#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet Veronika Laird

Veronika is a rising second-year student interested in researching zoonotic diseases and will be completing her APE this summer with Dr. Guest and the Emory Outbreak Response Team! We chatted with her about this, some fun facts about her, and more!

Tell us a little bit about your academic history/where you went to school.

I studied integrative biology with a minor in chemistry and global health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in their honors program. I am a die-hard fan of our sports teams and you’ll always catch me sporting some Illini gear. I-L-L!

What are your primary research interests?

I am most passionate about research at the animal-human interface. I would love to work with bats and non-human primates to study zoonotic diseases.

How have you been navigating the work (& learn) from home experience during the COVID-19 outbreak?

I try to go outside at least twice a day and (safely) spend time with new friends. I take a lot of breaks throughout my day to get up from my work computer which has helped me immensely.

Are there any exciting projects that you are currently working on that you’d like to share with us?

I’m very excited to be completing my APE with the Outbreak Response Team with Dr. Jodie Guest and fellow first-years! I’ll also be working with the Malaria Branch of the CDC and I am really looking forward to it.

What is your favorite part about earning your MPH at Emory?

I feel like I have been able to find strong mentors and role models through my REAL position with the CDC thanks to Emory. But, most importantly, the friends I’ve made here are my favorite part because they are so ambitious and kind.

What advice do you have for people who may be interested in getting their MPH?

Email professors at schools you would be interested in going to and ask them to put you in touch with current MPH students. That’s what I did and it ultimately led me to Emory because students were honest about the program and faculty.

When applying, what were you looking for in a public health school, and what factors drove you towards Rollins?

I was chasing after mentors and meaningful relationships in the field and with friends. After emailing professors across Rollins, many got back to me in the span of 3 days and I knew this is where I wanted to go.

What books are you currently reading, or what podcasts are you currently listening to?

I’m working my way through the Lord of the Rings trilogy right now since it’s been a long time since I’ve read them. I have really dove into The Office Ladies podcast and Radio Rental which I would highly recommend. My favorite epi-related book is Spillover by David Quammen if you’re into infectious diseases-buckle up.

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?

1. I love bats and primates, I spent 45 minutes at the gorilla exhibit at the Atlanta Zoo.
2. I am always chasing a beach trying to find time to snorkel and swim.
3. Once the new normal sets in, you’ll find me out salsa dancing with my friends every weekend!

Thanks to Veronika for taking the time to talk to us! Stay tuned to the next edition of the Confounder for another #WeAreEmoryEpi spotlight on the new EPI communications team for 2021-22!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Ashna Jagtiani

Ashna is a first-year EPI student interested in chronic disease epidemiology. In this week’s #WeAreEmoryEPI student spotlight, we got to know more about her, her ongoing projects, why she chose Rollins, and more!

Tell us a little bit about your academic history/where you went to school.

I went to medical school in Mumbai, India, and graduated from there in 2019.

What are your primary research interests?

My primary research interests are in chronic diseases particularly cardiovascular disease prevention.

How have you been navigating the work (& learn) from home experience during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Being in a new country and almost completely in a virtual format for classes and work has been slightly challenging. However, the Emory community including professors, advisors, classmates, and friends has made it a smooth sailing experience for me. I also enjoy going out for walks (love the Atlanta weather) and practising yoga, which are my stress busters.

Are there any exciting projects that you are currently working on that you’d like to share with us?

I am working on the MINDS study – Mindfulness intervention to improve sleep and reduce diabetes risk among a diverse sample in Atlanta. For my APE, I will be working during the summer on a project to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) for hypertension and diabetes screening and referral using integrated health information technology in India.

What is your favorite part about earning your MPH at Emory?

My favourite part about Emory is the community. I am a DEI advisor in the Rollins International Student Association and love discussing and implementing ideas related to promoting Community and Belonging at Rollins. I hope more international students like me choose to study at Emory.

What advice do you have for people who may be interested in getting their MPH?

My advice would be to reach out to professors and current students pursuing their MPH degrees. Everyone is very approachable and helpful and would love to assist you in the best way possible.

When applying, what were you looking for in a public health school, and what factors drove you towards Rollins?

I was looking for a school with a 2 year MPH program since it would give me enough time to digest new concepts and also the time to build a network. Rollins stood out to me not only because of its high ranking but also the positive feedback I received from multiple Alumni and students that I connected with during my application period.

What books are you currently reading, or what podcasts are you currently listening to?

I recently started listening to the famous Shiny Epi People podcast by Lisa Bodnar.

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?

1. I am Indian but I was born and brought up in Nigeria which is still home to my parents
2. I was a national level swimmer back in the day
3. My biggest fear is “rats” or even a single rat

Thanks so much to Ashna for taking the time to introduce herself! To connect, you can find her @AshnaJagtiani on both Twitter and Instagram. Stay tuned to The Confounder next week for another #WeAreEmoryEPI student feature!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Maddy Lewis

Maddy is a second-year MPH student interested in infectious disease epi and is involved in research with Emory’s vaccine clinic. In our conversation, she shared some nuggets of advice for younger public health students and told us about her popular TikTok page!

Tell us a little bit about your academic history/where you went to school.

I studied biology as an undergraduate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

What are your primary research interests?

I am primarily interested in infectious disease epidemiology.

Are there any exciting projects that you are currently working on that you’d like to share with us?

I got connected to a new research project at Emory’s vaccine clinic studying the effects of the vaccine reactions which occur in the 15 or 30-minute monitoring period after patients receive their vaccines. Although this study is still in the early stages, I have already gained amazing experience in helping design, implement, and manage a research project from the very beginning.

What is your favorite part about earning your MPH at Emory?

My favorite part of Emory has been the professional experiences I was able to gain as a graduate student. Emory has so many connections within public health.

What advice do you have for 1st year MPH Students?

The best advice I can give is to try to build up a professional network authentically. Instead of forming connections for the sake of networking, build relationships naturally with others through volunteering, shared interests, or work. Because I was able to do this, my network is able to speak to my abilities and talents much better, which helped me find a full-time job before graduation.

As first-year students start to look for their APE positions, do you have any tips for finding a practicum?

A lot of Rollins students go in thinking they want to do research. Don’t be afraid to try out applied epidemiology at somewhere like Georgia Department of Public Health!

When applying, what were you looking for in a public health school, and what factors drove you towards Rollins?

I knew that if I went to Rollins, I would have access to the most opportunities and people in public health. Atlanta really is the world’s public health capital.

How have you been navigating the work (& learn) from home experience during the COVID-19 outbreak?

At first, I hated working from home. After about 3 months, I adjusted and realized I never wanted to go back into office full-time. As long as you are able to know when to stop working, work from home works really well for so many people.

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?

I have 18k followers on my TikTok (@maddy.epidemiology) where I discuss public health, epidemiology, race, and other topics. Other fun facts are that I am allergic to cats and am looking for a roommate in August.

Thanks to Maddy for chatting with us this week! If you want to follow her, head to her TikTok page for great public health content!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Emily Drzymalla

Emily is a second-year EPI student also pursuing a certificate in Genetic & Molecular Epidemiology, which ties into her thesis project. We chatted about her thesis, working (and learning) from home, and she shared some fun facts!

Tell us a little bit about your academic history/where you went to school.

I went to Texas A&M University for my undergraduate studies and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Genetics. I am currently a second-year MPH student for Epidemiology at Rollins and am also in the Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Certificate.

What are your primary research interests?

My primary research interest is in genetic epidemiology and epigenetics.

Are there any exciting projects that you are currently working on that you’d like to share with us?

One project I’m working on is for my thesis project. It involves looking to see if there is an association between prenatal maternal depression and changes in the DNA methylation in the cord blood for the infant.

What is your favorite part about earning your MPH at Emory?

My favorite part about earning my MPH at Emory is the people I’ve gotten to meet and the relationships I’ve gotten to form.

What advice do you have for 1st year MPH Students?

Don’t be afraid to try new things. You may end up liking a class or topic more than you thought you would.

As first-year students start to look for their APE positions, do you have any tips for finding a practicum?

Networking can help you to find an APE position. You can talk to professors or guest speakers who share your interests after class. If they do not have a position open, they may know someone else who does.

When applying, what were you looking for in a public health school, and what factors drove you towards Rollins?

Honestly, the fact that Rollins was ranked fifth at the time and is also next to the CDC were major factors.

Do you have any other tips for prospective public health students?

Find what interests you. There are a lot of different facets of epidemiology and some you may not have any interest in. Also, try to acquire a broad skill set. If you have time, take classes that can teach you skills you may not be directly in your specific interest. These skills may come in handy later on.

How have you been navigating the work (& learn) from home experience during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Honestly, it has been difficult. Time management and discipline are important parts for navigating the work and learn from home experience.

What books are you currently reading, or what podcasts are you currently listening to?

I am currently reading The Brothers Karamazov. I haven’t finished it yet but so far it’s one of my favorite books.

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?

1. I want to have a green thumb but I don’t.
2. I have a feisty cat named Pebbles.
3. I’ve seen three sharks unintentionally.

Thanks again to Emily for her time! We will be back with another #WeAreEmoryEPI spotlight next week!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Sean Huang

Sean is a second-year student interested in researching infectious diseases and vaccines. We talked to him more about his current projects, what he loves about Rollins, and why he chose to come to Emory!

Tell us a little bit about your academic history/where you went to school.

I graduated from the University of Austin with a Microbiology degree.

What are your primary research interests?

My primary research interest is Infectious Disease, I am especially intrigued by antimicrobial resistance and how we might be able to utilize vaccination as a prevention method.

Are there any exciting projects that you are currently working on that you’d like to share with us?

I am currently working on a project called SHEP (SARS-Cov-2 in Hemo-dialysis Patients) where we are measuring the prevalence and incidence of COVID-19 in dialysis centers around Atlanta, we are also investigating possible influencing factors that may contribute to COVID-19 positivity. It’s exciting because I get to play around with the data and improve on the skills of data management, data analysis, and data visualization.

What is your favorite part about earning your MPH at Emory?

My favorite part has got to be meeting and making new friends who are also passionate about similar things.

What advice do you have for 1st year MPH Students?

Don’t get too bogged down with the coursework, there are other things that are also important such as taking a walk, chatting with people, and just taking care of yourself.

As first-year students start to look for their APE positions, do you have any tips for finding a practicum?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors/possible networking opportunities, most people are nice about it. They usually don’t have a reason to be mean to you.

When applying, what were you looking for in a public health school, and what factors drove you towards Rollins?

Rollins was appealing as a public health school because of its reputation and rank as it is the top five MPH program in the nation. But also, its proximity and connection to CDC played a crucial role in my decision as well.

Do you have any other tips for prospective public health students?

Be bold, be who you are, know what inspires you, but also be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.

How have you been navigating the work (& learn) from home experience during the COVID-19 outbreak?

It’s been a slow process, but you have to accept the fact that it won’t be as productive working/learning from home. You just have to maximize the efficiency however you can.

What books are you currently reading, or what podcasts are you currently listening to?

A podcast I have been listening to is She Tells True Crimes, it’s a great podcast that tells stories of mysteries and crimes around the world.

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?

(1) Laughing is my default reaction, I have gotten into some awkward situations for laughing at inappropriate times.

(2) I love hiking! Especially those with a lake or a waterfall at the end of the trail

(3) I am acrophobic, which might be ironic considering my love for hiking.

Thanks to Sean for chatting with us! Check back with the Confounder next week for another student spotlight.

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Madison Cahill

Madison is a second-year Master’s student interested in emergency preparedness and working on a project studying how the pandemic has affected the mental health of essential workers. We chatted with her about what let her to picking Rollins, her favorite parts of her time at Emory, and some advice for younger students!

Tell us a little bit about your academic history/where you went to school.

I got my undergraduate degree in molecular genetics at The Ohio State University

What are your primary research interests?

My initial research interest when I came to Rollins was infectious diseases, but I have grown very interested in emergency preparedness. I am particularly interested in where infectious disease and emergency preparedness overlap.

Are there any exciting projects that you are currently working on that you’d like to share with us?

In my REAL position with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, we are doing a second round of a Stress Assessment Survey that looks at how the pandemic has affected the mental health of workers in the agriculture, food, healthcare, hospitality, and education industries. I feel fortunate to be apart of this multi-agency collaboration that will hopefully shine a light on the importance of mental health and provide people with mental health resources.

What is your favorite part about earning your MPH at Emory?

My favorite part has been the people I have met while I was at Emory, because they have opened me up to new concepts and ways of thinking. This diversity of thought that can be found at Emory is deeply enriching.

What advice do you have for 1st year MPH Students?

Do not get bogged down in schoolwork. While schoolwork is important, your learning experiences outside the classroom are just as important to your educational experience and it is always important to take a break for your mental health.

As first-year students start to look for their APE positions, do you have any tips for finding a practicum?

Take advantage of the career fairs and Handshake. I would also encourage students to look at less traditional places (such as departments of agriculture or food safety positions) because while these positions are not strictly public health, they are involved in many public health aspects.

When applying, what were you looking for in a public health school, and what factors drove you towards Rollins?

I was encouraged to go to Emory because of a friend of a family member who said she went to Emory for her public health degree. While that encouraged me to look at Rollins the subject matter of classes offered and the professors of Rollins are what sealed the deal for me.

Do you have any other tips for prospective public health students?

Be honest and be yourself. If you do this, your talent and your desire to make a difference through public health should shine through.

How have you been navigating the work (& learn) from home experience during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Navigating work and school during a pandemic has been challenging, but I found that creating a checklist has made it easier to navigate both. I also make sure to take time to have social interactions (though phone calls and video chats) so that I can feel connected and keep myself grounded during the pandemic.

Do you have any book, podcast, or TV show recommendations?

I am currently watching Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and it is an amazing show that I highly recommend. I love that Marvel is taking time to develop complex themes and character arcs with characters that were not heavily utilized in the movies.

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?

One summer, I went on a night dive in Bon Aire and nothing is darker than being 30 ft underwater at night.

At Ohio State, I was apart of the archery club and took part in several archery competitions.

I took a minor in theatre when I was in undergrad, mostly because I thought the acting classes were a fun break between my heavy science classes.

Thanks again to Madison for taking some time to introduce herself! We’ll be back next week with another student feature next week.