#WeAreEmoryEPI: Publication Highlight!

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!

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  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: Meet Ellisen Herndon

In this week’s student spotlight, we are catching up with Ellisen Herndon, the department’s second RSGA representative for 2022 (we featured Maclane last week ICYMI). She is a first-year Master’s student interested in how social determinants of health affect disease distribution in Georgia. Read on to learn more about her background, favorite parts about Rollins, and plans for her new role as EPI rep. 

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

I am an Emory alumna! I graduated in 2018 with a BS in Biology and Sociology.

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

I am planning for my APE this summer, aiming to focus on geographic information systems and equitable healthcare access.

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 where I could tailor my education to my interests, while also reserving room to learn new things. Additionally, since professors at Rollins are at the forefront of their respective fields, they can provide valuable and unique insight.

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

Take courses that may be out of your comfort zone – you may fall in love with a new topic.

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

I enjoy working and studying alongside intellectually dedicated and creative people. The student body, faculty, and staff truly push you to become the best version of yourself.

What are you most looking forward to during your term as RSGA EPI student representative?

I am most looking forward to bringing fun and exciting activities to the students in the EPI department!

What are some changes or cool ideas you are looking to bring to bring to the department?

We are really hoping to get the Epidemiology student body engaged with other departments. We want to build a strong Rollins community – where personal, academic, and professional connections extend beyond the boundaries of discipline. 

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

1. I was a competitive dancer for 16 years.
2. All my plants are named after my favorite TV characters.
3. I am half Puerto Rican!

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

The Westside Reservoir Park! It is part of the Atlanta BeltLine project and is located at a beautiful quarry.

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

Meet your new RSGA EPI Reps!