At the UTHealth School of Public Health, our goal is to educate and develop the next generation of exceptional, compassionate public health leaders. Increasing the availability of financial aid allows UTHealth and the School of Public Health a better opportunity to recruit and invest in the brightest minds to conduct research, train with our renowned faculty, and transform the future of public health.
The Dr. Christine Markham Scholarship in Honor of Graham Wontner-Smith was established by Christine Markham, Ph.D., a faculty member at the UTHealth School of Public Health. Dr. Markham is committed to recruiting and supporting outstanding students at the School of Public Health. As a faculty member for over 16 years, she has witnessed the impact that scholarships can have on the life of a student. It is her desire to create a scholarship with the purpose of honoring the life of her father, Graham Wontner-Smith.
After serving in World War II, Graham received his Master’s degree from Cambridge University. He had a successful career in fashion retail as Managing Director of Dickens and Jones and as a Director of Harrods, Ltd. Outside of retail, he served as a Governor for the Royal Russell School in Croydon for over 20 years. Graham was a frequent visitor to Houston, always eager to chat with faculty and students about their research. His legacy will remain a part of the School of Public Health and will provide an opportunity to students for years to come.
Dr. Markham is an associate professor and associate department chair in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the UTHealth School of Public Health. She is also associate director of the Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research. She is passionate about her research in child and adolescent health. Dr. Markham was a principal investigator for the It’s Your Game…Keep it Real randomized controlled trial. She was also joint principal investigator on a project to adapt It’s Your Game…Keep It Real for Native American and Alaska Native youth. Dr. Markham has been part of the School of Public Health for over 25 years, as a project director, doctoral student, and faculty member.
