/or receiving referrals to services in the community. Please email Director Sherry Adams to schedule an appointment with a counselor.
