On behalf of the Delta Omega Phi Chapter, we are pleased to announce that we will now be hosting #TimeToWrite Writing Accountability Sessions starting Thursday, February 10th. In collaboration with RSPH Student Engagement and RSPH Enrollment Services, Delta Omega will host a dedicated time to focus on capstone, thesis, and other writing assignments each week in CNR 1000 from 4:00 – 8:00PM EST.
For each session, Delta Omega will also build-in a writing break dedicated to academic and social support. Participation in the workshop is optional for students who choose to attend writing accountability sessions.
The Writing Accountability Schedule for this month is as follows. Additional Writing Accountability Sessions for March and April will be announced at a later date.
Date
Designated Academic/Social Support Break
Registration Link
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Endnote Workshop with Emory Health Sciences Library
Dr. Kevin Ward from the Department of Epidemiology is seeking a highly organized research assistant to help with tissue acquisition activities for a large prostate cancer study taking place in Georgia. Attention to detail is critical and some prior lab experience would be helpful, although it is not required. Dr. Ward leads the Georgia Cancer Registry (GCR). The GCR is participating in the largest ongoing recruitment study in the U.S. for African American prostate cancer patients. Approximately 3000 men are enrolled in the study to date in Georgia (recruitment is ongoing) and almost half of these men have authorized access to stored tissue from around the time of diagnosis. Tissue retrieval is underway with over 600 specimens requested to date.
The research assistant’s primary responsibilities would include:
• working with study staff to receive, log and de-identify tissue blocks from outside laboratories every week
• preparing required paperwork for the Winship Cancer Tissue & Pathology Shared Resource (CTPSR)
• delivering de-identified blocks and pathology reports from RSPH to Winship CTPSR on a weekly basis
• receiving sectioned slides from the Winship CTPSR as they are completed
• conducting quality control on the sectioned slides received and preparing shipping logs for outside processing partner (John Hopkins University – JHU)
• packaging slides and de-identified pathology reports for weekly shipments to JHU
• retrieving the original blocks from Winship CTPSR and returning them to RSPH
• removing the de-identification labels from the blocks and preparing shipments of blocks back to the providing laboratories.
This position requires on campus work, pays $15.00/hr, and can support 10-20 hours per week. Work will be ongoing throughout the summer. Please email your resume to kward [at] emory [dot] edu if interested.
Apply to join Emory’s Outbreak Response Team as part of your Applied Practicum Experience (APE)!
This small team, which is part of the Emory COVID Response Collaborative (ECRC) and led by Dr. Jodie Guest, provides COVID-19 resources to communities in Georgia that are disproportionally affected by the pandemic. In the past, the ORT’s work has ranged from organizing and running COVID-19 testing and vaccination events to delivering masks to students through a school meal delivery program.
Applications for the ORT are due by February 21st at 11:59 PM EST.
You can apply here and learn more about the program here.
The Global Field Experience Financial Award (GFEFA) is a unique scholarship offered by the Rollins School of Public Health. GFE Financial Awards provide supplemental funding to support Rollins student summer field experiences in low- and middle-income countries. The scholarship was started to encourage students interested in global health to participate in supervised field training which will facilitate the transfer of classroom knowledge into practical experiences.
The total amount of funding awarded each cycle will be based on availability of funds in a given year, the number of students who apply and the quality of the applications.
MSPH and MPH students from all departments are eligible to submit a proposal for a GFE Financial Award and must be enrolled at Rollins for the semester prior to their field experience to qualify for an award.
Students can apply to receive a GFE Financial Award after they have completed 9 hours at Rollins. To apply, students must develop and submit an application describing a project that is:
· Well-defined, rational, and feasible
· Integral to the student’s public health training
· Of measurable value to the host organization/community, and
· Based in a clearly articulated, mutually beneficial partnership
It is important to note that the GFE Financial Award on its own does not provide you with an Applied Practice Experience. Rollins School of Public Health has separate resources dedicated to Applied Practice Experience (APE).
GFEFA Student, Project and Site Eligibility and Exclusion Criteria
Student
· The GFEFA applications are open to RSPH MPH and MPSH students pursuing summer fieldwork, usually between their first and second years. GFEFA is not available to accelerated MPH students.
· The field experience must be a minimum of six weeks but average field experiences are between 10 ‐ 12 weeks.
· Students must be enrolled at RSPH or Emory for the semester following their field experience to qualify for a financial award (and to meet award requirements).
Project
· For the purposes of GFEFA, a field experience is defined as applying public health knowledge and skills in partnership with a community to advance the wellbeing of a population(s); this includes but is not limited to research projects.
· Funding is not provided for student travel that can be categorized as medical- or public health-“tourism;” short term mission opportunities; or shadowing clinicians in settings abroad. Students are also warned not to fall prey to third-party companies that “sell” experiences in LMIC and call these APE even though they do not offer public health supervision nor a specific implementation/research partner. Such organizations often charge for a service such as tuition, enrollment or registration. If you are not sure if your site is eligible, please contact Dr. McFarland.
· If a project will consist only of data analysis or lab-based work, the applicant will need to justify why those activities require a student to be in-country.
Site
· The review committee gives priority consideration to eligible fieldwork that takes place in low- and middle-income (LMIC) nations as defined by the World Bank or within indigenous regions, e.g. tribal designated statistical areas (TDSAs), land base or reservations.
· Consideration will be given to projects in the United States and other high-income countries for specific projects related to underserved or marginal populations, e.g. refugee populations in Belgium, post-hurricane environmental data collection in Puerto Rico or Zika virus education and surveillance in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
· The review committee will not consider applications to countries with a U.S. State Department Level 4 warning at the time of application. Should the risk of a project site escalate after funds are awarded, additional criteria may apply and there is a chance the trip may not occur at all. In addition, travel to all countries under trade or economic embargoes by the United States government (OFAC) and Afghanistan require a specific endorsement by Emory’s international insurance carrier.
· There will be modified site eligibility in summer 2022
As our world and country transition, heal and continue to battle the challenges and hardships of the pandemic, a new group of determined and resilient candidates are applying to Ph.D. programs in epidemiology. From social risk factors to infectious diseases, students are interested in having the opportunity to drive innovative research in epidemiology, develop new methods, and address structural injustices that have impacted their communities. While many applicants are at different stages of the application process (i.e., thinking about potential programs, drafting personal statements, seeking reference letters, or preparing for interviews), many want to get more insight into the application process and what it is like to be a first-year Ph.D. student. In light of this, I would like to share some advice and experiences from the application process to my first year.
Applying to Ph.D. Programs.
Applying to Ph.D. programs during a pandemic can be overwhelming and bring some anxiety. More people are applying to programs than in previous years, programs are getting more selective, and the pool of applicants is getting more competitive. On the other hand, applicants are experiencing more financial, physical, and mental health barriers than in previous cycles. For those going through the application process or thinking about applying, my advice is to plan ahead, create a personal timeline, and keep constant communication with the programs you are interested in. Creating a personal timeline will not only reduce stress but also keep you accountable for meeting personal deadliness –a key skill you will need as a Ph.D. student! Furthermore, it will give you flexibility for situations that might come up last minute. Lastly, constant communication with programs will allow you to learn more about their values, strengths, and community. If you think you are taking someone’s time, you are not! Faculty, students, and program administrators look forward to sharing their work with prospective applicants, learning more about their interests, and sharing information about their programs. At least I can guarantee that you will find this to be true at Emory!
You Were Accepted—Now What?
Whether you received multiple offers or got the one offer you wanted, congratulations! Your hard work has paid off! Now what? While you need to rest and celebrate the magnificent news with your friends and family, there are some proactive steps you can take before your first day as a Ph.D. student. For those who have to make a decision, this time is paramount to getting to know programs better. Arrange virtual meetings, ask questions, contact potential advisors, compare offers, identify the strengths and weaknesses of the program, and, if allowed, arrange an in-person visit. In the end, you want to make a well-informed decision and ensure that the program is the right fit for you. For those who committed to a program, in addition to some of the steps mentioned above, I would suggest getting to know your cohort and current students. This is a great time to get to know people with similar interests and share ideas on how to prepare and make the most out of the program.
What Should You Expect from Your First Year?
While the answer to this question will vary among programs, I would provide some insights into what to expect from your first year at Emory. First, your first two years will be a combination of courses, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships –and your schedule will vary according to your previous degrees and courses taken. If you are interested in learning more about the specifics, I encourage visiting Emory’s Ph.D. Epidemiology requirements or program administrators to learn more about the requirements. Second, at Emory, you will find guidance and structure. Starting a Ph.D. program can feel like a Walmart experience, where there are tons of projects that you can get involved with, but you might not know where to start. While it is great to get involved in projects early on, it is okay to use your first semester to communicate your goals to your advisor, take your time in learning more about faculty’s research, and narrow down your interests. The good news is that all Ph.D. students at Rollins are required to take PUBH 701, a fantastic course that will allow you to think critically about your research agenda, time management skills, planning, career decisions, and individual development plan. Lastly, at Emory, you will find support, respect, and value for students and colleagues. You will find a diverse and welcoming community with a collaborative student body and faculty willing to listen to your needs, learn about your interests, and provide you with the tools you will need to accomplish your goals. At Emory, you will find people who care for you and who want to see you succeed.
While this short piece covers multiple topics that could be extended, I hope I briefly shared some of my experiences from the application process to my first year as a Ph.D. Epidemiology student at Emory. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions! I would be happy to meet with you or connect you with someone who can help you.
Jorge is a PhD student in the Department of Epidemiology at Rollins School of Public Health. His research interests lie at the intersection of Latinx health, immigrant health, type 2 diabetes, and cardio-metabolic outcomes across the lifespan. Specifically, he is interested in the intergenerational psychosocial risk factors of immigrant populations and the role of potential mediators in reducing the risk of diabetes-related outcomes.
This meeting is for first year EPI students interested in HIV and Sexual Health. Epi HIV faculty will discuss available thesis topics and the process to match with one of these topics/faculty.
The meeting will take place on 2/22/22 from 12-1 PM.
Summary: 32BJ Health Fund is looking for a talented Senior Health Analyst II to drive forward complex analyses on claims data to generate insights that inform strategic decisions of the Executive leadership. This person needs to be passionate about working with dirty data, be flexible in dealing with ambiguity, be a mentor to others and be a master storyteller.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Support the Health Fund’s commitment to improving lives of 32BJ members by providing high-quality health benefits
Develop and execute analyses on claims data to measure trends in utilization and costs of healthcare services
Evaluate performance of current benefit plans to identify opportunities for improvement in quality and cost
Coordinate resources to support other internal units within the Fund to facilitate outreach to members
Summarize highly complex data insights into compelling stories and accurate results
Review and QA work produced by Senior Health Analysts and provide them with direction and technical advice
Effectively communicate findings and recommendations to the Executive leadership
Provide direction and support to help analysts overcome technical issues, setting of priorities and developing timelines
Identify areas for future focus and opportunities to develop impactful projects
Establish collaborative relationships with vendors and other partners to improve care
Technical Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
At least three (3) years of work experience in health claims analytics and leading projects
Strong health care policy, research and statistics background
Project management and/or people management experience preferred
Strong writing and presentation skills with the ability to express complex analyses in a simple to understand language and visuals
Knowledge of common statistical approaches to hypothesis testing and bias reduction in observational studies
Must have a strong knowledge of ICD9/10, Revenue, DRG and CPT coding and general health care reimbursement methodologies
Strong knowledge of Stata statistical software is preferred
Some experience with SQL, Python, and QlikView is desirable
Work Ethic:
Ability to manage multiple workflows with excellent organizational and analytical skills. Passion to understand and pursue outlying data points and to clarify opaque findings
Ability to find insights in data and to effectively share findings with technical and non-technical audiences
Team oriented and very collaborative
Ability to prioritize work, seek support when needed, communicate timelines and meet deadlines
Education and/or Experience: Master’s degree in Public Health or a related field is strongly preferred.
Join us for part 3 of this free webinar series on 2/23/22 from 12-1:30 PM
Now that we have a clear picture of what the problem is and who the problem affects, we are going to explore the weeds of it through journey mapping. This is done by walking through each step of the experience that accompanies your problem as it currently exists, paying particular attention to the pain points which can become opportunities. For example, you might consider the current experiences that community members have when trying to access fresh and healthy food in their neighborhood. The first step may be online research to find local, and affordable food sources. A pain point that could be identified is that people don’t know what to search or where to look. Using this same process, we will comparatively make an ideal experience, then contrast the two to identify possible solutions.
Two fellowship opportunities are currently available on the Emerging Threats Team in the Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders (DBDID) within the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The participant will have the opportunity to gain experience in conducting research and surveillance activities, as well as collecting, reviewing, and analyzing epidemiologic and programmatic data. He/she will train on projects that focus on the role of prenatal exposures on pregnancy and infant outcomes. Prenatal exposures of interest include, but are not limited to: COVID-19, hepatitis C, syphilis, Zika virus, and other infectious diseases.
Learning Objectives: There are several main learning objectives that this appointment could include:
Gain familiarity with the Surveillance for Emerging Threats for Mothers and Babies Network (SET-NET) which includes mother-baby longitudinally linked surveillance for the US Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry and adapted surveillance for COVID-19, hepatitis C, syphilis, and other infectious diseases
Gain familiarity for other Zika surveillance and research projects in Colombia: Proyecto Vigilancia de Embarazadas con Zika (VEZ) and Zika en Embarazadas y Ninos (ZEN)
Enhance skills in performing data management and analysis through the collection, review, and analysis of epidemiologic and programmatic data generated by these surveillance systems and studies, and other projects involving epidemiologic and programmatic data from emerging threats surveillance and research work and other relevant infectious diseases during pregnancy and effect on infant health
Develop protocols and standard operating procedures for surveillance and research activities, leveraging existing surveillance and study platforms to capture pregnancy, birth, clinical and developmental outcomes arising from a range of maternal exposures during pregnancy
Perform literature reviews and, where needed, systematic review and meta-analyses to describe existing evidence of the influence of infectious diseases and other in-utero exposures on fetal and infant development
Engage in CDC emergency response efforts
Collaborate and engage other staff from the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), other CDC centers, institutes, or offices, other federal and state organizations and partners, and international health ministries and organizations
Qualifications: The qualified candidate should have received a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing one of the degrees with completion by the end of May 2022. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
Good written and oral communication skills
Strong data management and analysis skills, with experience in SAS, STATA, or R
Interest in maternal and child health issues, with a particular interest in the impact of infectious disease during pregnancy on fetal and child development
Some baseline knowledge or interest in COVID-19, hepatitis C, syphilis, Zika, or infectious disease epidemiology and the epidemiology of STORCH pathogens
The Summer Institute in Statistics and Modeling in Infectious Diseases (SISMID) July 15, 2024 – July 31, 2024
Conference / Symposium
Event Type: Conference / SymposiumSeries: The Summer Institute in Statistics and Modeling in Infectious Diseases (SISMID)Speaker: Leaders in the FieldContact Name: Pia ValerianoContact Email: pvaleri@emory.eduLink: https://sph.emory.edu/SISMID/index.htmlThe Summer Institute in Statistics and Modeling in Infectious Diseases (SISMID) is designed to introduce infectious disease researchers to modern methods of statistical analysis and mathematical modeling.
Functional Biomarkers for Early Detection and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy August 5, 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Zoom
Online Location: ZoomSeries: EGDRC Seminar SeriesSpeaker: Dr. Machelle PardueContact Name: Wendy GillContact Email: wggill@emory.eduLink: https://tinyurl.com/Machelle-PardueDr. Pardue’s lab is focused on clinically relevant treatments for retinal disease that can make a difference in the quality of life of patients. She is developing novel screening and treatment strategies for early-stage diabetic retinopathy and elucidating the retinoscleral mechanisms…
The Second Annual RSPH Staff and Post-Doctoral Ice Cream Social August 14, 2024 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Networking and Special Event
Event Type: Networking,Special EventContact Name: Staff CouncilContact Email: rsphstaffcouncil@emory.eduRoom Location: RRR_Terrace 2nd FloorRSPH staff and post-docs are invited to join us for ice cream and delightful conversation. This event is hosted by the RSPH Staff Council.
Recent Comments