#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Sofia Oviedo!

Meet Sofia Oviedo! She is a second-year MPH Candidate in the Epidemiology program. She joined our department from Texas A&M University and shared with us some of her experiences here at Rollins. Read more below!

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

I graduated in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Texas A&M University.

What are your primary research interests?

My primary research interests are health services research, social epidemiology, chronic diseases, and health inequities. Systemic issues that affect social determinants of health play a significant role in access to quality and affordable healthcare in the United States, so I’m particularly interested in identifying barriers among those who need routine care.

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

Yes! I’m working with the American Cancer Society on a project examining the association between Medicaid expansion and changes in employment among cancer survivors. I am also working with Emory School of Medicine’s Health Services Research Center on a pilot grant looking at the impact of an electronic referral system for patients needing a kidney transplant on decreasing barriers to transplant.

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

The collaborative environment! The students and the faculty are so supportive and want to see you succeed. Faculty are very open to talking about your interests and connecting you with other faculty if they–for whatever reason–can’t help you, and students are supportive of one another.

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

I was looking for a school with a supportive, non-competitive environment that fit my research interests that was also in proximity to public health organizations where I could gain work experience. Rollins checked all the boxes.

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

I really enjoyed EPI 543 (Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology), taught by Dr. Amit Shah. I loved hearing researchers present their work on cardiovascular disease, and it was great to realize that there are so many diverse topics related to cardiovascular disease and public health.

How have you been spending your free time?

When the leaves were changing colors, I loved to go to Lullwater Preserve near campus to walk and see the different colors of the trees.

What is one place that you would recommend people visit (hiking location, restaurant, coffee shop, museum, neighborhood, etc.)?

Little Bangkok on Cheshire Bridge Rd has outstanding Thai and Chinese food! 10/10 recommend

What advice do you have for 1st years?

Keep your mind open to new topics and take classes in unfamiliar areas. You may find that you’re interested in them!

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

1. I love to read science fiction and fantasy books.
2. My favorite sports team is the Houston Rockets.
3. I love to listen to music and make playlists.

Thanks for talking to us, Sofia! Please tune in next week to see who we talk to next!

#InsideAPE: Meet Kayleigh Nerhood!

Meet Kayleigh Nerhood! She is a second-year MPH Candidate in Global Epidemiology who worked with a resettled refugee community in Clarkston, Georgia. Let’s hear about how she got her APE and some advice she has for students.

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

I got my Bachelor of Science in Biology at Marshall University in West Virginia.

What are your primary research interests?

My primary research interests are infectious disease epidemiology, especially respiratory diseases. I also have a research interest in outbreak and emergency preparedness and response.

Tell us about your APE project.

I am working on a qualitative research study through the Emory Global Health Insitute (EGHI) Field Scholars Award Program that aims to understand the state of disaster preparedness of the resettled refugee community in Clarkston, Georgia. This summer, we did interviews with a variety of community organizations and leaders. We are now working on analyzing these interviews to share our findings with the community.

How did you find your APE project?

I attended the EGHI Field Scholars Award Networking Night last fall, where I learned about the project. I emailed the primary investigator right after the event to express my interest, had an interview, and was invited to join the team!

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

I started looking for an APE in about November last year and began working on my APE that December. I started so quickly because we needed to prepare for the EGHI Field Scholars Award application that was due early in the spring semester.

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

I am pursuing the Complex Humanitarian Emergencies Certificate. I was fortunate that my project aligned well with the certificate APE requirements, so it was not difficult to get my APE approved.

What has the experience been like so far?

It has been a great experience! I have learned so much about all the steps involved in designing and carrying out a research study. I have also been able to add qualitative research skills to my quantitative skills from epidemiology and biostatistics courses. It’s also been amazing to get to know the other students on my team, and I’ll always be thankful to my APE for bringing me these friendships!

How have you been spending your free time this summer? Anything interesting you’re doing?

My family took our two dogs to the beach this summer, the first time for both of them! They loved running around in the sand and playing in the waves.

Any advice for people looking for an APE?

Attend networking events! It’s a great way to learn about many exciting projects and research and see if you may enjoy working with the teams!

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

1. I was born in Atlanta, but I hadn’t lived here before since I was a year old.
2. In my free time, I love to crochet.
3. To destress, I attend group fitness classes at Emory’s gym. The instructors and classes are fantastic. Go check them out!

Thanks for talking with us, Kayleigh! Tune in next week to see who we talk to next.

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Mundayi Nlandu!

Meet Mundayi Nlandu! She is a second-year MPH student interested in maternal and child health! Read more about her here!

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

I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Xavier University in 2016. I also obtained a Graduate Certificate in Business Foundations at the University of Cincinnati in 2020.

What are your primary research interests?

My primary research interests are in maternal and child health, reproductive health, women’s health, nutrition, and chronic disease.

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

Yes! I am currently working with the Global Fortification Data Exchange (GFDx) under the supervision of Dr. Helena Pachon to produce a manuscript reviewing and analyzing updated mandatory country-food fortification legislation, standards, and monitoring documents for maize flour, oil, rice, salt, and wheat flour. The idea is that the resource (manuscript) may eventually offer some guidance for food fortification programs globally.

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

My favorite part about earning this degree at Emory is the passion, dedication, and rigor of the faculty, students, and the various courses. It inspires me to keep elevating as a public health professional.

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

Rollins was my top pick because of the location, opportunities, and alignment of research interests through the different courses provided and the faculty.

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

I am currently taking EPI 516 (Issues in Women’s Health), which is eye-opening! The different speakers in each class keep it very engaging, and the students’ questions are posted at the end of each class. Overall, I think it’s interesting to see the overlap in the categories across the various topics. For example, we discussed hormones related to diet and exercise, hormonal replacement therapy, and osteoporosis.

What is one place that you’d recommend people to visit?

A cute restaurant I’d recommend is Folk Art!

What advice do you have for 1st years?

Pace yourself, have grace for yourself, enjoy the journey, and know that you will get through every semester. Also, find accountability classmates or study partners that check in with you, and vice versa, as this may help you stay motivated and focused during the more hectic weeks you’ll encounter.

What are three fun facts about you?

1. I love parks.
2. I enjoy watching documentaries or series based on a true story.
3. I love listening to music, especially soca and afrobeats.

Thanks for talking with us, Mundayi! Tune in next week to see who we talk to next!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Jeffrey Osei!

Meet Jeffrey Osei! Jeffrey is a second-year MPH candidate in Epidemiology, and he is from Ghana. We caught up with Jeffrey to share more about what he’s doing here at Rollins, his experience, and his advice for 1st years.

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

I had my medical training in Ghana between 2011 and 2017. I am a proud alumnus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) – School of Medicine and Dentistry.

What are your primary research interests?

I am interested in genomics and clinical research in cardiovascular disease. Genomics is so informative and helpful for clinically managing various inherited cardiovascular diseases. Also, ensuring that we put out safe and effective treatments is important to me, especially since I worked directly with patients in Ghana.

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

I am currently working on many interesting projects with Dr. Amit Shah, a cardiologist and a professor at Rollins. Most of our projects involve using devices such as smartwatches, portable patches, and handheld electrocardiogram devices to track participants’ health (primarily physiological data). For example, we hope to find the relationship between brain activities and cardiovascular outcomes such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and heart attack.

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

An MPH provides a better understanding of how social, economic, and cultural issues may affect people, and we tend to focus on improving the quality of care for all communities. Everyone at Rollins has the same passion for improving health outcomes for everyone, and the research we are doing here will have such an enormous impact. Also, getting an MPH has helped me become more well-rounded in healthcare, allowing me to become a better physician.

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

After going through the top 5 schools in the US, I really looked into the work being done at each school. I wanted the chance to gain more experience in research, and I also looked into the careers and research opportunities that students were able to participate in. Rollins has projects and faculty that I could learn a lot from.

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

My favorite class has been Dr. Binongo’s BIOS 500 class (Statistical Methods I). Biostatistics and epidemiology have a close relationship, with both fields trying to take a quantitative approach to solve complicated problems. As epidemiologists, we study the distribution, patterns, and trends in disease and determinants of health, and the numbers we get undergo a lot of statistical analysis to affirm their significance. Dr. Binongo taught us how to properly communicate those numbers with confidence, and he has a personality that made learning with him fun. I’m even taking another class taught by him.

As an international student, how has your experience at Rollins been so far? How has the department supported your success here?

When I first got here, everything was new to me. I was frightened and excited at the same time. I wasn’t sure if I could thrive in this weather, make new friends here, and live in harmony with everyone on campus. But, it turned out that RSPH had big plans for international students who had moved to the US for the first time. We had many opportunities to meet and chat with people from diverse backgrounds. I learned there were other people who, like me, were even more nervous and eager to meet new friends. As an international student, I have received much support from the EPI department and RSPH. I can confidently say that RSPH is my new home, far away from home!

How have you been spending your free time?

I pass through ALL RSPH events/meetings. There is always something happening, and students have the chance to be exposed to so much here. Also, events on campus are a great source of free food!

What advice do you have for 1st years?

Manage your time well and network with your professors! “Charity begins at home,” and so does networking. Start with your professors and classmates, and they will help shape a path for you!

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

1. I love being outdoors, such as playing soccer or hanging out with friends.
2. I love food, so long as it treats my tastebuds well.
3. I love to dance.

Thanks for talking with us, Jeffrey! Join us next week to see who we speak to next!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Sabrina Chow!

Meet Sabrina Chow! Sabrina is a second-year MPH candidate in our Environmental Health and Epidemiology program. She shared with us some of her experiences at Rollins.

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

I graduated in May 2021 from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA, with two Bachelors of Science, one in Biology and the other in Health: Science, Society, and Policy (essentially, Brandeis’s public health major). 

What are your primary research interests?

My primary research interest is studying how environmental factors affect health outcomes in vulnerable populations. I am particularly interested in exploring how air pollution and social and environmental determinants accentuate these outcomes, using exposure assessment and epidemiologic methods.

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

Yes! I am working on a project with some professors in the Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health on a mission with NASA. The mission–the Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (MAIA) investigation–is the first NASA-funded mission that seeks to understand how different types of air pollution affect human health. I am specifically helping with field sampling and supporting field operators worldwide.

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

My favorite part about Emory is the collaboration between students and faculty, and how inclusive the Rollins/Emory community has been. I’ve been able to form strong relationships with my faculty and peers, who have been a huge support for me in my endeavors.

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

I really appreciated having faculty reach out directly to me, offering to chat about my interests, while I was making my decisions and the research opportunities that were available at Rollins.

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

Not specifically a favorite class, but I have really loved the toxicology classes that I’ve taken. EH 520 is Human Toxicology, and EHS 740 is Molecular Toxicology. I think I really loved the classes because the professor Dr. Mike Caudle made the class engaging and the topic exciting. Being able to learn about applied toxicology in the public health world has really helped me better understand the role that toxicology plays in environmental health.

How have you been spending your free time?

I really love hiking around Georgia. I would highly recommend getting a state park pass to explore all the nature that the state has to offer!

What advice do you have for 1st years?

Be open and willing to see everything that Rollins has to offer. We are one of the biggest public health programs in the country, so the opportunities are really endless. Take your time to take everything in before you narrow down an area that you want to settle in, because there may be something out there that you don’t even know you love yet!

Do you have any additional advice for prospective public health students?

Reach out to current students go gain their perspective on Rollins and ask questions! And don’t be afraid to reach out to faculty either. You can also visit rollinsambassadors.com, if you want to be connected with one of the great student ambassadors.

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

1. I love doing community service work at Rollins and in the metro Atlanta area.
2. I’m a “professional” photographer.
3. I love to travel.

Thanks for talking with us, Sabrina! We can’t wait to introduce you to the next person part in our department!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Kelly Falcone!

Meet Kelly Falcone! She is a second-year MPH Candidate in Environmental Health and Epidemiology. Last month, she shared with us the wide variety of topics she’s interested in and explores through her time at Rollins.

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

I was a Public Health major and Environmental Studies minor at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. I came to Rollins right after I finished my undergraduate degree.

What are your primary research interests?

I’m interested in One Health, infectious disease, climate change, and health communications. My interest in infectious disease focuses primarily on foodborne and enteric diseases. I’ve had the opportunity to explore my wide variety of interests through classes at Rollins and my APE.

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

I’m wrapping up my two APE(s) right now! This summer, I was a communications assistant with two organizations: the Global Fortification Data Exchange (GFDx) and the CDC’s One Health office. I spent the summer developing social media content for each and analyzing social media data to improve communications strategies while learning more about One Health and how food fortification can help reduce micronutrient deficiencies.

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

I’ve been able to get involved with so many organizations both on and off campus. For example, I’m part of the Rollins Student Government Association (RSGA), RSPH Admissions Ambassadors, and Emory Students for One Health. Being part of these organizations has helped to enhance my experience as a Rollins student.

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

I really valued the ability to gain work experience while pursuing my MPH since I did not take time off between leaving Furman and coming to Rollins. I knew Rollins had a lot of strong connections with organizations in Atlanta, so ultimately, the ability to gain valuable work experience throughout my time at Rollins was why I chose to attend.

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

My favorite class at Rollins has been GH 580 (Control of Food and Waterborne Diseases). I took this in the January term, a pre-term session of the spring semester. We had so many guest speakers, and it was really cool to learn about their field experience and to hear from experts on a variety of topics. This is a topic I’m most passionate about, and I feel like I learned a lot even though it was only a week-long course!

How have you been spending your free time?

This summer, I’ve been by the pool, exploring the Beltline, attending concerts, and reading. (I have a few mysteries and thrillers if you’re looking for any.)

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

1. I love to read mysteries and thrillers.
2. Scrapbooking is one of my favorite hobbies.
3. I just became an aunt this summer!

What advice do you have for 1st years?

Be kind to yourself! Graduate school can sometimes feel overwhelming, but remember that you are capable and deserve to be here!

Thanks for talking with us, Kelly! Join us next week to see who we speak to next!

#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet Imari Genias!

Meet Imari Genias! She is a second-year MPH Candidate in Global Epidemiology with an interest in disease surveillance and non-communicable diseases.

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

I graduated from Duke University in 2019 with a B.S. in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Visual & Media Studies.

What are your primary research interests?

I don’t want to be a researcher per se, but I am interested in disease surveillance and non-communicable diseases. Much of what we are able to do in public health is influenced by how well we monitor disease.

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

I am currently doing an internship with Leidos for a CDC project. I am working in the Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance at the CDC to manage healthcare organizations using electronic case reporting (eCR).

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

Emory has a lot of resources available for students to grow professionally.

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

I wanted a school with a lot of opportunities for students to gain real-world experience. I also wanted to stay in Georgia. Emory met both requirements.

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

My favorite has been BIOS 500 with Jose Binongo. I like statistics and really enjoyed his personality. I even worked for him as a TA in the Spring and will continue doing so this fall semester.

What is one fond memory you’ve had at Rollins thus far?

Most of my friends are in my classes with me, so I enjoy getting to spend time with them. I don’t have a particular memory, but I enjoy working alongside them in class.

What advice do you have for 1st years?

Establish a good support group. It makes your experience (socially, academically, etc.) much easier.

How have you been spending your free time?

I play video games on my Nintendo Switch, and I try to get caught up on TV shows during the school year. (Watch the Bear on Hulu!)

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

1. I’m allergic to shellfish, but I love eating shrimp and crab.
2. I studied abroad in Australia for a month.
3. I spent 7 months of my gap year after college volunteering in Guatemala. I had 12 hours to leave on the day I left because of the pandemic.

Thanks for talking with us, Imari! Join us next week to see who we speak to next!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Erica Johnson!

Meet Erica Johnson! She is a second year MPH Candidate in Epidemiology who tries to look at the intersection of microbiology, mathematics and machine learning.

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

I did my undergraduate degrees at Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. I received two Bachelors of Science in Microbiology and Mathematics.

What are your primary research interests?

I am interested in studying the intersection of microbiology, mathematics, and machine learning techniques in the space of public health. I would like to bring these areas of study together and look at how we can better make predictions of future outbreaks.

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

I have just started working on my thesis project in the Lopman lab under the guidance of Carol Liu. The project involves assessing the correlation between changes in self-reported and cell phone geolocated mobility using two large datasets. With this projevt, I am hoping to refine my programming and biostatistics skills as well as potentially making use of machine learning techniques.

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

My favorite part about earning my MPH at Emory has been its close proximity to the CDC, as well as the diverse and complex experiences of both the other students in Rollins as well as the professors that teach here.

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

One of the main things I was looking for in a public health school was what careers and furhter research opportunities their graduates were able to take on. I was also very interested in a more biostatistics and programming-focused MPH curriculum. Both of these things lead me to choosing Rollins out of the multiple MPH programs I was accepted into.

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

I have two favorite classes at Rollins so far!

1. Applied Machine Learning: This class was taught by Dr. Max Lau, who really inspired my drive to learn more about this topic. Taking this class inspired me to look into PhD programs that use machine learning techniques in the public health space.
2. Field Epidemiology was a one-week immersive class taught by Dr. Anne Spaulding the week before the spring semester began. During this class, I had the chance to learn from current Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers and officials who really brought the information and materials that they learned at Rollins into their real world experiences.

What advice do you have for 1st years?

The time you spend at Rollins will be shorter than you think, so take advantage of everything you can while you are here. When you’re here, try to find the topic or subject that you find exciting and pursue that! And most importantly, talk to everyone that you can! Nothing beats hearing firsthand about a subject/topic from someone that has spent a large chunk of their life researching/doing it!

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

1. I’m an Irish twin! My younger brother Matthew was born about 11 months after me.
2. I’ve worked in the clinical research space both as a clinical research coordinator and a regulatory coordinator for clinical and investigator-run trials for about four years now.
3. I currently have two dogs, Bryanna and Daisy, who are the joy of my life.

Thanks for talking with us, Erica! Don’t forget to join us next week to see who we meet next!

#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet Diego Cruz!

Meet Diego Cruz! He is a second-year Epidemiology MPH Candidate that has an interest in disease prevention. Read more about him below!

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

I attended the University of Texas at San Antonio, where I received a Bachelor of Science in Community Health with a concentration in prevention science. I also had the opportunity to attend the UT Health Science Center School of Public Health as an accelerated 4+1 undergraduate student.

What are your primary research interests?

I’m interested in PrEP uptake in Latinx and Black communities and examining the intersectionality between trauma-informed care and HIV care outcomes.

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

I currently work as a graduate research assistant in Dr. Natalie Crawford’s PrEP UP Pharmacies study. I specifically help with the implementation of a culturally appropriate pharmacy PrEP delivery model and examine its feasibility and acceptability among Black MSM (men who have sex with men) living in high-poverty or racial minority neighborhoods. I am also a phlebotomist for the Hope2Action study with Drs. Ameeta Kalokhe and Jessica Sales, where we examine the effects of trauma/violence on HIV care engagement and viral suppression with the goal of developing a screening tool for Ryan White HIV clinics.

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

Having the opportunity to engage with the faculty and my cohort at Rollins has been my favorite part of earning my MPH at Emory. Learning from experts in the field of public health has been both a humbling and exciting experience to embark on.

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

I chose Rollins because of the unwavering amount of support, career opportunities, and sense of connectedness between the students and faculty at Emory.

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

1. I know how to play the violin.
2. My mom is deaf and taught me American Sign Language!
3. I’m a certified phlebotomist!

It was great getting to know you, Diego! Don’t forget to join us next time as we introduce another member of Emory EPI!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Erin LaFon

Meet Erin LaFon! Erin is one of the epidemiology department’s two student representatives. Erin is a rising second year Epidemiology MPH Candidate with interests in zoonotic and emerging infectious disease. Erin’s role as a student representative gives students the chance to voice their feedback on student life and their experienes at RSPH. We took the opportunity to get to know her, her interests and what she’s doing this summer.

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

I completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University in 2018, and then I completed a Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine with a concentration in Veterinary Forensics from the University of Florida in 2021.

What are your primary research interests?

My primary research interests are zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases.

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

I’m looking at the phylogenetics of Powassan Virus for my thesis. I’m also working with Emory’s School of Medicine on a database that looks at “long-hauler” neurologic symptoms as a result of COVID-19 and another project dealing with Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

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

It has definitely been the connections that I’ve made with other students across all the departments.

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

One of the biggest factors for me was the proximity to Florida. My family is there, and being in Georgia allows for me to travel home for holidays easily.

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

EPI 544 (Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases) was great! It was super interesting to listen to guest lectures and learn about all the different diseases. The course is taught by two CDC employees, and it was really great to hear about their careers.

What advice do you have for 1st years?

Get involved in something. It makes grad school more fun, and it lets you meet more people in other departments.

How have you been spending your free time?

I’ve been spending it reading, hiking and travelling.

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

I definitely recommend making the drive to Tallulah Gorge if you like hiking! It was a great experience!

What are three fun facts that you’d like people to know about you?

1. I have two dogs, two snakes, a leopard gecko, and a bunny that all live in Georgia with me.
2. I lived in St. Kitts and Nevis for a few months.
3. I used to breed ball pythons, leopard geckos, and crested geckos.

Thanks for talking with us, Erin! Tune in next time to meet the next student that we introduce!