Abigail Hoban

Name: Abigail Hoban
Major(s): Public Health with Epidemiology Emphasis
Graduation: April 2026

My name is Abigail, and I’m from North Carolina. I’m a senior at BYU and have loved being part of the honors program since my freshman year. I'm interested in health policy and infectious disease, and I'm currently working on a research project studying the access and effectiveness of a new vaccination focused on preventing RSV in infants. I’ve also interned in political fundraising and am in the process of applying to graduate programs in epidemiology. Outside of school, I enjoy listening to podcasts, going to the beach, and working as a swim instructor.

What sparked your interest in your major? I first became interested in Public Health while studying the Great Salt Lake in one of my Honors classes. I didn't know much about the lake, but I quickly became fascinated by how what I initially thought was just an environmental issue also had significant public health implications. This sparked a deeper interest in how everything, from the environment to social factors, connects to both individual and population health.

What’s one item on your bucket list? I want to go to Japan and see the Hello Kitty attractions. I was obsessed with Hello Kitty as a kid, and I’d love to live out that childhood dream by exploring Sanrio Puroland and trying all the themed food.

What’s the best-kept secret at BYU? Why? The planetarium! It’s on the fourth floor of the Eyring Science Center and offers shows and telescope viewings. While I’m no astronomy expert, I love gazing at the stars and learning about the meanings behind various constellations and aspects of our solar system.

Why did you decide to join the Honors Program? I joined the Honors program to enhance my undergraduate experience at BYU. I was really excited about the opportunity to take discussion-based classes on topics I had never studied or even considered before. I also loved how the Honors program would push me out of my comfort zone and involve me in experiences I hadn’t initially imagined having at BYU, such as completing an Honors thesis or writing a 20-page personal narrative paper.

What has been your favorite Honors experience? My favorite Honors experience was attending the Honors Conference at the end of the school year. I loved hearing about what other students were doing in the program. The conference helped me understand what was ahead of me in the Honors program, and I also got to meet tons of interesting people and learn about fascinating topics from Honors students across campus.

What is your next step in Honors? My next and final step in the Honors program is my thesis. I’m currently working on my prospectus, which focuses on RSV vaccinations for infants.