Author Archives: Chloe Wolma

Graduate Research Assistant, RSPH Department of Epidemiology

The Center for the Health of Incarcerated Persons (CHIP) seeks an MPH student, interested in HIV issues, including PrEP, who would like to assist project coordinators on a recently funded R61/R33 grant. This NIH/NIDA project will explore best practices to help persons living with HIV, or at high risk of seroconversion, connect to care after leaving Fulton County Jail. Preferences will be for a first year epi/glepi student to work with CHIP 10-20 hours a week, as a sole position, rather than juggle multiple GRA positions. Duties include assisting with the roll out of the project, preparing PowerPoint presentations, setting up databases, and other related duties. CHIP may have some community-facing activities in the Atlanta area focused on infectious disease research that would be appropriate for an APE experience starting next semester.

To apply, please send a cover letter, CV and a writing sample to Dr. Anne Spaulding (ASpauld [at] emory [dot] edu). The application deadline is November 22nd, 2024.

For more information and ways to contact Dr. Spaulding, please visit the job posting on 12twenty.


Election Reminders!

Category : PROspective

As you all have (hopefully) heard a million times by now, tomorrow (November 5th) is election day! RSPH classes will not be meeting synchronously, and those who have not yet voted are encouraged to use the day to submit their vote. Polls will be open from 7am-7pm on Tuesday, November 5th.

Here are a few reminders about the importance of civic engagement from Tereza Lewis from the Emory Votes Initiative (a nonpartisan initiative that fosters a civically engaged campus by providing voter information, increasing voter turnout, and empowering our community with credible political resources):

Why is it important for Emory students to register and vote in this upcoming election?

Tereza: Elections and voting are an essential component of a healthy democracy. While it’s not perfect, it certainly provides an important temperature check on what the status of our society is. We can currently see that if voting didn’t matter, there wouldn’t be attempts to stop it or challenge it. Moreover, we don’t only elect candidates but important measures and policies which can have a direct impact on our communities. 

Where can students find more information about the candidates on the ballot to make an informed voting decision?

Tereza: There are endless possibilities for how to find more information on the candidates and measures. The most important step is to know what’s on your ballot. You can find the information on the my voter page closer to the voting period or look up a general version on Ballotpedia.

On candidates and measures, one can use guides.vote, Vote 411, Ballot Ready, USA Gov, and many more.

On candidates, I personally tend to look up information on their campaign websites.

On measures, one can look at the NCSL Ballot Measures Database

For more information, please visit the Emory Votes Initiative webpage or visit the Rollins Election Day Initiative on social media (@emoryredi on X and @emory.redi on Instagram).


Discover Your Path: Public Health Consulting Career Discussion with Analysis Group, Rollins School of Public Health

Category : News/Events

Presenters:

Manasvi Sundar, Senior Analyst – MPH, Epidemiology ‘ 21

Olivia Barnum, Senior Analyst – MPH, Epidemiology ‘22

Join presenters for an insightful Employer Information Session with Analysis Group, a premier global economic consulting firm. This event is designed for students and professionals interested in exploring career opportunities in economic consulting and gaining a deeper understanding of the industry.

What to Expect:

  • Introduction to Analysis Group: Learn about the firm’s mission, values, and the impactful work they do across various industries.
  • Career Opportunities: Discover the range of roles available, from analyst positions to consulting opportunities, and understand the skills and qualifications that Analysis Group seeks in potential candidates.
  • Company Culture: Get a glimpse into the collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment at Analysis Group, where teamwork and professional growth are highly valued.
  • Q&A Session: Engage with representatives from Analysis Group and have your questions answered about career paths, the application process, and what it’s like to work at the firm.
  • Networking: Connect with Analysis Group professionals and fellow attendees to build valuable relationships and expand your professional network.

Who Should Attend:

This session is ideal for students, recent graduates, and professionals with an interest in economic consulting, data analysis, and business strategy. Whether you are actively seeking employment or simply curious about the field, this event offers valuable insights and networking opportunities.

The event will be held on November 12th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00pm in room R809.

Please register in advance on 12Twenty.


Student Data Analyst, Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs

The Atlanta VA is looking for students to help us analyze a wealth of data to measure improved health outcomes among veterans receiving care at the VA across an array of various preventive medicine, public health, and quality interventions.

The VA is currently looking for help analyzing the data for the following projects:

  1. Evaluating impact of USPSTF recommendations on veteran receipt of preventive services
  2. Evaluating impact of COPD order set on improving health outcomes
  3. Evaluating the use of point of care ultrasound to reduce length of stay, 90-day mortality, and 30-day readmission rates
  4. Evaluating the impact of the transitional care clinic on the reduction of 30-day readmission rates
  5. And many more!

If you are interested, please reach out to Aaron M. Harris (Aaron [dot] Harris1 [at] va [dot] gov) over email.



7 Podcasts that Epidemiologists Should Add to their Rotation

Category : PROspective

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a few go-to podcasts that you like to keep up with. Since starting at Rollins, I’ve been exploring new podcasts related to public health and epidemiology. They’ve been super helpful in staying informed about current events and happenings in the world of public health. So far, I have found 7 standouts that I definitely think every budding epidemiologist should give a listen to. I personally listen to all of these on Spotify, but they can be found pretty much wherever you get your podcasts.

  1. This Podcast Will Kill You – Exactly Right Media. TPWKY is hosted by Dr. Erin Welsh (PhD) and Dr. Erin Allmann Updyke (MD, PhD). They are both epidemiologists and disease ecologists who go over a different disease/medical mystery in each episode. So far, they have explored both chronic and infectious diseases from alpha-gal syndrome to Parkinson’s to hand foot mouth disease. As of today, there are 155 episodes with new ones being released weekly. As an added bonus, every episode features a “quarantini” cocktail recipe and a non-alcoholic “placeborita” recipe. 
  2. Public Health Epidemiology Conversations – Dr. CH Huntley, Epidemiologist. This podcast is my go-to for career advice and resources. Dr. Huntley (PhD) covers topics like networking, health equity, and choosing career paths in public health. Dr. Huntley frequently invites guests from all areas of public health onto the podcast, giving them a platform to share fresh perspectives on the topic at hand. Episodes are often shorter than the typical podcast (10-30 minutes long), making the podcast perfect for busy MPH students looking to get a jump on their careers.
  3. Patient Zero – New Hampshire Public Radio. This limited-series podcast hosted by Taylor Quimby dives deep into the Lyme disease epidemic across 7 episodes. Patient Zero took me be surprise, as I was not particularly interested in Lyme disease prior to listening. However, the episodes were very engaging and I feel much more informed about the epidemic after listening. I would definitely recommend giving it a try!
  4. America Dissected – Incision Media LLC. On America Dissected, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (MD, DPhil) explores a wide variety of topics that influence our health, including racism, corporate capitalism, and so-called “wellness” influencers. Dr. El-Sayed reminds us that public health is a holistic topic impacted by almost all facets of society, and I have enjoyed the way that he investigates the context of these connections. As someone interested in infectious disease epidemiology, I have found that America Dissected has kept me thinking about issues public health beyond just infectious disease.
  5. The Cost of Care – Lemonade Media. This is another limited-series podcast that every epidemiologist should tune into. Hosted by health economist David Smith, the Cost of Care teaches the listener about the healthcare system in America and explores some potential solutions to fix some of the issues that exists within it. Despite having no background in economics, I found this podcast very palatable, so don’t let Smith’s background deter you from giving it a try!
  6. Everything is Public Health – MJ and Cass. Similarly to America Dissected, this podcast dives into the ways that various systems in society are related to public health. The hosts have explored topics that I had never  considered through a public health lens, and I definitely feel like I have become a more well-rounded student since I have started listening. Episodes are relatively short at around 25 minutes each, so I would definitely recommend squeezing them into your weekly routine!
  7. Truthers: Tiffany Dover is Dead – NBC News. This limited-series podcast explores the bizarre conspiracy theory that nurse Tiffany Dover was replaced by a body double after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination in December 2020. Host Brandy Zadrozny, who is a reporter, does a great job in breaking down the origins of the conspiracy and how it played a role in the frenzy of vaccine related misinformation that was all to prevalent in the early days of the rollout. I remember hearing about this conspiracy in real time, so I enjoyed having it unpacked in its entirety. 

Happy listening!


Research Assistant in Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health

PI: Dayna A. Johnson, PhD, MPH, MSW, MS

Sleep Epidemiology Research Group (SERG): SERG is aimed at understanding the root causes of sleep health disparities and their impact on cardiovascular disease. Current research aims to understand the determinants of insufficient sleep and sleep disorders as well as the subsequent influence on blood pressure among Black or African American adults. SERG is seeking a student to work on the ARISE research study, which is enrolling Black adults in Atlanta and measuring social, environmental, sleep, and cardiovascular factors over 14 days. This research integrates social, environmental, and sleep epidemiology.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive): Assist in all research-related tasks of the Emory Sleep Epidemiology Group including, but not limited to, administering questionnaires, data entry, quantitative and qualitative analyses, literature reviews, and manuscript/grant preparation. Must be available to work on evenings and some weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Masters Student or Doctoral student
  • Quantitative analyses experience-experience with SAS and R
  • Familiarity with survey data
  • Focus group transcription
  • Strong verbal and writing skills (writing samples may be requested)
  • Experience with literature reviews
  • Strong interest in health disparities
  • Experience working with health disparity populations
  • Experience with GIS or spatial analyses preferred but not required
  • Detail-oriented
  • Excellent organizational skills and proactive approach

Hours: Approximately 10-20 hours per week

Please contact Bassey Enun at Bassey [dot] enun [at] emory [dot] edu/serg [at] emory [dot] edu with any questions relevant to this position.


Research Assistant for Technology and Aging Projects, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

The project is seeking an enthusiastic Research Assistant to support projects aimed at using technology to help older adults maintain independence. The role will focus on the launch of a new research lab, new projects setup, and deployment and monitoring of digital health technology in participants’ homes. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in digital health, gerontology, or technology research.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist in the setup of a new lab related to technology and aging research
  • Assist in the development of a research database (e.g., REDCap).
  • Assist in the installation, and maintenance of digital health technologies in older adults’ homes.
  • Provide technical support and troubleshooting for participants, ensuring the devices are functioning properly.
  • Conduct training sessions with older adult participants, explaining how to use the technology effectively and safely.
  • Collect and organize data for analysis and reporting purposes.
  • Assist in participant recruitment, including scheduling and coordinating study sessions.
  • Conduct follow-up with participants to ensure continued engagement and address any concerns.
  • Maintain accurate records of data collection, device usage, and participant feedback.
  • Support the research team with administrative tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

  • Interest or experience in working with older adults and digital health technology.
  • Comfortable with technology or willingness to learn about technology, including smart speakers and health tracking sensors.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain technical information in simple terms.

For more information and application instructions, visit the job posting on 12Twenty. Applications will be accepted through October 31st, 2024.


Policy Evaluation and Sexual Violence Intern, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

An estimated 67.8 million US women and about 36.2 million men have experienced some form of contact sexual violence. The risk for burden sexual violence is not shared equally across all groups, populations experiencing elevated risk of sexual violence include but are not limited to racial/ethnic minority groups, sexual and gender minority groups, and people with disabilities. The biological, psychological, and social impacts of experiencing sexual violence are well documented, including adverse health outcomes, suicidality, and financial and housing insecurity. Given the prevalence of sexual violence combined with its economic, psychological, physical, and social consequences, sexual violence is a serious public health problem. Like all forms of violence, sexual violence is preventable. Policies are considered public health interventions at the outer layers of the socio-ecological model that are well situated for violence prevention. Although the evaluation of policies at the community and societal level, e.g., legislation, has gained traction, there is currently no comprehensive systematic synthesis of the effectiveness of policies for violence prevention, including sexual violence. 

This project will support CDC’s Injury Centers priorities on preventing injuries and violence, and adverse childhood experiences. The purpose of this proposal is to provide an Emory REAL student with the opportunity to support a project examining the state of the literature on state and federal level policy evaluations and sexual violence. The Emory REAL student, mentored by a scientist from the Research and Evaluation Branch (REB), will assist with the data extraction and synthesis stage of a systematic review. Alongside their mentor, the Emory REAL student will develop a plan for integrating CDC’s generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology in the systematic review process of data extraction and synthesis. The Emory REAL student may support activities such as: Assist in data extraction for articles that made it to full-text review; Assist in integrating the capabilities of artificial intelligence across multiple stages of the systematic review process; Assist in preparing and presenting results from this project to other CDC colleagues.

For more information and application instructions, visit the job posting on 12Twenty. Applications will be accepted through January 2nd, 2025


Spatial and Environmental Epidemiologist, Washington State Department of Health

Category : Alumni

This role with the Office of Environmental Public Health Sciences (OEPHS) focuses on reducing health disparities and improving health equity in childhood lead exposure and poisoning in Washington State.

As part of the Healthy Homes and Communities Section, and reporting to the Epidemiology, Data, Systems, and Surveillance (EDSS) Unit Supervisor, you’ll work to increase provider awareness of lead risks and testing requirements for Medicaid-enrolled children.

Key responsibilities:

  • Conduct epidemiologic and spatial analyses to identify trends in lead exposure.
  • Perform data linkages between blood lead testing and Medicaid billing/enrollment data.
  • Develop performance indicators for Medicaid lead testing compliance.
  • Update lead risk factors displayed on the Washington Tracking Network.

Help protect vulnerable children from lead exposure while advancing health equity in Washington!

Location and Flexibility: We value work-life balance and offer the convenience of remote work with occasional in-person collaboration opportunities. Attending events or working In-office is rarely required and would be scheduled in advance. This is a remote/home-based position available to applicants residing anywhere in Washington State, as well as those living near the Oregon/Washington border and the Idaho/Washington border.

For more information and application instructions, visit the job posting linked here. Applications will be accepted until October 31st, 2024.


Upcoming Events

  • Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Seminar November 21, 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Seminar Series Event Type: Seminar SeriesSpeaker: George Tseng, PhDContact Name: Mary AbosiContact Email: mabosi@emory.eduRoom Location: CNR PLAZA - Rollins AuditoriumTitle: Multi-faceted and outcome-guided cluster analysis for disease subtyping of omics data

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