Author Archives: Shamika Chavda

#WeAreEmoryEPI: World TB Day, Part 1!

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

World TB Day is March 24th, and this week, we’ll hear from two students completing TB-related work! Victoria Ontiveros is a first-year GLEPI MPH student, and Neha Mokashi is a first year EPI MSPH student! Read more about their academic and professional background below. 

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

Victoria: I have a B.S. in quantitative sciences with a concentration in biology from Emory University.

Neha: I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BSPH in Biostatistics and a minor in Biology! Go Heels!

Why are you interested in TB research? 

Victoria: Even though TB is thousands of years old and kills more than a million people every year, many challenges remain in controlling and eliminating TB in the US and globally. As I have learned more about TB, I have become particularly interested in latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) since it affects approximately a quarter of the world’s population, and detection and treatment are not necessarily straightforward and simple.

Neha: I am interested in TB research because it gives me the opportunity to explore my interests in respiratory infections and health disparities research. Poverty is an important determinant of the disease and TB prevention efforts require delving deeper into the social and economic risk factors for TB. 

Tell us about your current project or projects you have worked on. What does/did your role look like?

Victoria: I have been working with Dr. Matthew Magee and Dr. Maia Kipiani’s TB research team since I was junior in college. During these past few years, I have supported data quality control and data entry for their ongoing cohort study examining the relationship between TB and diabetes mellitus in the country of Georgia. Additionally, using data from a past cohort study in Tbilisi, Georgia, I have been preparing a manuscript that estimates the incidence of hypertension during and within 12 months of TB treatment completion and measures the association between TB severity and hypertension incidence.

Neha: I currently work with the CDC’s Division of TB Elimination, where I assist in prioritizing clusters of reported TB cases in the US to inform public health prevention efforts. My current project focuses on evaluating how well our team is prioritizing clusters.

What is your favorite part about being a part of this research group?

Victoria: Everyone is very friendly and genuinely wants to support your academic development and success.

Neha: My favorite part about being a part of this research group is definitely the people! Our group consists of individuals from different professional backgrounds, which has allowed me to learn about different aspects of TB prevention and control. 

What has been your favorite class at Rollins thus far, and why?

Victoria: EPI 542 Epidemiology of Tuberculosis has been my favorite class so far. The class gives you a broad overview of the different topics related to TB, and if you are particularly interested in one area, the professors provide supplementary reading material and guest speakers are always happy to answer your questions.

Neha: My favorite class at Rollins thus far has been the Epidemiology of TB course. I have really enjoyed hearing about different topic areas in TB from leading experts in the field and have gained insight into the type of research I want to conduct in the future.

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

Victoria: 

  1. I collect trinkets.
  2. I have won a watch in a raffle that I hadn’t known I’d entered.
  3. I started playing tennis for fun in grad school.

Neha: 

  1. I was born and raised in Alabama.
  2. I used to do research on tick-borne diseases before coming to Emory.
  3. My new favorite activity is barre!
How have you been spending your free time?

Victoria: I have been trying out new lunch and dinner recipes!

What is one place that you would recommend people to visit?

Victoria: The Mason Mill Park trails include some paved walkways that are great for strolls or runs. It connects to Lullwater Preserve, so it is accessible for Emory students.

Neha: If you are looking for the best tacos in Atlanta, I highly recommend Little Rey!

Do you have a Twitter/Instagram that you’d like us to plug? 

Neha: Instagram: @nehamokashi

Thanks for joining us this week on #WeAreEmoryEPI! Next time, we’ll be hearing from some faculty members with projects in TB. Additionally, keep an eye out for events and seminars held by the TB Research Advancement Center from March 22-28! 

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Publication Highlight!

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI Uncategorized

This week, we are highlighting a recent textbook publication by Drs. Lauren Christiansen-Lindquist and Kristin Wall! The “Fundamentals of Epidemiology” textbook has been a few years in the making and we are so excited to share more about it. The textbook is linked here. 

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

Dr. Christiansen-Lindquist: LCL completed her B.A. at the University of Minnesota, and both her MPH and Ph.D. At Emory University!
Dr. Wall: Dr. Wall completed her B.S. at the University of Texas Austin, her M.S. at the University of Texas Health Center, and her Ph.D. at Emory University!

What are your primary research interests?

Dr. Christiansen-Lindquist: Addressing the US stillbirth crisis through enhancing our data collection and improving the care that families receive around the time of a loss. This work includes the fusion of epidemiology and parent advocacy to pursue federal legislation to address these needs.
Dr. Wall: Advance evidence-based decision-making to improve STI prevention and reproductive health for women and couples by exploring effective and cost-effective strategies both domestically and in limited-resource settings.

Tell us about your recent publication! 

This book is unique in so many ways and highlights how we think about teaching epidemiology, both to budding epidemiologists as well as to those who have no intention of pursuing a career in public health. We see this as an opportunity to lay the foundation for critical thinking skills that are required to be an informed member of society. We were quite the team working through this, and neither of us could have completed the work without the other. We drew on our strengths, expertise, and friendship as we got through this massive undertaking!

Check out the making of the textbook and some exciting features!

Do you have any upcoming/ongoing projects that you’re excited about?

Kristin finds herself really missing the book writing process while Lauren is thrilled to have it behind them! We’re currently co-teaching HLTH 207: Fundamentals of Epidemiology (the course that we both teach for the college, which the book was titled after). We’ve never co-taught before, and are enjoying the opportunity, while also getting to teach our students using this new text.

Tell us about any classes that you’re teaching/have taught in the past. 

We both teach Fundamentals of Epidemiology to Emory undergraduate students. Kristin teaches EPI 540 and a course on epi methods for clinicians. LCL also teaches EPI 550 and a course for doctoral students that helps create a bridge between biostatistics and epidemiology.

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

Dr. Christiansen-Lindquist: 

  • I was terrified of public speaking until half-way through the first semester of my doctoral program when I was a TA for EPI 530
  • The newest addition to the Lindquist family is a bearded dragon named RBD (Ruth Bader Dragon)
  • I majored in French in college, and would love to learn EPI vocabulary with the hope of teaching EPI methods in French during the summers

Dr. Wall: 

  • I spent most of my free time playing with my two kids (aged 1 and 5) or losing at chess to my husband!
    Thanks for joining us for this publication highlight! Again, be sure to check out the “Fundamentals of Epidemiology” textbook, and stay tuned to see who we talk to next on WeAreEmoryEPI!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Outstanding APE Awards!

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

This week, we’re highlighting two of the EPI finalists for the Outstanding APE Award: Ava Cox (EPI MPH) and Ketki Joshi (GLEPI MSPH)! Read more below to learn more about them and their APE experiences.

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

Ava: I graduated from Furman University in May 2022 with my Bachelors of Science in Public Health. I also double majored in History!

Ketki: I am an international student from India.

 

What are your primary research interests?

Ava: During my time at Rollins I have had the opportunity to work with Emory University School of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Disease on a study looking at the association between HIV and the gut microbiome, driving my interest in HIV. Specifically, my research interests include HIV and aging, and the intersection between health equity and HIV infection.

Ketki: My primary interests are Global health, Oral health, Maternal and Child Health focusing on Field-based research.

 

Tell us about your APE project.

Ava: For my APE, I was a collaborative biostatistics intern with Emory University School of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Disease, working on a project looking at the association of age and pregnancy history with the burden of non-AIDS comorbidities among women with and without HIV, using baseline data from the Study for Treatment and Reproductive Outcomes (STAR). In my role, I wrote SAS code for data cleaning and restructuring, and conducted analysis. Following my analysis I wrote abstracts and presented my findings to the Primary Investigators of STAR.

Ketki: The main objective of our APE project was to identify the gaps, barriers, and current practices in screening Tuberculosis (TB) in pregnant women receiving hospital and community-based antenatal care (ANC). The target population for this study was healthcare workers (HCWs) and pregnant women at a tertiary care facility and a Community Health Center in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

 

How did you find your APE project?

Ava: While working as a graduate research assistant for the HIV and gut microbiome study, I asked my supervisor if she or one of her colleagues had any projects I might be able to work on. She provided me a list and I reached out to several before Dr. Collins, the primary investigator for my APE, responded and offered to talk more about a project she had available.

Ketki: I applied for the Emory Global Health Institute’s “Field Scholars Awards Program” in March 2023.

 

When did you start looking for an APE? When did you start working for your APE organization? 

Ava: I started looking pretty early, around February/March 2023, but I didn’t secure my APE until mid-April 2023; I started my APE in May 2023.

Ketki: I started looking for an APE around end of November, 2023. I received Award notification in May and started working in June, 2023.

 

Are you pursuing/interested in any certificates? If so, was it difficult to meet your APE requirements?

Ava: Yes, I am pursuing a certificate in infectious disease. I didn’t have any issue meeting my APE requirements, but my best advice is to ask advisors or supervisors if they know of any opportunities and it never hurts to ask!

Ketki: I am not pursuing any certificates.

 

What has the experience been like so far? (if you’ve started the experience)

Ava: I thoroughly enjoyed my position as a collaborative biostatistics intern! Working with my team members has been incredibly rewarding and I’ve learned a lot about data analysis and the processes after data from a study has been collected. My APE has given me more confidence in my abilities and I feel more prepared for my future career in public health.

 

Any advice for people looking for an APE?

Ava: Whatever existing connections you have, use them – don’t be intimidated! Asking around at my REAL job was incredibly helpful and I found that my supervisors and coworkers wanted me to find a position that was right for me.

Ketki: Anyone looking for an APE should reach out to the professors and learn about their projects. Start early and Network more!

 

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

Ava:

  1. I am originally from North Carolina
  2. I have a cat named Raisin
  3. I love to bake

Ketki:

  1. I am a trained Bharatnatyam (one of the 9 Indian classical dance forms) dancer.
  2. This summer, I had a chance to visit two UNESCO world heritage sites: Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi and The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka during our APE filed visit in Madhya Pradesh, India. (APE field experiences can be fun!)
  3. I can speak three languages: Marathi, Hindi and English.

 

Do you have a Twitter/Instagram/both that you’d like us to plug?

Ketki: Instagram: ketkij_27

Many thanks to Ava and Ketki for sharing their APE experiences with us! Congratulations to the both of them for being selected as finalists for the Outstanding APE award. Stay tuned to see who we talk to on #WeAreEmoryEPI next!  
 
 
 

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Noni Bourne!

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Meet Noni Bourne! Noni is one of our Associate Director of Academic Programs (ADAPs) for the EPI department, specifically focusing on EPI and GLEPI MSPH and PhD students.

Tell us a little about your academic history/where you went to school.
I’m a proud alumna of Spelman College, where I graduated with my BA in English. I also have a Master’s in English Literature from Georgetown University. My career path has shifted since then, but I’m still an avid reader!
 
What were you doing before you came to Rollins?
Before I came to Rollins, I was in a similar role supporting undergraduates at a liberal arts school in Washington, DC. Before that, I had prior lives as a Peace Corps volunteer in Vanuatu; as a pre-school teacher; and of, course, other roles in higher education!
 
Why did you want to become ADAP for the Epidemiology Department? 
I was drawn to RSPH and EPI because of the student-centered environment. I’m from a family of educators and am a big nerd at heart. I knew this was the role for me when I heard and saw the focus on student success throughout my interview process.
 
What are you most excited about working with MPH students? 
What excites me about working with our students is the energy, enthusiasm, and motivation. Our students are amazing! I really am proud to see the amazing work they do everyday and it gives me life!
 
What goals do you have when working with new students? 
My goal when working with students is to be helpful. Whether it’s something small (like what to do when you lose your EmoryCard) or something big (like how do I best position myself to be marketable post-graduation), I hope my students always come out of my meetings with clear to-do’s and goals.
 
What is your favorite part of being at Emory?
The people! From students, to staff, to faculty–everyone I’ve meet and worked with here is wonderful.
 
What advice do you have for students? 
Ask questions; be a sponge; get involved!
 
 
What is one place in Atlanta that you would recommend people to visit?
This one is for the student-parents (or anyone who’s a kid at heart…or loves dinosaurs): Fernbank Museum. My littles love this place and will spend hours exploring the exhibits and playgrounds.
 
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?
Reading A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik: a story set in a magical boarding school with a survivalist twist. 
 
What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?

1. I love a magical trilogy! (Please send me recommendations!)

2. I have 7-year-old twins and am a newly minted soccer mom.

3. I’ve reached the stage of life where Zumba is fun. (It really is!)

Thank you for sharing with us! We can’t wait for you all to see what’s next on #WeAreEmoryEpi!

#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet Dr. Hannah Cooper!

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

Tuesday, October 10th was World Mental Health Day, and this week we are highlighting Dr. Hannah Cooper! Dr. Cooper is the Rollins Chair of Substance Use Disorders Research and is a jointly appointed faculty member within both the BSHES and EPI Departments. Keep reading to learn more about her background and research! 

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

I organized my training so that I could study and intervene in the structural determinants of drug-related harms, and of inequities in those harms. My commitment to understanding structural determinants and health equity led me to the Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Health and Social Behavior for my graduate studies. My commitment to harm reduction drew me to a post-doc at a research institute that was wholly dedicated to supporting the health of people who use drugs.

 

What are your primary research interests?

I have dedicated my career to studying and intervening in the structural determinants of drug-related harms, and of inequities in those harms. I think of my career as unfolding in different chapters. First, I focused on how features of places, including War on Drugs policies, shaped these harms, and their distributions within and across US metro areas. Then I turned to the same topic, but in rural areas. Now, I am in a new chapter, on the intersection of harm reduction and reproductive justice.

 

How did you fall into the research you are currently conducting? 

There are two origins for my research. The first is that I am White, and descended from people who enslaved other people. My work on health equity is part of a broader lifelong commitment to reparations. The second is that drug-related harms are common in my extended family, and so I do this work out to honor them.

 

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

I get to co-lead a new project called CORAL, which a partnership of Morehouse and Emory that is dedicated to helping Black pregnant and postpartum people flourish, with a focus on community-driven approaches to supporting behavioral health.

 

What is your favorite part of being at Emory? 

The people!

 

Tell us about any classes that you’re teaching/have taught in the past.

I get to teach two classes here: a proposal development course for BSHES PhD students, and a course on analyzing administrative data and geospatial data that focuses on harm reduction.

 

What advice do you have for students?

Trust yourself.

 

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

1. I just started playing the cello again.

2. I love reading.

3. There are only two fun facts about me, sadly.

 

How have you been spending your free time? 

Raising my daughter with my partner.

Thank you so much for your insight, Dr. Cooper! Stay tuned to see who we speak to next on #WeAreEmoryEpi! 

 

#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet the 2023-24 Communications Team!

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI

This week, we’re introducing this year’s communication team for the Epidemiology Department! Erica Schipper will be in charge of The Confounder, Kanak Belgaum will be running @rollinsepilife on Instagram, and I (Shamika Chavda) will be running our Twitter account, @EmoryEpi, and the #WeAreEmoryEpi posts. 

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

Shamika: I graduated from the University of Florida this past Spring with a Bachelor’s in Public Health and minor in Health Disparities in Society! 

Erica: I graduated from William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia in 2022! I majored in Kinesiology & Health Sciences with a concentration in public health and a minor in math. I came straight to Rollins after undergrad, and am now a second year Epi student in the SDOH certificate program 🙂

Kanak: I graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2022, where I majored in Animal Science.

What are your primary research interests? 

Shamika: I’m most interested in studying emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, and disease surveillance.

Erica: My primary research interests are chronic health and developmental disabilities such as Autism. I have also worked in cancer research, and am currently working on a project in perinatal health.

Kanak: I am most interested in infectious & zoonotic diseases, with a focus on the role of data science/machine learning in those fields

What is your role on the communications team?

Shamika: I am a social media associate, and am running the Twitter page as well as the #WeAreEmoryEpi posts!

Erica: I manage the weekly Confounder newsletter and the ScholarBlog website.

Kanak: Social Media Associate (Instagram)

What are you looking forward to the most this semester? 

Shamika: It’s my first semester at Emory, so I’m very excited to get involved with internships and research exploring my interests as well as build new skills in infectious disease epi and programming!

Erica:
I am really looking forward to taking more electives this semester, and applying everything I learned last year to my new classes.

Kanak: Besides paving my future career path, I am most excited to meet new people and explore the city of Atlanta. 

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

Shamika:

  • I play the bass guitar and piano.
  • I love rewatching Studio Ghibli movies, and am approaching my 10th rewatch of My Neighbor Totoro.
  • I love going to concerts, and have a rubber chicken named Poblano that I bring with me to all of them to document the experience.

Erica:

  • My favorite hobbies are making crafts, baking, and planning elaborate events like birthday parties or weddings that will never happen
  • I’ve performed the national anthem before a professional baseball game twice on an instrument I don’t really know how to play
  • I’m a Gilmore Girls mega fan and really wish I could live in Stars Hollow

Kanak: 

  • I am a huge LA Clippers fan (unfortunately)
  • Starting in 2021, have watched 30+ seasons of Survivor 3.
  • I love traveling and visited Japan, England, and Paris this past summer!

Thanks for checking out this week’s WeAreEmoryEpi post!

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Epidemiology Department Rollins School of Public Health