Author Archives: Chloe Wolma

Acing the Fellowship Application Process

Category : PROspective

Applying for fellowships can feel like a full-time job—especially when you’re juggling coursework, research, and a thesis or dissertation. But landing the right fellowship can open doors to incredible career opportunities, mentorship, and hands-on experience in your field. Whether you’re eyeing a public health agency, a research institute, or a global health nonprofit, these tips will help you navigate the process and put your best foot forward.

  • Start Early & Stay Organized – Fellowship applications aren’t something you want to throw together at the last minute. Many require personal statements, writing samples, and multiple recommendation letters—things that take time to craft (and time for your recommenders to write!). Create a spreadsheet with deadlines and required materials so nothing falls through the cracks.

  • Tailor Your Application – A one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it. Each fellowship has its own priorities and mission, so tweak your resume, cover letter, and essays to reflect what they’re looking for. Highlight the skills and experiences that make you a perfect fit, whether that’s data analysis, community engagement, or policy work.

  • Leverage Your Network – If you know someone who’s been through a fellowship program you’re interested in, reach out! Alumni, faculty, and current fellows can provide inside info on what the selection committee values, what the interview process is like, and how to craft a standout application. A well-placed email or LinkedIn message can go a long way.

  • Showcase Impact, Not Just Experience – It’s not just about what you’ve done—it’s about the difference you’ve made. Instead of simply listing job duties, frame your experiences in terms of outcomes. Did your research inform a policy change? Did your data analysis lead to a new intervention? Use concrete examples and, if possible, numbers to show the real-world impact of your work.

  • Prepare for Interviews – If you get an interview, congratulations! Now’s the time to practice talking about your research, your skills, and why you’re a great fit. Many fellowships look for strong communicators who can explain their work clearly, so practice with friends, mentors, or even in front of a mirror. Be ready for behavioral questions, like “Tell me about a time you faced a challenge in a research project.”

  • Consider Multiple Options – Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. There are fellowships in government (like CDC EIS or ORISE), academia, nonprofits, and even the private sector. Each has its own perks, from hands-on policy experience to deep research opportunities. Applying to a mix of programs increases your chances of landing one that fits your career goals.

  • Follow Up & Stay Engaged – After submitting your application or completing an interview, send a quick thank-you email to the people you spoke with. If you don’t get the fellowship, don’t burn bridges—staying in touch with program coordinators or former fellows can lead to other opportunities down the road.

Fellowship applications can be daunting, but with a solid strategy and a little persistence, you can land an opportunity that propels your career forward. Good luck—you’ve got this!


Public Health Educator, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Category : Alumni

The Public Health Educator (PHE) will provide coverage of critical health education, community outreach and communication functions for the Bureau of Tobacco Control (BTC), including coordination, development and dissemination of key data, information and talking points to internal and external partners. The PHE will sit on the communications team within the BTC, providing continuity with the health communication efforts that aim to advance health equity within the BTC, across the DOH, with external grantees and partners, and to the public at large.
The PHE will be responsible for researching, developing, and implementing public health education programs for the BTC. The PHE will coordinate the development of materials and presentations intended to educate community grantees, decision makers, and other key partners on best practices in tobacco control, particularly as they aim to advance health equity and racial justice for populations most impacted by the tobacco industry. The PHE will manage and coordinate internal and external program communications and will maintain and enhance partnerships with local health departments and community organizations including drafting and disseminating of press releases, ECUs, program-generated correspondence, internal and external reports, BTC website pages, and BML replies to industry, partners and the public.

Applications for this full-time position are due by April 1st. For more information and application instructions, visit the job posting linked here


Student Funding Opportunity, Emory Prevention Research Center

The CDC-funded Emory Prevention Research Center’s (EPRC) mission is to prevent cancer and to reduce health disparities in rural Georgia and beyond.

The EPRC seeks to fund 5 student awards of up to $1,000 each for conducting community-engaged research in Georgia as part of thesis and dissertation projects.

Eligible students will be master’s or doctoral students at Emory with a thesis or dissertation research project conducted in collaboration with a community partner. The research should focus on chronic disease prevention (i.e. cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes) and/or social determinants of health (i.e. economic stability, housing, education, built environment, food security, etc.). The research can be at any stage (e.g., data analysis) and does not require in-person data collection.

To apply:

  • List your name, department and school, advisor’s name, degree sought
  • Provide a summary of your research project with these sections (2 page max):
    • Chronic disease or social determinant of health focus
    • Research questions and methods
    • Description of community partner and their role in the research
    • Timeline
  • Budget and justification (funds can be used for research-related expenses only)
  • Provide a letter of support from your community partner (recommended but not required)

Email applications to lbundy [at] emory [dot] edu by 5pm on April 21, 2025.


Study: Stress in MPH Students, Qualitative Research Course

Category : News/Events

Students in an RSPH qualitative research course are seeking participants for their study on stress in MPH students. They will be conducting 1 hour interviews with RSPH students enrolled in an MPH program who have completed at least one full semester. Participants must be on a full time or accelerated track; online and part time students are not eligible to participate.

Recruiting will continue through the end of March.

To get involved, scan the QR code below.


Lunch and Learn, Emory Prevention Research Center

Category : News/Events

Topic: Culturally Responsive Research and Evaluation Training

When: March 26th, 2025, from 12-1:30pm

Location: RRR L20

*Bring Your Own Lunch*

Register using the form linked here


Pilot Project LOI and REC Training Awards, Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

The Goizueta ADRC is actively soliciting applications for the following programs:

  • Pilot Projects:
  • REC Training Awards:
    • Opportunity for enhanced training in dementia-focused research (3 – 5 candidates)
    • Applications due April 7, 2025
    • Application linked here.

Following review of pilot project LOIs, applications will be invited with a submission deadline in early April.

Areas of research can range from basic and clinical investigations to education, lifestyle, and caregiving. Studies of pre-clinical phases of disease and approaches useful in differentiating disease processes from normal aging, as well as multi-etiology dementia, early interventions, imaging and biomarkers, and minority issues are encouraged. Projects are intended for advanced graduate students, new/early-stage investigators, or established researchers seeking new directions; applications from women and minorities are encouraged. Applicants may consult with ADRC scientists for strategic and statistical advice.

Review criteria for pilot projects include:

  • Novelty and importance of the proposed research
  • Likelihood of generating independent funding and publishable results
  • Use of GADRC resources (e.g., subjects or clinical data from participants, tissue and/or fluid samples, DNA, neuroimaging, proteomic & genomic resources, etc.), Cognitive Empowerment Program (CEP) resources, and/or resources available through the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) and/or the National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (NCRAD) is strongly encouraged.
  • Proposed work should adhere to NIH guidelines for statistical rigor, gender balance, animal welfare and protection of human subjects

REC Training Awards:

The REC provides support for trainees who are interested in developing greater experience in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia (ADRD) research, through enhanced mentoring and curricular activities.

For questions regarding eligibility or appropriateness of potential research projects, please contact Laura Donnelly at ldonnel [at] emory [dot] edu.


Change Analyst, Flourish and Thrive Labs

Category : Alumni

Flourish and Thrive Labs is a woman-owned and led consulting firm specializing in public health solutions. The team, composed of former public health officials, collaborates with state and local health departments nationwide to build resilient public health operating systems. The company prioritizes ethical standards, teamwork, and mutual support.

Flourish and Thrive Labs operates like an urban neighborhood—a diverse group of individuals coming together to work and embrace the beauty of that diversity. The team is known for its joyful and unconventional approach, recently mailing stickers to over 200 local health professionals simply to spread joy.

As partners with Salesforce, Microsoft, and AWS, the firm specializes in technology implementation with a strong people focus. This expertise is combined with strategic planning, data analysis, coaching, and facilitation to support local public health department staff effectively.

Core Values:

  • People First
  • Focus on Capacity Building
  • Belief in Continuous Experimentation
  • By Public Health; For Public Health
  • Do What Is Right. Always.

Flourish and Thrive Labs is seeking passionate, joyful individuals who align with its ethos of being different and making a difference.

Position: Change Analyst

Flourish & Thrive Labs is hiring a Change Analyst to support its innovative work in data modernization across local and state health departments. This role will play a key part in implementing the organization’s data modernization maturity model and guiding public health organizations through transformative change. The ideal candidate will have experience managing data-focused organizational change within public health settings and will help agencies embrace modern data practices and cultures.

Salary: $75,000 per year (including fully paid health insurance premiums for employees and their families, life insurance, and short-term disability).

Key Responsibilities:

  • Execute change management plans for data stewards using ADKAR/PROSCI methodologies
  • Facilitate training and onboarding programs
  • Coordinate Enterprise Data Platform (EDP) user group activities
  • Build relationships with data stewards (primarily epidemiologists)
  • Support data governance initiatives
  • Monitor and evaluate change adoption success

Required Skills:

  • Background in data management or epidemiology
  • Demonstrated experience with ADKAR, PROSCI, or equivalent change management frameworks
  • Strong communication and facilitation skills
  • Understanding of change management principles
  • Ability to translate complex concepts for various audiences
  • Experience with data systems and governance
  • Ability to work with AI tools and large language models

Additional Information:

  • Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
  • Willingness to adhere to a no-drug workplace policy.
  • Employment verification via eVerify is required upon hiring.
  • Applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged, even if not all listed qualifications are met.

Data Science Webinars, NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Category : News/Events

he NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Central Repository is hosting two upcoming webinars on Artificial Intelligence that will feature presentations by experts in data science at the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) 4.0 Data Science Learning Program. These sessions are geared towards all researchers interested in exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its real-world applications.

Upcoming Webinars:

  1. Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals
  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 2-3:30 PM ET 
  • Description: This session is designed for researchers looking to understand the foundational concepts of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
  • Agenda Highlights:
    • What is AI & Data Science? 
    • AI vs. Data Science 
    • How Machines Learn 
    • Responsible AI & AI in Action 
    • AI Approaches & Examples 
    • AI in Enterprise Operations 
  1. Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals Applications
  • Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 2-3:30 PM ET
  • Description: This session builds on the Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals webinar and focuses on AI applications in real-world settings.
  • Agenda Highlights:
    • Statistics versus Machine Learning
    • Model Metrics
      • Classification: Accuracy, Precision, Recal
      • Regression: MAE, MSE, RMSE, R-squared
    •  
    • Neural Networks and Their Applications
      • Feedforward Neural Networks
      •  Increasing Complexity
      • Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN)
      • Recurrent Neural Network (RNN)
      • Transformer Learning
      • Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN)
    •  

Hispanic Leadership Development Fellowship, National Hispanic Medical Association

Category : Alumni

The Hispanic Leadership Development Fellowship Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health. The fellowship is offering current graduate students and recent graduates a paid 9-month leadership opportunity to prepare for career opportunities within public health agencies and increase awareness and competency in health equity knowledge and practice.

The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) Hispanic Leadership Development Fellowship (HLDF) is a 9-month, in-person, paid fellowship program that pairs current masters level students or recent graduates (must have graduated within past 2 years) with an HHS agency in the DC/Metropolitan area.  The program will run from September 1, 2025 – May 29, 2026.

Program Components:

  • Fellows will be paid a salary of $5,500 per month, for 9 months, working 40 hours per week
  • Health insurance including medical, dental and vision, will be provided during the fellowship duration
  • NHMA will only cover relocation travel costs associated with: 1) One round trip to and from the Washington, D.C. area, 2) Up to $575 and incidentals associated with one day of travel to and from D.C area.
  • Fellows will be responsible for securing housing.
  • Fellows will receive support from the NHMA Staff, host site mentors, and personal NHMA mentors
  • Fellows will be required to participate in virtual and experiential learning activities throughout the 9-month program
  • Fellows may have the opportunity to present their work at their Host Site placements & final projects to OMH and NHMA Leadership.

Criteria & Eligibility:

  • Current master’s level student or have a graduation date from a master’s program within 2 years
  • Strong interest in working in HHS
  • Must be able to relocate to Washington, D.C
  • Must be eligible to work in the United States
  • Must be a current NHMA Member (Student membership $20)

Applications due March 10th, 2025. For more information and application instructions, visit the posting on 12Twenty.


Stand Up for Science Rally

Category : News/Events

Happening on Friday, March 7th

There will be a Stand Up for Science rally from 12-4pm at the State Capitol building. This rally is a part of a national initiative and is one of many events that will be happening around the country. More information about this local rally can be found here.


Upcoming Events

  • Humphrey NoonTime Seminar Series April 3, 2025 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Seminar Series; zoom.us… Online Location: https://zoom.us/J/95658300925Event Type: Seminar SeriesSeries: Humphrey NoonTime Seminar SeriesSpeaker: Humphrey FellowsContact Name: Deirdre RussellContact Email: dwruss2@emory.eduRoom Location: RRR_R809Link: https://zoom.us/J/95658300925the Humphrey Fellowship, a Fulbright Exchange Program proudly present a series of presentations from around the world.Participants may join via zoom or in person Pizza will be provided.
  • “UniLasso”— a novel statistical method for sparse regression April 10, 2025 at 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Seminar Series; zoom.us… Online Location: https://zoom.us/j/92231723229Event Type: Seminar SeriesSeries: Biostatistics and BioinformaticsSpeaker: Robert Tibshirani, PhDContact Name: Mary AbosiContact Email: mabosi@emory.eduRoom Location: CNR_8030 Lawrence P. &Ann Estes Klamon room“UniLasso”— a novel statistical method for sparse regression

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