Category Archives: Uncategorized

#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!
    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.


Webinar: How to Make the Most of Your Student Practicum, June 16

The field of public health is booming with opportunities for students to put public health into action beyond the classroom. From the public sector to the private, and both in governmental and nongovernmental spaces – there are endless directions that students can take public health degrees. This session, featuring Montrece Ransom, JD, MPH, Director of the National Coordinating Center for Public Health Training, is designed to introduce students to the purpose of coaching, mentorship and sponsorship and how to leverage these relations for career growth.

Session discussions will focus on preparing students for their next role now while in practicums and the do’s and don’ts of being an effective mentee. By examining their skill gaps and opportunities for growth, students can shape their practicum experiences to position them to get the job they want upon graduation. Students will leave this session with strategies to build their skillsets and invest in valuable relationships to land their next role with confidence!

Event Details

  • This session will be held on June 16, 2021 from 12-1 PM ET.
  • Click here to register for the event!

 


CDC Networks and Health Fellowship, post doc 4/1

Category : Uncategorized

Description

A fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Community Interventions for Infection Control Unit (CI-ICU), Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ) within the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

CI-ICU plays a key role in the development of recommendations on use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for mitigating the transmission of pandemic influenza. NPIs that all people should practice at all times are particularly important during a pandemic. These everyday preventive actions include staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, frequent and appropriate hand-washing, and routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. Community-level interventions can be added during pandemics and implemented in a graded fashion depending on the severity of the pandemic; these include measures aimed to reduce social contacts between people in schools, workplaces, and other community settings.

The fellow will be training with CI-ICU on development of public health programs and projects for pandemic influenza planning, preparedness and response as well as evaluation of public health projects, epidemiological investigations, and literature reviews. This training will include assessing the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of school closures and other non-pharmaceutical interventions; reporting performance measures for science, policy, and communication activities; monitoring dissemination of the non-pharmaceutical guidance for pandemic influenza preparedness and response for state and local health department usage; developing materials used in unit and/or CDC-wide events and activities for use in public health policy or communication; and collaborating with epidemiologists, health scientists, health communicators, and medical officers.

Under the guidance of a mentor, specific training opportunities for the research participant may include:

  • Conducting social network analysis to assess social contact and mixing patterns in schools and workplaces
  • Collaborating on epidemiological and modeling projects on NPIs
  • Developing innovative strategies for reducing or slowing the transmission of pandemic influenza

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. The initial appointment can be up to one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at CDC in the Atlanta, GA, area. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: April 1, 2019 

Qualifications

Doctoral degree in science, public health, or a related field. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

Experience in conducing social network analysis is strongly preferred.

For more information and to apply, click HERE


Meet your new RSGA EPI Reps!

Michelle McKinlay Nathan Quan
Hey y’all! My name is Michelle and I am so excited to have the opportunity to serve as one of your Epi Reps. I am originally from a small town called Enumclaw, Washington, completed my undergrad at UC Berkeley (GO BEARS!), moved to rural Alabama for two years to complete a community health fellowship, and am now here at RSPH with all of you. Within the department, I find myself most interested in social epidemiology, though am enjoying the opportunity to explore various topics at Rollins. Some of my favorite things include paddleboarding, eating yummy food, scary movies, gymnastics, the Seahawks, the Cal Bears, and spending time with my family. I’m also a self-proclaimed coffee shop connoisseur, so please share your favorite spots with me! One of my main goals as your Epi Rep is to create an environment within the department that allows everyone to feel welcome, and encourages students to extend beyond their typical comfort zones. And, of course, to help create an awesome Epi Department t-shirt! See you around Rollins.
I’m very excited to have begun my term as EPI student rep! I grew up in Vienna, VA and attended Virginia Tech for undergrad (GO HOKIES!!!). In my spare time, I love cooking, reading, and discovering new music. I’m also training to enter my first road cycling race this semester! One of my goals as EPI rep is to increase first and second year student body interaction. I hope to meet each and everyone of you!

Upcoming Events

  • Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Seminar October 10, 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Seminar Series Event Type: Seminar SeriesSpeaker: Gerado Chowell-Puente, PhDContact Name: Mary AbosiContact Email: mabosi@emory.eduRoom Location: CNR PLAZA - Rollins AuditoriumTitle: A Methodological Workflow for Fitting and Forecasting with Dynamical Epidemic Models
  • Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Seminar October 17, 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Seminar Series Event Type: Seminar SeriesSpeaker: Siyu Zhou, PhDContact Name: Mary AbosiContact Email: mabosi@emory.eduRoom Location: CNR PLAZA - Rollins AuditoriumTitle: Global Quantile Learning with Censored Data Based on Random Forest
  • Introduction to Cognitively-Based Compassion Training® October 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Guest Lecture Event Type: Guest LectureSeries: HR Professional Development Series: Fall 2024Contact Name: Jean MeierContact Email: jmeier2@emory.eduLink: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nPsE4KSwT0K80DImBtXfOPufwV9bAnRGiK_RyXsvFx9UODdQRzdEWVUyN1dUVVVUUEZFWUQyMENJNSQlQCN0PWcuThis workshop will give a brief introduction to CBCT® (Cognitively Based Compassion Training), a secular method for training compassion. This presentation will provide a primer to the longer course which is available from the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based…

Follow Us on Social Media: