Author Archives: Chloe Wolma

Election Information: the Inside Scoop from Emory Votes Initiative

Category : PROspective

As this years election is fast approaching, many of us have questions about navigating the voting process. With misinformation running rampant on social media and what seems like a countless number of registration deadlines to remember, voting can quickly become overwhelming. This past week, I was able to connect with 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) in search of some clarity about what we as voters need to be thinking about as we aim to fulfill our civic duty as voters. Keep reading for her responses to some of the most pressing election related questions!

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. 

What are some important dates/deadlines to keep in mind as the election approaches?

Tereza: The first one approaching is registration deadline on October 7! As it takes several weeks in GA to get one’s registration on the voters list, I advise everybody who have not registered yet and plan to vote in GA, to do so ASAP. 

Tereza also provided me a flyer with a full list of important dates, summarized here:

  • Mon. Aug 19 – First day to request an absentee ballot
  • Mon. Oct 7 – Deadline for voter registration/change of address
  • Tue. Oct 15 – Early voting begins
  • Fri. Oct 25 – Last day to request an absentee ballot
  • Fri. Nov 1 – Early voting ends
  • Tue. Nov 5 – Election Day! Polls open 7am-7pm (no RSPH classes meeting synchronously)

**Please note that the above dates/deadlines apply to voters in Georgia, and students voting in another state should confirm with local government to ensure all deadlines are met, as they may vary.**

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

How can Georgia residents register to vote?

Tereza: For GA residents, the process is easier as they can register online. After they register, they can check their voter status.

How can students with out-of-state residency register to vote?

Tereza: Out-of-state students need to physically fill out a voter registration form that they can print out or pick up from Woodruff Library or Center for Civic And Community Engagement office.

Steps: 

1) Fill it out. Print clearly! Write your name in #1 and your GA address in #2:

  • Clifton campus: 1762 Clifton Rd. Ste 1650, MSC ###, Atlanta, GA 30322. Your county is DeKalb.
  • Clairmont campus: 1946 Starvine Way, MSC ###, Decatur, GA 30033. Your county is DeKalb.

Your MSC number is found on your MyHousing portal. If you live off-campus, provide your street address and county. Include your birthdate (#4) and last 4 digits of your SSN (#5). For #6, read the text carefully. Then (if applicable) check the boxes, date and sign with ink.

2) Include a copy of your ID. This can be a U.S. passport or driver’s license/ID from any state. If you live off-campus, it’s also a good idea to include proof of GA residence: utility bill, bank statement, paystub, etc.

3) How to submit your application:

  • Scan your completed form and ID (both sides) into a PDF. Email to voterreg [at] dekalbcountyga [dot] gov. If you do not live on campus, make sure you know your county, it might be different from DeKalb County. If you live outside of DeKalb County, refer to your county elections website

After the registration is complete, one can look up their status here

**Note that the above steps apply to out of state students registering to vote in Georgia, and students voting in another state should confirm with local government to ensure all deadlines and steps are met, as they may vary.**

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).


HIV Surveillance Intern, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Key Population Surveillance Team (KPST) in the Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch) of the Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis (DGHT) is focused on advancing the quality of HIV surveillance among key populations (namely sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender women, and people who inject drugs). KPST provides technical assistance to countries on biobehavioral surveys and population size estimation activities, and this includes topics such as study design, implementation, data analysis, and results dissemination. 

The REAL student will provide support, under the guidance of team members, for the following activities:
• Key Populations Biobehavioral Survey Results Dashboard (35%):  Support for data entry, quality control process, and data visualization results dashboard
• Analysis projects (30%):  Support for data analysis projects using HIV biobehavioral survey data among key populations (project would be of the team’s and student’s interest)
• Biobehavioral Survey and Population Size Estimation Technical Resources (30%):  Support for the creation and maintenance of KPST’s survey and population size estimation technical resources, including the survey questionnaire, standard operating procedures and checklists for implementation, and summary sheet and final report templates. 
• Other (5%):  Other team projects requiring support as needed

Open to REAL Students.

Application Deadline: September 27th, 2024 at 11:59pm.

View posting on 12Twenty for more information and application instructions.


RISE Graduate Research Assistant, Emory Center for Reproductive Health Research in the Southeast (RISE)

The Center for Reproductive Health Research in the Southeast (RISE) at the Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH) is seeking a highly motivated student with a passion for research and evaluation to support a RISE Evaluation focused on training and mentorship. This project spans multiple data sources and years of work, more formally compiling rich information RISE has already collected and documenting historical and institutional knowledge from the RISE team. RISE anticipates summarizing this evaluation in a forthcoming publication as well as utilizing its outcomes to strengthen training activities and the ways they engage and uplift trainees and their collaborative work with RISE. The person in this position will work closely with and be directly supervised by Sophie Hartwig, RISE Co-Director of Administration. This position is for the Fall 2024 term with a possible extension into Spring 2025/beyond.

Regular tasks include but are not limited to:

  • Learning about RISE’s priorities, values, approaches as well as past training-related efforts
  • Conducting a literature review on center-level and justice-informed approaches to training/mentorship
  • Contributing to the development and implementation of an evaluation framework/plan
  • Analyzing a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative data
  • Contributing to manuscript development/writing
  • Assisting with development of oral/poster presentations
  • Attending weekly or bi-weekly progress meetings, and additional meetings as needed

Qualifications:

  • Currently completing a graduate degree in public health or a related field
  • Strong interest in reproductive health, rights, and justice
  • Comfortable working with sensitive topics including abortion
  • Prior experience with qualitative and/or quantitative analysis
  • Familiarity with the Reproductive Justice framework
  • Detail-oriented with strong organizational and communication skills
  • Ability to work efficiently and effectively both independently and as part of a team
  • Willingness to learn new skills related to program evaluation and research justice

Preferred:

  • One or more years of completed graduate coursework (entering graduate students will be considered with strong experience)
  • Experience with program evaluation (e.g., from past jobs, in coursework such as BSHES 530: Program Evaluation, BSHES 538: Qualitative Methods for Research & Evaluation)
  • Experience with MAXQDA qualitative software, Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint), data visualization techniques

Other details:

  • Hours: around 10-15 hours per week (variable by week)
  • Salary: $15 or 20/hour (depending on graduate program)
  • REAL or non-REAL accepted
  • Primarily remote/virtual work; occasional in-person meetings

Please apply through 12Twenty and include: 1) your resume or CV, 2) a brief statement of your interest and relevant experience (i.e., cover letter), and 3) an academic writing sample. Any past publications and/or examples of quantitative and qualitative work will strengthen consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Sophie via email.


Lead Epidemiologist or Research Data Scientist, University of Virginia Department of Infectious Diseases and International Health

Category : Alumni

The Department of Infectious Diseases and International Health at UVA is seeking a Lead Epidemiologist or Research Data Scientist to join Dr. Kathleen McManus’ research team. The research experiences will span a number of research projects that focus on HIV care, HIV prevention, and health policy. The overarching goal of Dr. McManus’s research is to quantify and characterize the impact of health policies on the United States’ plan to end the HIV epidemic and ultimately to improve health policies for people with HIV and those at risk for HIV. This position is a leadership role in strategizing, coordinating, and implementing data-related initiatives within the research team. Opportunities to generate and present scholarly work are expected. The role will require both careful management and analyses of large datasets, as well as, additional creative and challenging projects.

Minimum Requirements:

Data Scientist, Research

Education: Master’s Degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Data Science, or related fields
Experience: Three years of relevant experience.
Licensure: None

Data Scientist, Intermediate

Education: Master’s Degree required.
Experience: 3-5 years relevant experience.
Licensure: None required

This position will remain open until filled. View the application instructions and full job posting here.


Data Visualization and Storytelling for Public Health Professionals: How to Present Your Data in Meaningful and Impactful Ways, Region IV Public Health Training Center

Category : News/Events

This is a live webinar on September 24, 2024, from 12:00 pm-1:30 pm ET. Participants will use Zoom to join.

Data visualization and storytelling are powerful tools that can help you make sense of your data, as well as to communicate data insights, guide decision-making and persuade others. This webinar introduces the essential principles of data visualization and data storytelling. Participants will learn to transform data into compelling narratives and persuasive arguments, tailor visualizations for a specific audience, and avoid the most common data visualization and storytelling mistakes.

Dr. Amy Patterson, PhD, MHS, is an experienced public health practitioner and educator with 20 years of experience in health communication, mixed methods research, program evaluation, and public health pedagogy. She received an MHS in International Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a PhD in Behavioral Science and Health Education from Emory University. Dr. Patterson has worked with organizations such as The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Carter Center, Save the Children, the DeKalb County Board of Health (Georgia), Global Dialogues, and Catholic Relief Services on projects in Atlanta, Mali, Nigeria, and Ethiopia related to HIV, childhood immunization, malaria, refugee and migrant health, maternal and reproductive health, and neglected tropical diseases.

Dr. Patterson joined the faculty of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, in 2013 to take on the leadership of their undergraduate major in Public Health. During her tenure at Agnes Scott College, she has contributed significantly to developing and implementing the college’s signature initiative, SUMMIT, which integrates global learning, leadership development, digital proficiency, and preparation for professional success throughout the curriculum and co-curriculum. As part of SUMMIT, she has taught workshops on Data Storytelling with Tableau and Microsoft Excel: Beyond the Basics. She also coordinates a funded internship program for public health students and facilitates an annual series of workshops on Professional Success in Public Health for Public Health majors and minors.

Dr. Patterson volunteers regularly with the Atlanta Area Evaluation Association’s Pro Bono Evaluation program, providing evaluation support to local non-profits. She is deeply committed to public health capacity-building in all aspects of her work. 

Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify key applications for data visualization and storytelling in public health and their relevance to your work.
  • Employ the principles of effective data visualization to create images, graphics, and compelling narratives.
  • Tailor your data visualizations and stories to a particular audience.
  • Recognize and avoid the most common mistakes in data visualization and storytelling.

CERTIFICATE:The course contains three modules: a module for pre-webinar questions, a module to access the webinar, and an evaluation module. After accessing the three modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard.

Visit this link for more information and to access modules.


Syndemic Epidemiologist, Georgia Department of Public Health

Category : Alumni

As a Syndemic Epidemiologist within the Division of Epidemiology at the Georgia Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.  

Job Responsibilities

  • Work with epidemiologists in multiple areas, including but not limited to HIV, STI, and drug overdose surveillance to identify data sources. 
  • Conduct data matches across multiple data sources to evaluate and describe this co-occurrence of infections and other conditions that have been identified as syndemics.
  • Identify data sources that describe socioeconomic and other related contextual factors that impact the occurrence of these syndemics and apply data to analyses using a health equity lens. 
  • Collaborate with program partners to use data to identify potential needs in care and prevention activities. 
  • Work with the project coordinator for HIV cluster detection and response (CDR) to apply a syndemic framework to CDR data collection, review, and response planning.
  • Conceptualize and write annual reports related to these analyses.
  • Propose and develop syndemic-related data products based on feedback from local public health districts, including guidelines and data dashboards. 

Application deadline: September 29th 2024

For more information and application instructions, visit this link.


HIV C-CORE Project Coordinator, Georgia Department of Public Health

Category : Alumni

As a HIV C-CORE Project Coordinator within the Division of Epidemiology at the Georgia Department of Public Healthyou will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.

Job Responsibilities

  • Oversee the day-to-day activities of this project including timeline, budget, staff capacity, strategic planning, and project risk assessment. ensure deliverables are met in a timely manner.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all partners (DPH, Emory, local health departments, and community partners) and lead staff member for collaborations with other jurisdictions across the U.S. 
  • Oversee the development and monitoring of outcome measures for each strategy that is implemented. 
  • Update state guidance documents and SOPs.
  • Organize and facilitate team and state-wide meetings.
  • maintain an ongoing record of activities, successes, and challenges throughout the project life cycle. This project involves developing and providing guidance to other jurisdictions across the U.S., so evaluation of activities is critical.
  • Supervise and advise an evaluator who will assist in the development, data collection, and measurement of outcomes. 
  • Present project updates and key activities to leadership and at conferences.

Application deadline: September 29, 2024

For more information and application instructions, visit this link.


HIV C-CORE Evaluator, Georgia Department of Public Health

Category : Alumni

As a HIV C-CORE Evaluator within the Division of Epidemiology at the Georgia Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.   

Job Responsibilities

  • Work with the Project Coordinator to design evaluation methodologies and develop outcome measures for any activities that are implemented during the project. 
  • Lead public health program evaluations and needs assessments by monitoring, recording, and evaluating data related to the outcome measures. This may include, but is not limited to, partner participation in meetings, implementation of trainings for local Health Department staff, use of funds for response activities.
  • Collaborate closely with other epidemiologists and staff from the Office of HIV/AIDS and STI to identify gaps in qualitative and quantitative data collected from a disease surveillance system.
  • This position will be responsible for reporting outcome measures and presenting key findings to the project coordinator, leadership, and CDC project officers.

Application Deadline: September 29th, 2024

For more information and application instructions, visit this link.


Data Analyst, Chiu Lab of The Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine

Category : Alumni

The Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine and the Chiu Lab are seeking a full-time data analyst with strong administrative and programming skills to join the research team. Our focus is on developing and applying causal inference methods for pregnancy and cardiovascular health.

More details about our research can be found on our website: https://hanchiu.github.io/chiulab/research/

Requirements:

  • Proficiency in programming languages such as SAS or R.

Responsibilities:

  • Data cleaning, data management, variable creation for projects involving health administrative data and longitudinal cohorts.

  • Develop analytic databases using SAR or R

  • Work with investigators to prepare presentation or reports of studies procedures and results

  • Options for part-time and full-time remote positions are available

Start date: This position is available immediately and can be renewed annually.

To Apply: Please send the following documents to Yu-Han Chiu, MD, ScD, at yuhanchiu [at] psu [dot] edu

  • curriculum vitae

  • the name and contact information of two references


Coffee & Donut Career Conversations: Navigating Self-Advocacy and Storytelling, PASE Center

Category : News/Events

Join PASE on Tuesday, 9/24 from 12-1pm for an engaging and insightful midday event at our “Coffee & Donut Career Conversations,” where participants will explore the art of self-advocacy and the power of storytelling in shaping your career. This session is designed to provide practical strategies and inspiration for professionals looking to effectively communicate their strengths, experiences, and aspirations.

Event Highlights:

  • Interactive Workshop: Learn how to craft and deliver compelling personal narratives that highlight your unique skills and experiences.
  • Expert Panel Discussion: Hear from industry leaders and career coaches on the importance of self-advocacy in professional growth and how to navigate it successfully.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and mentors over coffee and donuts, and share your own career stories in a supportive environment.
  • Q&A Session: Get your questions answered and receive personalized advice on how to leverage storytelling in your career development.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to advance to the next level, this event will equip you with the tools and confidence to advocate for yourself and tell your story in a way that resonates with employers, colleagues, and industry leaders.

Register by September 24th at 11:45am 12Twenty!


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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