"In addition to my experience as a policy analyst, I realized that I needed effective tools to determine what was and wasn’t working, as well as how to improve health programs for those not present at the decision-making tables."
Evaluating a healthier future
It was the beginning of 2020, and Canada was in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. Harris Manzoor was working at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) as a designated screening officer. Alongside officers from other federal and provincial partners, he assisted travelers at the Canadian border, ensuring they followed health protocols and met the requirements to enter the country.
That experience opened Manzoor’s eyes to the power of public health — and the gaps within the system. While continuing to work at PHAC, he landed his current role as a policy analyst, researching and learning about major public health issues in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and across Canada.
“There was so much misinformation around COVID-19 and vaccinations. Even among knowledgeable individuals — and especially in immigrant communities,” he explains. “In my own South Asian community, I saw how stigma, misinformation and unequal access to services could shape people’s health and confidence in the system.
“As a policy analyst, I witnessed the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on racialized and other marginalized communities. I wanted to combat misinformation and disinformation by providing science- and evidence-based guidance. In addition to my experience as a policy analyst, I realized that I needed effective tools to determine what was and wasn’t working, as well as how to improve health programs for those not present at the decision-making tables.”
That realization would lead him to the Master of Health Evaluation (MHE) program at the University of Waterloo.
Finding his fit at Waterloo
When Manzoor began exploring graduate programs to advance his public health career, his colleagues at the PHAC recommended Waterloo’s School of Public Health Sciences. The MHE program, with its stellar reputation and blend of evaluation, policy and applied research, aligned exactly with what he hoped to learn.
“When I looked at the courses — logic models, stakeholder engagement, qualitative and quantitative methods — I knew this was the right fit for me,” Manzoor says. “It felt practical, not just theoretical.”
Another huge draw of the program was its flexibility, which allowed him to study part-time while continuing to work full-time with the Government of Canada. And even though he lives and works in Winnipeg, he says, “I’ve never felt the distance. I’ve made a lot of good friends and connections, and the professors care about you. They're always there to support you.”
Blending work and study
One of Manzoor’s projects at the PHAC focuses on the safe and ethical use of data and artificial intelligence in public health. Overall, his work supports national programs that aim to reduce inequities, improve disease surveillance, and strengthen partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
Manzoor often finds that what he learns in the classroom applies directly to this work.
“I’m learning how to design evaluations, analyze data and communicate findings,” he says, “and then I get to use those skills every day.
“Now, when I look at a program or policy, I automatically think about who it serves, how it works and how it could be more impactful. I look at everything through an evaluation lens with measurable results.”
Mentorship that matters
One of the most influential parts of Manzoor’s graduate experience has been the mentorship he receives from faculty, especially Dr. Jennifer Yessis. Yessis is a program evaluation expert and associate director, professional graduate studies, in the School of Public Health Sciences.
“Jennifer makes strong connections with students,” Manzoor says. “She’s professional but personable and she’s shared so many valuable resources. Her passion for evaluation inspires me.”
The experiential learning opportunities Waterloo provides have also broadened his perspectives. Recently, MHE students travelled to the University of the Philippines Manila, where they learned about that country’s evaluation practices, health systems and digital health innovation.
Manzoor also represented Waterloo at the 2025 Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) conference and he’s looking forward to participating in the 2026 Student Evaluation Case Competition, where students build real evaluation plans under tight deadlines.
“These opportunities help me apply everything I’ve learned,” he says. “They push me out of my comfort zone and give me confidence.”
Looking ahead — and giving back
When asked what he’d tell someone thinking about graduate studies at Waterloo, his advice is simple.
“Apply as soon as you can! The MHE program gives you skills you can use right away. And the support you get — from faculty, mentors and classmates — is amazing. Waterloo is a place where you can ask big questions, explore new ideas and feel like you’re making a difference.”
For Manzoor, “making a difference” means helping to build a healthier, more equitable future.
He hopes to continue strengthening policies that promote health equity across Canada. Whether working with data, developing guidelines or engaging communities, he wants to build public health programs that better meet the needs of diverse groups and improve access to trusted health information.
“My goal is to one day help make policies that reflect the experiences of underserved communities.”