From Docside Clinic to U.S. Navy, one graduate's mission

As Peyton HerrNeckar, a Master of Public Health student in environmental health, prepares to graduate from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health this spring 2026, his next chapter is already taking shape on the water.

From conducting research at the DocSide Clinic to his next venture serving in the U.S. Navy, HerrNeckar’s past, and the future is grounded in service, prevention, and a commitment to protecting others' health.  

Since beginning his MPH, HerrNeckar has been dedicated to studying industrial hygiene, a public health concentration focused on workplace safety that entails anticipating risks, analyzing data, and implementing controls to prevent harm before it occurs. For HerrNeckar, he was drawn to apply to the School of Public Health, with its extensive Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, which is home to faculty experts who conduct research across the nation.

“I chose public health, specifically industrial hygiene, because it was what I wanted to do with my career,” he said. With experts in workplace safety, environmental hazards, and safeguarding where people live and work, the school was an immediate draw. “UTHealth Houston’s program was a great fit.”

 
During his time at the School of Public Health, HerrNeckar paired academic training with professional engagement. From joining nationwide groups dedicated to service and aiding research in the state, HerrNeckar made his mark. As a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, he built connections within the field and gained access to a broader network of professionals. “That experience allowed me to connect with others in industrial hygiene and ask questions about the field,” he said. But HerrNeckar not only wanted to work with experts in classrooms, but also on the water.  

Under the Docside Clinic, an initiative led by Shannon Guillot-Wright, PhD, associate professor for the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, which connects fishermen with access to primary health care, behavioral health care, and safety net social services, he was able to gain hands-on experience for his practicum in industrial hygiene. This experience strengthened his connection to the field while reinforcing his desire to work on the open sea.  

“The industrial hygiene track has allowed me to gain valuable training experience and explore different professional areas,” he said. “I’ve learned information I’ll be able to use and reference when I start my career.”  

That next step is already in motion. Following graduation, HerrNeckar plans to serve as an industrial hygiene officer in the U.S. Navy, pursuing a long-term military career. This is a critical role in settings such as the U.S. Navy, where maintaining safe environments in complex and high-risk conditions is essential. The field offers a direct path to serving others while applying scientific knowledge in tangible, high-stakes situations.

“Becoming an officer in the Navy will be one of the things I’m most proud of,” he said. 

With his degree in hand and a commission on the horizon, HerrNeckar is poised to begin a career rooted in service — applying public health principles to protect those who serve.