Category Archives: GLEPI

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Santino Diaz-Palma

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI GLEPI

Welcome back to #WeAreEmoryEPI! This week, we heard from second year GLEPI MPH student, Santino. Read more below about his interests and experience!

Tell us about your academic history/where you went to school.
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio.
 
What are your primary research interests?
My research interests primarily stem from the intersection of emerging infectious diseases, One-Health, and emergency response. I am intrigued by the intricacies that these fields have with one another, and hope to continue learning more about them!
 
Are there any exciting projects that you are currently working on that you’d like to share with us?
I’d say my thesis is pretty exciting to me as it centers in the realm of some infectious diseases and psychological disorders (e.g. PTSD, 22q11 deletion syndrome). I haven’t had an opportunity to explore the role of infections on chronic illness, so I find that exciting!
 
What is your favorite part about earning your MPH at Emory?
I’d say the community I’ve been able to immerse myself in. There are so many individuals from a plethora of backgrounds and experiences.
 
When applying, what were you looking for in a public health school, and what factors drove you to pick Rollins?
I mainly looked for opportunities that allowed me to continue expanding my outlook on the world. RSPH not only fulfilled that requirement, but exceeded my expectations as I have had many chances to connect and explore different global perspectives through my friends and courses.
 
What advice do you have for 1st years?
My biggest advice is to ensure you are taking time to treat yourself to items that recharge your energy (whether physical or mentally). Grad school can be a lot, but you have to ensure you are taking care of yourself in order to truly thrive!
 
What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?

Three!?! This is a hard question! On the spot, I’d have to say  1) I was a chandler (candle maker) for some time, 2) I’ve read a 730 page book in day (I did not sleep that day), 3) I was a varsity e-sports player in undergrad

How have you been spending your free time?
I’ve been reading quite a bit!
 
Do you have any advice for prospective public health students?
Choose a program that resonates with your passions rather than choosing ‘prestige’.
 
What is one place that you would recommend people to visit?
I think everyone should take a trip (or spend some time) walking along the BeltLine!
 

Thanks for joining us this week, Santino! Stay tuned to see who we talk to next on #WeAreEmoryEPI.

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Ursula Kajani

Category : #WeAreEmoryEPI GLEPI

Welcome back to #WeAreEmoryEPI! This week, we heard from second-year GLEPI MPH student Ursula Kajani. Read more about her experience below!

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

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Public Health with a minor in Anthropology.

 
What are your primary research interests?

My primary research interests focus on implementation science for strengthening community health systems, particularly for vulnerable populations. I am especially interested in exploring these issues through the lens of climate change and its impact on health equity.

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

During my time at Rollins, I have been fortunate to work full-time at The Carter Center in the Health Strategy, Innovation, and Program Support Unit. This experience has allowed me to apply classroom learnings directly to my work, particularly in climate change and health, as well as qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Currently, I am leveraging my skills to contribute to projects that examine the intersection of climate and health in the context of strategic program development.

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

The community at Rollins is truly life-changing—I’ve had the privilege of forming deep friendships with incredible peers, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences. Learning alongside such passionate and diverse individuals has enriched my education in ways beyond the classroom.

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

As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I sought a public health school with a strong cultural fit, globally experienced faculty, and a commitment to social impact. Rollins stood out for its diverse community, cross-listing of epidemiology and global health, and opportunities for hands-on experience through partnerships with Atlanta-based organizations like The Carter Center and the CDC.

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

While I have had the opportunity to take several incredible courses taught by highly knowledgeable faculty, my favorite epidemiology course was Structural Interventions. This seminar provided a deep dive into epidemiological methodologies relevant to implementation and practice, framing the field within the realities of real-world, resource-constrained settings. We critically examined the strengths and limitations of existing published structural interventions and had the opportunity to design our own viable intervention.

 
What advice do you have for 1st years?

Make your graduate school journey uniquely yours. If you’re unsure of your direction, explore courses that spark your interest while also building hard skills that will benefit your career. Connect with peers and professors, leverage the many opportunities Rollins offers, and don’t forget to balance academics with personal growth—take time to explore Atlanta and all it has to offer!

 
What are three fun facts that you want people to know about you?
  1. All of my plants have names assigned to their personalities.
  2. My ancestors would be ashamed of my cooking abilities.
  3. I lived in Rwanda for about 6 years and visit annually!
 
How have you been spending your free time?
I love going to hot yoga and have a resolution to engage in at least one nature, art, or music based activity every month – although most of my free time is spent with friends, often watching old Bollywood movies.
Thanks for sharing with us, Ursula! Stay tuned to see who we speak to next on #WeAreEmoryEPI! 

“Spread Truth, Not Disease” Hackathon, 4/17

Category : GLEPI News/Events

Description

Did you know that more than a billion people worldwide are at risk of contracting neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)? These infections can lead to disability (including blindness and elephantiasis), stigma, and even death.

NTDs are preventable and treatable, but oftentimes people are unwilling to accept treatment due to disturbing rumors or misinformation they have heard. The Task Force for Global Health is hosting a virtual hackathon, “Spreading Truth, Not Disease,” on April 17th to solve this global health communication challenge that countries face today.

Interdisciplinary teams of students will compete to win $2,000 and the opportunity to showcase their work in a virtual booth, during the annual meeting of the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD), a global meeting of researchers, program implementers and their in-country partners with the shared goal of optimizing NTD control and elimination.

 

How to Participate

  • Click here to read more details about this event
  • Click here to register your team for the Hackathon!

 

Global Field Experience Financial Award, RSPH

Category : GLEPI Student Opportunities

Opportunity Description 

The Global Field Experience Financial Awards (GFEFA) provide supplemental funding to support Rollins student summer field experiences in low- and middle-income countries. MSPH and MPH students from all departments are eligible to submit a proposal for a GFE Financial Award and must be enrolled at Rollins for the semester prior to their field experience to qualify for an award.

To apply, students must develop and submit an application describing a project that is:

  • Well-defined, rational, and feasible
  • Integral to the student’s public health training
  • Of measurable value to the host organization/community, and
  • Based in a clearly articulated, mutually beneficial partnership

 

Site Eligibility 

Fieldwork may take place in the U.S. in person and/or virtually per CDC COVID-19 Safety Guidelines. Priority consideration will be given to applied public health fieldwork for the benefit of a population(s) in LMICs or priority populations in the U.S. as identified in by the CDC’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. 

During COVID: Unless you are a citizen of another country and can do fieldwork in that country, or you have approval from your host organization, are permitted to enter the host nation, and meet parameters from the U.S. State Department to travel, you should consider the modified U.S.-based opportunity above.

 

How to Apply 

 

Emory Global Perioperative Health Alliance’s Spring Symposium, 3/6 – 3/7

Category : GLEPI News/Events

Description

With the goal of bringing together current & future leaders in the world of global surgery, we are pleased to announce the inaugural launch of the Emory Global Perioperative Health Alliance’s Spring Symposium.

This event will represent voices from a variety of fields, including but not limited to different surgical specialties, nursing, anesthesia, obstetrics and gynecology, public health, and clinical research. Breakout panels will cover topics such as trauma, maternal health, oncology, care in low resource settings, and careers.

Students of all levels are also invited to submit abstracts for a judged virtual poster session. Categories for submissions include research, education, case-based, and out-of-the-box. Posters or talks previously presented at a national or regional meeting are admissible. For abstract submission, please complete the following interest form. Submission deadline is January 18.  

 

Event Information

  • When: March 6-7, 2021 from 9 AM to 2 PM EST
  • Theme: Inter-Professional Collaboration in Global Surgery
  • Keynote Speaker: Robert Riviello, MD, MPH – Director of Global Surgery Programs at Brigham and Women’s Center for Surgery and Public Health
  • Format: Virtual
  • Registration Cost: Free

 

How to Attend 

To register and learn more about the upcoming Spring Symposium, click here! 

 

COVID-19 Vaccines are a Global Public Good: Op-ed by Two Emory EPI PhD Students

Category : GLEPI News/Events

Description

Even over winter break, Emory EPI students continue to devote their time and energy to finding unique ways to address the pressing public health concerns of today. First year PhD students Christina Chandra and Aniruddha Deshpande recently co-wrote an opinion piece for the AJC about COVID-19 vaccine distribution, which was published on December 31st, 2020. They argue that COVID-19 vaccines are a global public good and that our representatives can help ensure global access to vaccines, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

You can check out the full article here, be sure to read and share! 

 

Coalition Support Intern, Task Force for Global Health

Category : GLEPI Student Opportunities

Organization Description

The Task Force for Global Health is an independent, 501(c)3, nongovernmental organization based in Atlanta, GA, USA, with a field office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our programs focus on eliminating diseases and protecting populations. Since our founding, we only take on problems we know can be solved, and we do it through powerful, global collaborations because we are in the business of solving problems. Until now, there has been no established forum to promote promising practices across the many and varied types of health campaigns. To address these gaps, The Task Force for Global Health has launched the Health Campaign Effectiveness Coalition with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Coalition is a cross-campaign coalition that fosters learning and systems change. It brings together country leaders, donors, multilateral organizations and NGOs from several large-scale health campaign domains, as well as specialists in health systems, ethics, and health economics. The Coalition will support research that fosters the testing and replication of evidence-based campaign practices. It will also develop guidelines and approaches so campaigns can improve collaboration with the health systems of countries.

 

Duties and Responsibilities 

The student will serve as a REAL intern with the Health Campaign Effectiveness program. Student will assist in various coalition-support activities including but not limited to:

  • Support HCE Coalition work group(s) activities, such as communication to work group members, planning and supporting meetings, following up on work group action items, and facilitating coordination
  • Assist in managing website resources to fulfill the coalition’s knowledge management strategy/focus
  • Contribute towards the planning and facilitation of a (virtual) international conference to convene the HCE Coalition
  • Contribute to literature review and synthesis activities

This role for the student will allow them to work hands on with members of the team such as the Communications Manager, Project Manager, Sr Associate Director for the Coalition, Sr Associate Director for Implementation Research, the Director, along with members of a global health coalition.

 

This position is remote eligible and is open to REAL and non-REAL students. 

 

How to Apply 

Click here to read more about this position and apply on Handshake! 

 

 

 

Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Global Safe WASH

Category : GLEPI Student Opportunities

Description:

The Moe Research Group in the The Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene is seeking to hire one or two GRAs to support several of our current and future projects  in this summer and coming fall. 

Project Summary: 

The Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (CGSW) is seeking Graduate Research Assistants (GRA) with strong data skills to support multiple existing projects:

  1. (SaniPath (http://sanipath.org/), an exposure assessment study for fecal contamination in urban, low-income settings in more than ten cities
  2. Typhoid Environmental Surveillance Study, a sewage surveillance study to monitor Typhoid circulation in the city of Kolkata, India
  3. Exposure Assessment for Cholera in Nairobi, Kenya;

Student Role:  

Under the guidance of CGSW faculty and staff, the GRA will assist with database development, data management and analysis, data visualization, and publications.

Qualifications:  

Applicants must have good knowledge of public health, statistics, and computer programming.  

Skills: intermediate skill in R is required and knowledge about ODK/mobile data collection, Rmarkdown, and R Shiny are preferred

Interested?  

Please send your CV and an e-mail describing your interest, background, and availability during this summer and Fall 2020 semester to Yuke Wang: yuke [dot] wang [at] emory [dot] edu and Suraja Raj: suraja [dot] jeya [dot] raj [at] emory [dot] edu.

 

COVID-19 and Global Environmental Change Webinar Series, 5/11

Category : GLEPI News/Events

Part 3 of Webinar Series: The Decade After

The COVID pandemic has induced radical societal change in the matter of months, a sense of urgency, and emphasized the need for coordinated international action. How can we leverage this once in a generation inflection point to create the same sense of urgency and levels of coordinated action to address the climate crisis and sustainable development? How do we create the public demand for a more sustainable future to ensure that we do not return to business as usual? What will be the lessons from the COVID pandemic about addressing social and economic inequities?

Moderators:

Gonzalo Franjul, Policy Director, ISGlobal

Seminar Outline

  • Introduction (10 min): Céline Charveriat, Executive Director, Institute for European Environmental Policy
  • How the COVID pandemic can accelerate progress towards SDGs-Eeva Furman, SYKE (15 min)
  • The potential for social movements and collective action Christos Zografos, University Pompeu Fabra (15 min)
  • Could COVID move the dial forward on addressing inequalities? Mauricio Barreto, Maurício L. Barreto, MD, PhD, Emeritus Professor, Federal University of Bahia, and Senior Investigator at FIOCRUZ. Director of the Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (Cidacs), Fiocruz FIO Cruz, Brazil (15 min)
  • Getting the message right – how to build broad support and urgency for change? (15 min) Rafa Villasanjuan, ISGlobal.
  • Moderated discussion (15 min)
     

Register

  • Click here to register for the third and final event in this webinar series on May 11 at 9am EST (15:00 CEST) 

 

 

COVID-19, Global Environmental Change, and Opportunities to Progress Toward SDGs: Webinar Series, 4/28

Category : GLEPI News/Events

Description

This first session from a series of online webinars explores the proximal and distal causes of the pandemic and the complex relation between infections, climate and other global environmental change. How do global environmental changes such as biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and urbanization facilitate the occurrence of new epidemics or modulate their public health impact?

Click here to view a pdf with more detailed information regarding the webinar series and the individual, upcoming events! 

Programme

  • Introduction to the series. COVID-19 and Planetary Health (Josep M Antó, ISGlobal)
  • The Day After (Oriana Ramírez, ISGlobal)
  • Global environmental pollution and resilience to infections (David Savitz, Brown University, USA)
  • Land use change and biodiversity loss (Fernando Valladares, CSIC)
  • Lessons from SARS, Ebola, Nipah – how our relationship with other animals got us here (Júlia Vergara, IRTA-CRESA)
  • Moderated discussion (15 min). Moderator: Cathryn Tonne

This is the first of a series of online webinars featuring presentations from area experts and moderated discussion to foster knowledge exchange across a broad audience. It is offered by ISGlobal and the Day After (el Día Después in Spanish) platform, and is oriented to a general scientific audience. It will be in English.

Register 

  • Click here to register for the first event in the webinar series on April 28th at 9am EST (15:00 CEST)

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