Author Archives: Nancy Nguyen

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Nita Madhav

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI Alumni

This week on #WeAreEmoryEPI, we are featuring Nita Madhav! Nita Madhav is the Chief Executive Officer at Metabiota, a company that specializes in measuring, mitigating, and managing epidemic risk. Nita is also an alum of Rollins and graduated in 2005 from the MSPH EPI program. To learn more about Nita and how Rollins has impacted her path to this role, keep reading. 

 


 
What year did you graduate from Rollins, what was your program, and what was the focus of your research/coursework during the program?

I graduated in 2005 from the MSPH EPI program, and my coursework focused on quantitative methods and infectious disease epidemiology. My master’s thesis was focused on hantavirus dynamics in rodent populations and implications for human disease risk.

 

Tell us about your current role and how your experience at Rollins impacted your path to this role and/or how it impacts your current work.

I am currently the CEO of Metabiota, a company that aims to improve the world’s resilience to epidemics by providing data, analytic tools, and expertise to companies and governments. Prior to this, I was the VP of Data Science at Metabiota, and I have spent many years working on risk modeling techniques for epidemics and pandemics. My time at Rollins was instrumental in giving me a strong quantitative foundation on which to base my work in computational epidemiology and disease analytics. It also instilled in me the importance of collaborative, whole-systems solutions to addressing global health challenges.

 

What advice do you have for Rollins students who want to pursue leadership roles in EPI or EPI-adjacent fields?

I would recommend for EPI students interested in a leadership role to break out of any silos and reach across disciplines. For example, my role today involves a lot of overlap with health policy, global health, economics, and social science, and everyone needs to speak a common language to have an effective dialogue. Being an effective leader requires not just a strong grasp of the technical aspects of the field, but also a strong background in “soft skills” such as team-building, collaboration, and earning trust. 

 

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?
  1. A few of my previous jobs included field studies of rodent disease ecology. For one particularly interesting project, we would trap field mice, tag them with fluorescent powder, and then release them. We would then return at night with a blacklight and track their footprints. It was amazing to see how far they roamed.
  2. People are often surprised to learn that my favorite type of music is metal. In my younger days, I frequently attended concerts, including some great ones at The Masquerade in Atlanta while I was a Rollins student.
  3. When I was an undergrad, I was a writer and editor for the Yale Scientific Magazine, and I found a passion for translating scientific and technical information for general audiences. I still use the skills I learned through that experience in my daily work.

 


 

Nita Madhav is the Chief Executive Officer at Metabiota, a company that specializes in measuring, mitigating, and managing epidemic risk. Nita has over 15 years of experience in probabilistic modeling and risk assessment, with a focus on monitoring and modeling infectious disease spread and economic impacts. Before becoming CEO of Metabiota, Nita was the Vice President of Data Science at Metabiota, where she established and led the data science and modeling group and spearheaded the team’s efforts to create a comprehensive library of modeled pathogens. Nita lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 


 

Thanks for chatting with us, Nita! You can find Nita on her LinkedIn or Twitter

 

Congratulations to our students for finishing off the Spring semester and to the Class of 2022! Our Confounder team hopes you all have a great summer. 


#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet the 2021-2022 Communications Team

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

This week on #WeAreEmoryEPI, as the Communications Team gets ready to pass the torch to a new group of epi students we want to once again highlight the Department of Epidemiology’s current team! Alex Whicker is tasked with The Confounder, Krysta Medearis runs @rollinsepilife on Instagram, and I, Nancy Nguyen, manage @EmoryEpi on Twitter. We responded to a few questions about ourselves, our roles on the team, and what we are looking forward to this coming fall!

 

 


 

Left to right: Alex Whicker – Communications Associate, Krysta Medearis – Social Media Associate (Instagram), Nancy Nguyen – Social Media Associate (Twitter)

 
What is your role on the communications team and what does a typical work week look like for you?

Alex: I run The Confounder blog and weekly newsletter. My typical work week involves checking and responding to emails regularly, posting news, events and student opportunities to the blog, and updating the weekly newsletter. I also communicate with other people on the communications team and Epi department as needed to share updates with students.

Krysta: My primary role on the communications team will be running the Instagram page. My typical work week consists of staying up to date on current and relevant events that may be beneficial to students. I spend a lot of time in Canva creating content and on the Instagram page staying up to date on other things happening at Emory. 

Nancy: I mainly handle the @EmoryEpi Twitter account! In a typical week, I tweet about events at Rollins and the exciting work that the Epidemiology faculty and students are doing! I also am in charge of writing posts for our #WeAreEmoryEPI series on The Confounder, where I contact a featured student or alumnus and put together the interview piece. 

 

 

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

Alex: I studied Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Krysta: I attended undergrad at Alabama State University where I received my B.S. in Biology. 

Nancy: I got my B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

 

 

What are your primary research interests?

Alex: My primary research interests are in maternal and child health and LGBTQ health. 

Krysta: My primary research interests include social determinants of health and infectious diseases.

Nancy: My primary research interests include health literacy among immigrant communities, social determinants of health, and cancer epidemiology.

 

 

How do you balance your work for the communications team with your other work and academic responsibilities?

Alex: I balance this job with my other responsibilities by doing a little bit of work each day, keeping track of due dates, and lots of multitasking! Scheduling time for me to complete different activities or even take breaks is also helpful.

Krysta: I usually set aside time during the afternoon or evenings to create content to post and stay up to date on important information that should be shared with the department.

Nancy: I try to plan out my days and have designated times when I check the Twitter feed. I also try to have certain tweets written and ready to be tweeted the day before, or plan out what topics I want to talk about for which days. 

 

 

What is something you are looking forward to in regards to your new communications position?

Alex: I’m excited to learn more about the different opportunities within the Epi department and build better relationships with faculty and students!

Krysta: I’m definitely looking forward to meeting new people! I think the position will give me a chance to connect with more faculty and peers.

Nancy: I am looking forward to connecting with the Rollins community and showcasing the exciting work that our faculty and students do! 

 

 

What are you most excited about for this coming fall semester?

Alex: I’m most excited about going to in-person events and classes!

Krysta: I’m excited to be able to take in-person classes and meet more of my peers across all cohorts. 

Nancy: I am excited to be in person and finally meet my Epi cohort!

 

 

Is there any advice you would like to give to our incoming first-years?

Alex: Reach out to any professors you think are interesting, even if it’s just to chat! Most are more than happy to. Also, give yourself time to rest and do fun things. Don’t compare how much you study, how many jobs or extracurriculars you have, or how quickly you find opportunities to other people.

Krysta: I would tell incoming first-years to take advantage of every opportunity they are given and reach out to professors and peers who have the same interests in you.

Nancy: I would say to attend any student events if you have the time. They are great places to connect with the Rollins community.

 

 


 

 

Thank you for checking out this week’s #WeAreEmoryEPI, we were so excited to share our experiences! Make sure to keep an eye out to see who we speak to next on #WeAreEmoryEPI.


#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Mike Mortillo

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Meet Mike Mortillo! Mike is an alum of the Department of Epidemiology and graduated from Rollins School of Public Health in 2019. He is currently a third-year doctoral student in Emory’s Genetics and Molecular Biology program. In this feature, we’ll learn more about Mike, what he has gained from RSPH, and his advice for current master’s students. Read more below! 

 


 
What year did you graduate from Rollins School of Public Health?

I graduated from RSPH in 2019 with a degree in Epidemiology and a certificate in Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology.

 

Where do you currently work and what is your role?

I am currently a 3rd year Ph.D. student in Emory’s Genetics and Molecular Biology program. I am in Dr. Carmen Marsit‘s lab, where I study placental epigenetics.

 

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

I am currently doing a study that looks at how a DNA modification called 5-hydroxymethylcytosine affects gene expression in the placenta. I am also doing a study looking at behavioral deficits in children and young adults who are afflicted with a rare chromosomal deletion called 3q29 deletion.

 

What advice do you have for current epidemiology students? 

My advice for current epidemiology students is don’t be afraid to reach out to professors (even ones you have never met) for advice. Some of the best guidance I got at Rollins was from professors I didn’t know all that well, but whose research interests aligned with mine. I would simply email them asking to meet to talk about their research, and it proved very beneficial. Don’t be afraid to take those chances to develop networking opportunities!

 

What is your favorite part about earning your degree at Rollins?

My favorite part about earning my degree at Rollins was all the lasting relationships I developed. I never once felt like another face in the crowd, and I still keep in touch with many faculty members who I know will be more than happy to help me at a moment’s notice. They want to see you succeed as a public health or health science professional, so I encourage you to keep in touch with many of them going forward.

 

What from the EPI program helps you in your current position?

A lot of the data analysis techniques that I learned in the EPI program have been super helpful in my current position in the lab. Being a fully computational scientist, I am constantly analyzing large datasets and performing genome-wide association studies as well as regression analyses, which are valuable skills I picked up as an EPI student.

 

If you currently live in Atlanta, what is one place that you would recommend people to visit?

I would highly recommend the Atlanta History Center. The graduate programs had a gala there in the pre-COVID times and it was so cool! There are so many amazing artifacts and exhibits, I honestly spent more time going through all of them than I did actually attending the party!

 

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?
  1. I love baseball! I grew up in New Jersey, so I’m a huge Yankees fan.
  2. Aside from my research, I actually really enjoy teaching as well. I have been a TA for two classes in the graduate program, and recently won a teaching award!
  3. My dad’s side of the family has relatives in Sicily, Italy, and we have visited them before. It’s always funny to interact because we don’t speak any Italian and they don’t speak any English, but they make SO MUCH FOOD! I gain no less than 10 pounds whenever we go.

 


 

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Mike! Interested in sharing our experience with the Confounder community? Email us at confounder [at] emory [dot] edu for more information on how to be featured!


#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Baffour Otchere

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Meet Baffour Otchere! Baffour is a second-year Epidemiology MPH candidate with research interests in chronic disease, infectious disease, and the intersection between these disease processes. In this feature, we’ll learn more about Baffour, his current projects with Dr. Schechter and Emory’s COVID-19 Outbreak Response Team, and his favorite part about RSPH. Read more below!

 


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

I received an MBCHB degree from the University of Ghana in 2016.

 

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

I am working with Dr. Marcos Schechter and a group of really motivated research assistants on a meta-analysis looking at the relationship between climate and the microbiological profile of diabetic foot infections. The second interesting project I am currently on is my thesis which is looking at the relationship between mental stress and cardiac arrhythmias. I am also a member of Emory’s COVID Outbreak Response Team.

 

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

My favorite part about earning my MPH at Emory is easily working with some of the smartest and most motivated students I have ever met.

 

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

Network as much as you can and take advantage of the varying opportunities at Rollins and Emory.

 

How have you been spending your free time?

In my free time, I watch and play soccer. I also recently started collecting sneakers.

 

If you currently live in Atlanta, what is one place that you would recommend people to visit?

I occasionally walk up Stone Mountain. I highly recommend it. It has nice hiking trails around the mountain as well.

 

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?
  1. I like discovering new music and curating playlists.
  2. I have a love-hate relationship with my favorite soccer team, Manchester United.
  3. Growing up, I wanted to be a soccer player.

 


 

Thanks for chatting with us, Baffour! Stay tuned next week for another feature of #WeAreEmoryEPI on the Confounder.


#WeAreEmoryEPI: McKenzi Thompson

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Meet McKenzi Thompson! McKenzi is a first-year Global Epidemiology MPH candidate with research interests in reproductive health and women’s health. She is specifically interested in monitoring maternal morbidity and mortality as well as prematurity and preterm birth. McKenzi is also the Vice President of the Association of Black Public Health Students (ABPHS) and a student representative in the Department of Epidemiology’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. In this feature, we’ll learn more about McKenzi, her current project, and advice for prospective public health students. Read more below!

 


 

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

I pursued my bachelor of science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Mills College in Oakland, California.

 

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

I am currently a data analyst within the Environmental Health Department investigating pregnancy outcomes resulting from environmental exposures and psychosocial stressors.

 

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 that would be supportive of all my endeavors. After discovering the academic and professional opportunities Rollins had to offer, I knew this school would be the best choice for my career/life plan.

 

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

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

“Everything that is meant to happen will happen.”

“Worry less and dream more.”

 

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

The best thing about Emory is the people. The professors are passionate about their work and the students are driven and intelligent.

 

How have you been spending your free time?

Aside from academics and work, I am Vice President of the Association of Black Public Health Students (ABPHS), I am on the Community and Belonging collaborative, and I am the diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) epidemiology student representative in the Department of Epidemiology DEI committee. When I am not actively involved in academics, work, and extracurricular activities, I like to indulge in different culinary experiences in Atlanta.

 

If you currently live in Atlanta, what is one place that you would recommend people to visit?

I would recommend visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

 

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?
  1. I have hypermobility in my arms and knees
  2. I am a certified full-spectrum doula
  3. I studied abroad in China for a month

 


 

Thanks for sharing your story, McKenzi! Tune in every Monday for another feature of #WeAreEmoryEPI.


#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Emi Grill

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Meet Emi Grill! Emi is a second-year Epidemiology MPH candidate with research interests in infectious disease, field epidemiology, spatial epidemiology, and social determinants of health. In this feature, we’ll learn about Emi, her experience with Emory’s COVID-19 Outbreak Response Team, and her time as a student at Rollins! Read more below.

 


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

I have a B.S. in Biology from George Washington University. I graduated in 2018 and worked in a molecular biology lab at GW for 2 years before coming to Emory!

 

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

I am a member of the Emory COVID-19 Outbreak Response Team led by Dr. Jodie Guest. It is my APE, and I am glad it covers that requirement, but mostly I love the work we are able to do! We have vaccinated hundreds of people, and have had even more vaccine conversations with members of underserved communities in Atlanta and across Georgia. Taking part in our vaccine/testing events, conversations with community members and building relationships with community partners has given me the opportunity to directly apply what I have learned at Emory and to do something I really believe in.

 

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

The people! Community and connections have been a little unusual due to COVID, but the relationships I have made despite that – with other students, faculty, staff, guest lecturers, and more, have still been strong. I have found everyone incredibly approachable and friendly and I think it speaks to a commitment from the entire Rollins community to build that environment.

 

What is your favorite class you have taken so far at Emory and why? 

My favorite elective I have taken is Spatial Epi (EPI 563: Concepts and Applications in Spatial Epidemiology). It’s a challenging course but it’s really well designed and taught. There’s something incredibly satisfying (maybe just to me) about producing a map as part of an analysis, and I learned so much that I have been able to apply in other areas, like my APE. I am hoping to find a job after graduation that allows me to continue to utilize and expand on what I learned in that class!

 

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

Be open! I’m not saying do something you hate, but don’t be afraid of things that may not align 100% with what you think you want to do. Two years is a short time, but there’s definitely some room to take some classes outside of your concentration/certificate, and you never know what new opportunities or interests you might find!

 

How have you been spending your free time? 

My friend recommended the Percy Jackson series to me and I’ve been working my way through it! I never read them when I was younger but it’s been the perfect pace for a break from school when I’m walking my dog or cooking.

 

If you currently live in Atlanta, what is one place that you would recommend people to visit?

The Atlanta Botanical Garden! It’s good any time but it’s a bonus if they have any sort of event going on. Especially if you’re around in the winter, I highly recommend the “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” experience. I look forward to it every year!

 

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?
  1. I used to be a Segway tour guide in Washington, DC
  2. There was a period of about 5 months where I probably spent more time with parasites than people! (COVID + hookworm research = no WFH for me)
  3.  Antonio is my favorite Animal Crossing villager

 


 

Thanks for sharing your story, Emi! Tune in next week for another #WeAreEmoryEPI feature.


#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Haley Tailor

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Meet Haley Tailor! Haley is a first-year Epidemiology MPH candiate with research interests include cancer epidemiology, social epidemiology and health equity. She is specifically interested in how social determinants contribute to health outcomes for cancer patients. In this feature, we learn more about Haley, her current project, and her experience at Rollins! Read more below. 

 


 

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

I graduated from East Carolina University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Science! Following graduation, I completed a post-baccalaureate program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2020.

 

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

I recently began working on a project under Dr. Cam Escoffery and a team at the Emory Prevention Research Center to evaluate the impact of SurvivorLink, an electronic personal health record, on the care of pediatric cancer survivors. We are also studying its implementation in 12 survivor clinics across the US. While I’m new to this role, I’m excited for the hands-on research experience.

 

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

When applying to grad school, I was looking for a school with ample resources for my field of interest and a passionate community. Here at Rollins, being surrounded by people who also love what they do has been nothing short of inspiring.

 

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

My favorite part about earning my MPH at Emory is that there’s a place for everyone no matter our interests. Whether our interests are broad or very specific, Emory faculty and students are very welcoming to connect and chat about their field of work which always sparks engaging conversations.

 

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

Don’t be afraid to explore what peaks your interests, even if it seems your interests are on different ends of a spectrum. Graduate school is the opportunity take classes and do internships to figure it all out.

 

How have you been spending your free time? 

I love reading public health and self-help related books.

 

If you currently live in Atlanta, what is one place that you would recommend people to visit?

I’d recommend Inman park! It’s a great place for coffee/gelato, local shops and some amazing Persian food at Delbar! It also has a connection to the Atlanta beltline, which makes for a fun day outdoors.

 

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you? 
  1. I’m bilingual and learning another language!
  2. Over spring break this semester, I went on a hot air balloon for the first time.
  3. I used to administer COVID-19 vaccines at clinics across rural North Carolina when the Pfizer vaccine was first introduced! It was a really rewarding experience.

 


 

It was great getting to know you, Haley! Interested in being featured on the Confounder? Reach out to our social media associates or email confounder [at] emory [dot] edu. We look forward to hearing from you!


#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Thomas Head

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Meet Thomas Head! Thomas is a first-year Epidemiology MPH candidate with research interests in infectious disease epidemiology and viral pathogens. In this feature, Thomas talks about his experience at Rollins and his work with the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Emerging Infections Program. Read more below!

 


 

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

I graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. I was able to obtain my degree at only 20 years old.

 

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

I am currently working with the Georgia Department of Public Health Emerging Infections Program on their viral epidemiology team.

 

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

Being able to say I am amongst the best at Emory is a moment of honor for me.

 

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

Location and prestige drove me to Rollins. The Atlanta area is a perfect balance of job opportunity, lifestyles, and cost.

 

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you? 
  1. I am a HUGE Yankees fan.
  2. I love all things technology.
  3. I build computers in my freetime.

 


 

Thanks for talking with us, Thomas! Come back next Monday for another feature of #WeAreEmoryEPI. 


#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Dontray Crump

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Meet Dontray Crump! Dontray is a first-year epidemiology MPH candidate. He is interested in how individual- and neighborhood-level social and economic factors contribute to health disparities and health outcomes. He is also interested in how the community/environment affects minority economic stability, education, and health. In this feature, we’ll learn more about Dontray, his upcoming summer project, and advice for those interested in public health! Read more below.

 


 

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

I attended the University of Houston. I received my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in mathematics. I am interested in seeing how data can be applied in various fields that can help people.

 

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

I will be working at the National Institutes of Health this summer. I will be working with a research group where I will be able to learn about how data science skills are used in the biomedical research enterprise.

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

When I was applying to graduate programs, I was looking for diversity within the school and the community.

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

My favorite part is the collaboration and sharing similar interests with my colleagues.

 

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

Showcase authenticity in your personal statement. It is okay if you do not know what your public health interests are prior to getting your MPH.

 

How have you been spending your free time?

I spend my free time by doing various volunteering activities, watching television shows, and hanging with close friends.

 

If you currently live in Atlanta, what is one place that you would recommend people to visit?

I would recommend High Museum of Art.

 

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?
  1. I taught high school math.
  2. My favorite type of food are wings.
  3. I like to try different foods.

 


 

It was great getting to know you, Dontray! Stay tuned every Monday for another feature of #WeAreEmoryEPI.


#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Jeff Whatley

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Meet Jeff Whatley! Jeff is a first-year epidemiology MPH candidate with research interests in infectious disease and HIV. In this feature, we’ll learn more about Jeff, his current projects, and his favorite part about RSPH. Read more below.

 


 

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

I graduated from Ball State University last spring with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry on the Pre-Med track.

 

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 within two Emory Dialysis centers. This project is focused on decreasing the incidence of staph infections in persons receiving dialysis treatments.

 

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

Everyone is welcomed with open arms. Whenever you are confused, whether it be concerning class or career choice, there is always someone to point you in the right direction.

 

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

The city of Atlanta!

 

If you currently live in Atlanta, what is one place that you would recommend people to visit?

APT 4B

 

How have you been spending your free time?

Currently I’ve been listening to a podcast called ‘The Read’!

 

What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?
  1. I love tacos.
  2. I have an obsession with crocs.
  3. I enjoy cooking…sometimes.

 


 

It was great getting to know you, Jeff! Tune in next Monday for another feature of #WeAreEmoryEPI.