#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Izzy Kates

Izzy Kates is a second-year student in the Global Epidemiology program interested in infectious disease epidemiology. This week we caught up with him to learn more about his background, how he’s spent time during the pandemic, and more!

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

I majored in Behavioral and Community Health at University of Maryland, College Park, and minored in International Development and Conflict Management.

What are your primary research interests?

I am interested in infectious disease epidemiology, One Health, and immuno-epidemiology.

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

It’s been difficult, not going to lie. But it helps to have my dog and a constant supply of chocolate!

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

I work with a team out of UC-Berkeley screening pre-prints related to COVID-19 for rapid review by subject matter and methodological experts. It’s been a great way to learn about new research and get involved! 

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

Definitely my favorite part of earning my MPH at Emory is the student community, which is so strong and supportive.

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

My first piece of advice is to make relationships with faculty. Email them and ask about their projects.

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

I’m currently reading 1491 by Charles Mann, which is all about the Americas before Columbus. I’m also reading Truman Capote’s true-crime classic In Cold Blood. My favorite podcasts right now are all sports-related, but I also love epi podcasts, like Casual Inference and Free Associations!

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

1. I was highly allergic to milk until I was ~20, so the first bite of pizza I had was in my 20s

2. I grew up Orthodox Jewish (no phones on Saturdays!)

3. My father started a new career in his 60s and now teaches English to high school and college students in Ukraine.

Thanks to Izzy for taking the time to share about himself! We’ll be back next week with another #WeAreEmoryEpi Spotlight.

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Lauren Chase

Lauren Chase is a second-year Epi MPH student interested in public health preparedness. She has been directly involved in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic by contact tracing for the Georgia Department of Public Health!

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

I graduated in 2019 with my B.S. in Public and Community Health from Ithaca College.

What are your primary research interests?

I am primarily interested in emergency preparedness and disaster response.

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

I have definitely made sure to give myself free time and time away from my computer throughout the day whether I am taking a walk or getting a snack. I think going for walks and getting out of my apartment is great way for me to reset and spend time outside.

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

I am currently a contract tracer and case investigator for the Georgia Department of Public Health and I am a research assistant at the Birth Defects Branch of the CDC. Both are amazing opportunities that I have learned so much from.

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

My favorite part of getting my MPH here is the connections that Emory has and the quality of the professors. It is amazing to get taught by experts in their fields who have real-life experiences that they share with us.

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

My advice for first year students is to remember grad school is hard and doing it in a pandemic is harder. Don’t underestimate yourself. You got this!

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

I am currently reading “Where the Crawdad Sings” by Delia Owens but I just finished the book “Tear Me Apart” by J.T. Ellison and thought it was great.

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

1. Halloween is my favorite holiday. I have decorated my whole apartment and am very excited to show off my Halloween costume this year (even if just virtually).

2. One quarantine skill that I have mastered is finding discounts to Hello Fresh.

3. A few months ago I spontaneously bought an Xbox and I have no regrets.

Thanks to Lauren for catching up with us and stay tuned for more #WeAreEmoryEPI next week!

#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet Alexander Webber

Alexander Webber is a second-year MPH student in Epidemiology who researches planning and response to parasitic diseases. We got a chance to ask him more about his academic and personal interests!

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

What are your primary research interests?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks to Alex for taking the time to introduce himself to us. We’ll be back with another #WeAreEmoryEpi feature next week!

#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet Megan Mileusnic

Megan Mileusnic is a first-year Global Epidemiology MPH student and was kind enough to talk to us about her research interests, experiences at Emory, and hobbies!

Tell us a little bit about your academic history

I graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. in 2017, where I studied Communication, Spanish, and International Business

What are your primary research interests?

I’m interested in the social determinants of health, reproductive health, and environmental health.

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

Establishing boundaries in regards to my work/study/relax time has helped me start grad school in a healthy way. Capitalizing on time when I feel productive to get things done – and letting myself relax when I feel like I’m at my limit – helps me stay positive and on track.

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

I’m so excited to join the hands-on AISH hotspotting program, which connects students with interdisciplinary teams at Grady Memorial Hospital to identify high healthcare utilizers and work with patients to address factors contributing to their frequent hospitalization.

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

I love being surrounded by peers and experts who are passionate about public health and have their own unique interests and focus areas.

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

Just go for it, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!

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

I just started “Women Don’t Owe You Pretty” by Florence Given, and I recently finished “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande – highly recommend!!

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

1. I used to work in human rights and sustainability consulting for leading consumer brands (and could talk about this forever)

2. I studied abroad in Madrid for a year during undergrad and am looking forward to living abroad again someday

3. I love gardening, hiking, and doing almost anything in nature

Thanks to Megan for her time and thanks for reading this week’s #WeAreEmoryEpi spotlight!

#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet Daniel Milan

Daniel Milan is a second-year MPH candidate in Epidemiology with research focused on outbreak response and Latinx populations. He was kind enough to talk with us more about his academic and personal interests!

Tell us a little bit about your academic history.

I graduated with a B.S. in Public Health in 2019 from Georgia State University. There, my academic career in public health began with research in tobacco cessation.

What are your primary research interests? 

My primary research interests are now in Outbreak Response and Latinx Populations.

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

Continuously connecting with my friends and organizations I am involved with via Zoom has kept me motivated during this online semester. Additionally, when I struggle to focus at my desk, I will take my laptop and go outside to work.

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

Though I just began, I have started working on thesis related work. I am utilizing COVID-19 data obtained through my APE with Emory’s Outbreak Response Team.

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

My favorite part about earning my MPH at Emory is meeting other students who come from different academic backgrounds and are in different parts of their careers that have provided valuable perspective into classroom learning.

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

My advice for 1st year MPH Students would be to create a study group, friend group, or meet anyone with similar interests as you. Make connections. They will help you succeed in and outside of the classroom.

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

I am currently reading Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendal. Though I have not finished, I highly recommend based on what I have read so far.

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

I love baseball, fishing, and eating Korean BBQ!

Thanks to Dan for taking the time to chat with us! Check back with the Confounder next week for another student spotlight!

InsideAPE: Laken Smothers and Contact Tracing for Georgia DPH

Laken Smothers is a rising second-year Epidemiology MPH candidate who spent her summer as a COVID-19 contact tracer for the Georgia Department of Public Health. Her academic interests lie in clinical epidemiology, racial/ethnic disparities in healthcare, and infectious diseases. We asked her a few questions about her summer project and her overall experience at the GDPH. 

1. Tell us about your project

This summer I worked remotely as a COVID-19 contact tracer with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) for one of my APEs. I served within the Rome district which covers several counties in Northwest Georgia. As a contact tracer I interviewed known contacts about their symptoms and tried to enroll them in DPH’s symptom monitoring program, which allowed the public health department to find out if any contacts had a change in their symptom status during the 14-day monitoring period.

2. How did you find your APE?

I found this APE through Rollins and Handshake. This opportunity was presented to us because many students found it difficult to find APEs after the pandemic began.

3. How was the experience? What were some of your highlights and some of the challenges you faced?

In our classes, we often talk about how to communicate our findings to our peers and colleagues within the public health field. We haven’t really covered how to communicate public health information to the general public. This job allowed me to utilize these skills and try to present rather complicated information in a way that most people can understand without a degree in epidemiology. I also learned how to be adaptable while working in an environment in which the fluidity of the pandemic caused me to have to absorb new recommendations or guidelines weekly.

The highlight of this job for me was being able to help out with the COVID response in a tangible way. At the beginning of the pandemic, I felt a strong urge to find ways to get involved despite the fact that I am a student and only recently entered the public health field. For every challenging call where someone hung up on me or spouted conspiracy theories, there were 20 calls in which people were grateful that we were reaching out, providing resources, and answering their questions. This job also motivated me to revive my Spanish language skills from high school. I covered counties with large Spanish-speaking populations and needed to know more than “Hola” in order to do the job well. I am grateful to be able to say that I have had the opportunity to view public health from the perspective of the local health department and the CDC in my public health career so far.

4. How did you survive lockdown this summer?

I have been surviving this lockdown by running and walking outside. Before the pandemic, I would always say that I hate running but now it helps me stay fit and motivated throughout the day. My other secret to surviving this summer has been cooking even though grocery shopping is its own challenge these days. Meal prepping good meals over the weekend is what keeps me going through the week.

Thanks again to Laken for taking the time to share with us! Stay tuned to The Confounder for more student spotlights.

InsideAPE: Simone Wien & Gentrification’s Impact on Nutrition in New York City

Simone Wien is a rising second-year Epidemiology MPH candidate who is spending her summer studying how gentrification in New York City has impacted children’s nutrition. She found her project through the city’s Department of Mental Health and Hygiene’s Epidemiology Scholar program. Read on to learn more!

Tell us about your APE project

I’m currently working on a data analysis project as an Epi Scholar with the New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) in the Division of Epidemiology, Bureau of Epidemiology Services. The goal of the analysis is to assess the relationship between gentrification in New York City and malnutrition in children under 5 years of age.

How did you find your APE?

A friend had participated in another NYC DOHMH program (HRTP) and loved it, and both programs were easily found on Handshake and The Confounder. I decided to apply to the Epi Scholars program because of its data analysis and methods focus. Both programs are offered every year!

How has your experience been so far? Has it been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and if so, how are you adapting to those changes?

I’m currently in the third week of the program, and it has been phenomenal. My goal was to hone methods that we learned this past year, and that I get to learn from staff at NYC DOHMH has been a dream, even remotely. The program is typically in New York, so program staff and mentors communicate openly to facilitate as much online face-to-face time and training as possible, even as many of them are deployed for COVID-19 related duties. As participants, we keep in touch with each other via GroupMe and Zoom hangouts.

How did you survive lockdown and what’s the first thing you can’t wait to do once it’s safe again?       

Emotionally, making the shift from anticipating an “end” date to focusing on what I need to do now to ensure the well-being of myself and those around me keeps me grounded in the present. Once it’s safe to do, I would love to cook for friends and see my family.

Thanks to Simone for taking the time to talk to us, and check back for more about our students’ APE experiences!

InsideAPE: Ajilé Owens and Sanitation Behavior in India

For this week’s #InsideAPE feature, we are talking to Ajilé Owens about her project this summer!

Tell us about your APE project

I am currently working with Dr. Clasen’s research group on their child feces management (CFM) study in Odisha, India. The overall goal of the project is to design and implement a behavior change randomized controlled trial to encourage safe CFM. My role on the project is primarily data analysis.

How did you find your APE?

One afternoon, I sat and made a list of all the professors that I might be interested in working with. I reached out to all of them, met with most of them, and decided to follow up with Dr. Clasen. He was super helpful in pointing me in the direction of the different project leads who then gave me so much information about the team’s available projects!

How has the pandemic changed the scope of your project?

The pandemic has completely shifted the focus of the project but in the best way! I was originally planning to travel to India to conduct a process evaluation. While I’m sad I didn’t get to go to India, I now get to work on a COVID-19 sub-study, researching how a pandemic might impact sanitation behaviors. This work is so important right now and my team is so supportive and collaborative that I could not be happier.

How did you survive lockdown and what’s the first thing you can’t wait to do once it’s safe again?

During this lockdown, I’ve really prioritized taking care of myself, unlike during this semester. I started taking running more seriously and I now spend more time focusing on my health and nutrition. I also get so much more sleep! But, once it’s safe again, I would seriously love to make a whole evening of going to the movies. My living room is pretty much a dine-in theater, but it’s definitely not the same!

Thanks to Ajilé for her time, and stay tuned to next week’s Confounder for our next #InsideAPE feature!

InsideAPE: Teresa Smith and COVID-19 in Georgia Jails

Today I caught up with Epi Master’s student Teresa Smith regarding her APE project this summer!

Tell us about your APE project

I am working with Dr. Spaulding and the Center for Health of Incarcerated Persons to surveil the status of COVID-19 in jails across the state of Georgia. We are working with stakeholders at the jails and the Department of Health to ensure that cases are getting properly reported. We are also providing support to jails on best practices for infection control. Incarcerated people make up a vulnerable population in this epidemic both because they are more likely to have co-morbidities that could lead to more severe manifestations of COVID-19 and because it is difficult to practice effective social distancing measures while living in the jails.

How did you find your APE?

I initially signed up to be a volunteer caller for the project but when I found out there may be APE opportunities I reached out to Dr. Spaulding and she took me on!

How has your experience been so far?

It has been great! Most of what I do is coordinate the volunteer caller efforts to the jails. It has been incredible to see the passion that all of the Rollins students as well as nursing and medical students that care deeply about the cause and volunteer an hour or two every week to help us collect good data. One of the many reasons to love the Emory community!

How did you survive lockdown and what’s the first thing you can’t wait to do once it’s safe again?

Thus far, my roommate and I keep our sanity with daily neighborhood walks, weekly banana bread baking, and lots of zoom calls/happy hours with friends! We also bought some porch furniture which was a game-changer. The first thing I’ll do once it’s safe again is probably have a reunion with my undergraduate friends (we had one scheduled in early April).

If you would like to become a volunteer caller on the project, please contact Teresa at teresa [dot] carolina [dot] smith [at] emory [dot] edu!

Stay tuned for the next week’s edition of the Confounder for another #InsideAPE feature!

Manasvi Sundar and Allie Tuttle: Winners of the COVID19 Hackathon

Today we’re talking to Manasvi Sundar and Allie Tuttle, rising-second year EPI MPH students who won the COVID19 Hackathon!

What were you doing before attending Rollins?

Manasvi:  ​I completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering in India before joining Rollins.

Allie: I was working as a data analyst at a biotech startup called Tempus before coming to Rollins.

Can you tell us more about your past and current research and academic interests?

M: My research interest involves improving diagnostic and testing practices, and their availability for infectious and non-communicable diseases. 

A: I’m interested in genetic and molecular epidemiology, specifically in the context of cancer and other chronic diseases. I’m also interested in issues surrounding vaccine hesitancy, and am especially intrigued about how vaccine uptake will be affected by this pandemic. On a broader scale, I’m interested in leveraging big data to inform treatment decisions and guidelines across multiple diseases.

For those who missed it, can you explain the details of the hackathon and what your project entailed?

M + A: The hackathon provided an opportunity to come up with any solution that will prove to be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our project idea was a method for businesses to track their building occupancy and communicate it along with wait-time (if applicable) real-time with their customers via an app. This will help customers make informed and health conscious decisions and promote social distancing in public places. 

When did you hear of the hackathon and how long were you working on CAPACIT leading up to the competition?

M: I heard of the hackathon through the email from EGHI (Emory Global Health Institute) and found my team through Allie. We had a week to work on the project idea for round 1 and another week to fine-tune our pitch for the finals.

A: I first heard about the hackathon in an email from the Emory Global Health Institute (EGHI) and happened to be sitting with my sister, who’s an undergrad at Georgia Tech, when I read it. She had a team from GT that was interested in participating and they needed team members from Emory. Manasvi and I had just worked together on our final project for Epi 535, so I was thrilled when she joined the team. We had a week to come up with the initial problem solution, and once we were chosen as finalists we spent another week fine-tuning our idea and pitch.

What is the plan for the app’s development moving forward, and what is your vision for its implementation?

M: ​We are now a part of the CreateX start up launch program and we hope to tackle the technological hurdles and come up with a business plan during this summer so that we can launch the app as soon as possible. 

A: We hope to make CAPACIT available sooner rather than later as parts of the country begin to reopen. We believe people want to be socially responsible in the midst of this pandemic, but may not always have the means to do so. Our vision for CAPACIT is as a tool that can be used by both businesses and consumers to make informed decisions that protect the public health.

How did your experiences during your first year at Rollins help you with the CAPACIT project?

M: My experience at Rollins and participating in the case competition organized by EGHI helped me in shaping the idea and thinking critically to identify weak points in our proposal. 

A: My experiences at Rollins have taught me how to examine an issue through multiple lenses and to be aware of perspectives that are missing in a working group. This was helpful in developing our project idea as it allowed us to identify areas we didn’t understand fully and needed to seek out additional information for.

How are you passing spare time while social distancing this summer? Are there any tips you can share?

M: ​I have 2 jobs during this summer and I’m also actively working to implement the CAPACIT app – so my time is pretty much divided among these. Other than that, I sing, read, cook and  workout. These activities have been great stress busters! My tip is to attempt to mimic the structure someone else might have. Find out what works for you! And also, don’t succumb to the pressure to “be productive during the lockdown.”

A: For better or worse, I actually haven’t had much spare time this summer- in addition to the work we’ll continue doing on CAPACIT, I’m finishing up one of my APE deliverables, just started working part-time as a contact tracer, and will be starting another job soon. Keeping busy has been really helpful for me mentally during this lockdown, but I’d echo Manasvi’s sentiments that you shouldn’t feel pressured to be productive 24/7. Working from home can be difficult because it feels like there’s always more to be done, so I’ve found that setting an end time for your work each day is extremely beneficial to maintaining a semblance of work/life balance.