Reintroducing ADAPs Noni Bourne and Farah Dharamshi

Last week we introduced our new EPI ADAP, Brenda, and this week we wanted to reintroduce you to our incredible current ADAPs! Noni and Farah are incredible resources for our students and we took the opportunity to learn more about their positions within the department in this week’s #WeAreEmoryEPI spotlight.

Where were you before coming to Rollins, and what attracted you most to the school?

Noni: I wanted to work at Emory, and RSPH in particular, because of the school’s reputation for excellence and because of the student-centered approach to education.

Farah: I have a bachelors in science (BS) in environmental studies from the University of Winnipeg (I’m Canadian!), I hold a masters in science and education (MSEd) in public health from the University of Toledo, and a juris master- JM (master in law) in global health law from Emory University. I was a director in the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Services for five years at the Emory University School of Law. 

What in particular made you want to become an ADAP for our department?

Noni: EPI is my favorite department ( ?) because of our department values.  The community that we have, the ways we interact, and the culture of integrity, ambition, rigor, collegiality and inclusion are truly present in our day-to-day interactions.

Farah: I have worked in consulting, and graduate medical education as director of medical education, working primarily with family practice residents. I have conducted research in childhood obesity, and interpersonal violence, and has presented numerous seminars on these topics along with early cognitive development, and women’s preventative health. I am also an active community volunteer, and serves as a principal and teacher on the weekends at an early childhood development center.

What are some examples of things you usually help students with, and some that are less well-known?

Noni: My usual interactions with students focus around course registration and advisement, APE and thesis advice.  The parts that are less well-known are the one-off questions that students come to me with.  If I don’t know the answer, I’ll help you find it!

Farah: The students I advise know a frequent mantra of mine this past year – “give yourself grace”, or “be kind to yourself”. This year has been tough, and I am so proud of our students for facing the continuous challenges with such aplomb. They have been on the front lines, they have dived into social, and public health causes and created new opportunities to participate and give back. There have also been so many students who have experienced loss, grief and too much pain. Grace, compassion and resilience are the cornerstones of how they have gotten through this past year.

What are your goals for working with students moving into the new academic year, as we hope to return to a sense of normalcy at Rollins?

Noni: I’m looking forward to learning more about my advisees and returning to the high energy and enthusiasm environment that we have on campus.

What is a hobby you’ve taken up during the pandemic?

Noni: Oh, I don’t have any hobbies per-se, but my go-to pandemic activities have been very elaborate games of hide-and-seek with my 5-year-old twins, lots of neighborhood walks, Netflix, and keeping (most of) my houseplants alive.

Farah: Running. Every. Single. Day. I have not missed a morning since last year.. I run very early in the morning and log an additional 15-25 miles over the weekends. This is not a “new” hobby, but it is something I have found more joy in. It has saved me this past year.

What are some books or podcasts you are enjoying right now?

Noni: I’m really enjoying escapist sci-fi.  I was recently sucked into The OA on Netflix and also dove into N.K. Jemisin’s books (highly recommend the Broken Earth series). 

Farah:

Podcasts – The Hidden Brain, Brené Brown Unlocking Us & Dare to Lead, On Being.

Books – A Promised Land, The Cost of Living, Caste, White Fragility, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race, The Body Keeps the Score, The Power of Now.

Did you have any other messages or resources you would like to share with students and prospective students?

Noni: Stop by my office hours, Mondays at 11am, I would love to say hi!

Thanks so much to Noni and Farah for chatting with us! Check back next week for another #WeAreEmoryEPI feature.

Meet new EPI department ADAP Brenda Lee Hardy

This month, Brenda is joining the Epidemiology department as the third ADAP, alongside Noni Bourne and Farah Dharamshi. We caught up with her in advance of her move to Rollins and chatted about her background and goals for her new position!

Where were you before coming to Rollins, and what attracted you most to the school?

I am in Albany New York and in the process of moving to Atlanta. I am looking forward to the nicer weather and to be near my grandchildren. I have heard many wonderful things about Emory.

What in particular made you want to become an ADAP for our department?

I enjoyed being the Academic Program Coordinator at another institution, and it required many of the same skills as the ADAP position. I like the combination of working with students and faculty and when I had my interviews, everyone was so welcoming. 

What are some examples of things you usually help students with, and some that are less well-known?

I help students choose classes and understand that a degree and career are not necessarily a straight path. I have been working with students for over 30 years and teaching for 15 years. In my previous position, I would build courses in Canvas as we were developing them, so faculty did not have to, and the courses had the same look and feel so students were comfortable with every online course.

What are your goals for working with students moving into the new academic year, as we hope to return to a sense of normalcy at Rollins?

I have a lot to learn and look forward to learning how I will fit in with the department and I am willing to help wherever needed. 

What is a hobby you’ve taken up during the pandemic?

I have crocheted since I was 4, but during the pandemic, I crocheted many blankets and donated them to the local county nursing home where the elderly often have no relatives.

What are some books or podcasts you are enjoying right now?

Between teaching, learning the new job, and packing so I can move, I have had little time.  I am looking forward to getting to Georgia.

Did you have any other messages or resources you would like to share with students and prospective students?

I look forward to meeting and working with you!

Thanks to Brenda for talking with us! We look forward to welcoming her to Rollins!

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet the 2020-2021 Communications Team

As the hiring process for the next Emory Epi communications team begins, we want to highlight the current members and their experience over the past year. Emma Butturini is tasked with The Confounder, Saarav Patel runs @rollinsepilife on Instagram, and I, Malay Mody, manage @EmoryEpi on Twitter. We responded to a few questions about our roles and the best parts of our jobs!

What is your role on the communications team and what does a typical work week look like for you?

Emma: I am an editorial associate so my main job is to update the Confounder website with job postings and events, and set up the weekly newsletter that gets sent out to students and alumni. I normally spend a little time every other day posting job opportunities as they are sent in by alumni or faculty, then on Sunday afternoons, I get the newsletter ready to be emailed out on Monday morning.

Saarav: My official title is “Social Media Associate,” and I primarily work with the Department of EPI Instagram account! In a typical week, I will go through emails and correspondence with faculty about events on campus, and think of which posts and stories I will be making for the week. I try to attend as many events I can, just so I can better advertise the events in the future. I have a planning process for the layout of the page that I follow pretty closely, too.

Malay: I am also a social media associate and I mainly handle the @EmoryEpi Twitter account! In a typical week, I will be sure to manage the Twitter DMs along with any mentions and other departmental or relevant university-wide news. I specifically try to focus on events at Rollins and the exciting work that the Epidemiology faculty and students are doing! I also am in charge of writing posts for our #WeAreEmoryEPI series on The Confounder, so I contact a featured student or alumnus weekly and put together the interview piece. 

How do you balance your work for the communications team with your other work and academic responsibilities?

E: I try to plan out my work for the week as much as possible and divide up any larger tasks or projects into smaller pieces so that I can space them out and check off a few things from my to-do list every day. This strategy has helped me a lot to balance school with my work at the Confounder and my REAL job over the past year.

S: I am very good at planning my days, so I try to allot a specific number of hours each week towards this position and keep work related to this job outside of those hours (responding to GroupMe’s, sharing stories from other Rollins accounts) to a minimum.

M: I try to have certain tweets and topics planned out from the beginning of the week so that I only have to keep up with news throughout the week. Given the busy nature of Twitter, this is only possible to a certain extent but it helps me ensure that I am able to provide consistent content without using all of my time during the week.

What new skills have you learned or further developed through your role?

E: I think the biggest thing I have learned is how to effectively tailor communications and content to the needs and interests of your audience, whether through writing articles highlighting student work, identifying opportunities for current students, or updating the website to improve user-friendliness.

S: I only had social media experience through my personal accounts prior to this role, and this job has allowed me to learn about social media insights and analytics. I also feel more connected with the RSPH EPI faculty, which is a huge plus.

M: In the past, I had never run a social media account with the specific aim of disseminating information and growing the only exposure of an organization. This role has taught me how to report academic findings and how to tailor posts to gain views and engagement.

What is the most interesting/rewarding part of your job?

E: The most rewarding of the job has been being able to help connect students to new opportunities and resources that help them during their MPH experience, and hopefully afterward.

S: I love being able to see and share all of the events that are happening on campus, and being able to disseminate that information feels really good. People tagging #WeAreEmoryEPI on their stories for us to share is also really cool.

M: I love when I post a tweet or a student spotlight that starts a conversation online between colleagues and friends. During such a tough year for everyone’s social lives and workplace communities, I like to think that we can help bridge the gap a little bit until we are all in-person again.

How does your work in this role fit with your overall personal/professional goals for your MPH?

E: This role has been very helpful to me because I am passionate about science communications and my work here has taught me a lot about thinking intentionally about who your audience is, what their needs are, and how to deliver information differently depending on what you want your readers to take away from a piece in the end.

S: In my opinion, most modern careers will incorporate some sort of technology/social media aspect; this job has allowed me to show that my skills are applicable to a public health position.

M: As a future physician-epidemiologist, it will be critical for me to be able to succinctly convey information in a digestible manner to my patients and colleagues. I think that my position specializing in Twitter is the perfect platform for this and will serve me well in my future profession.

What is your favorite part of working on the communications team?

E: Beyond my regular work, I have really enjoyed getting to work on several different projects for the website and having a lot of creative freedom for how to complete them. One of my favorite projects so far was writing an article series over the summer that highlighted the incredible work Emory EPI students were doing in different areas of local COVID-19 response.

S: My favorite part of working on this team is the flexibility. If there is a week that I need to be less present due to my academic schedule, I am able to easily convey that and work with my team to figure out a solution.

M: My favorite part of working on this team is the ability to work on my own time from anyplace. As graduate students, we are all extremely busy and pulled in several different directions but this job is the perfect way to stay engaged in the Emory Epidemiology community with your own schedule.

Is there any advice you would like to give to first years who might be interested in joining the team and working more closely with the department?  

E: My biggest piece of advice would be even if you are not as experienced with the platforms we use, as long as you are excited and willing to learn, you will be able to succeed and be a great contributor to the team! Getting to work with faculty and staff in the department is a really great opportunity, so if you are at all interested, I would say go for it and apply!

S: I’d recommend anyone for this job who has unique ideas for the Department’s social media presence. It is a really fun way to engage with faculty and staff, and allows you to develop and flex skills that are applicable to modern public health-related careers.

M: I’d unequivocally recommend that you apply for this job! There is so much you can learn regardless of which platform you’re in charge of, and you get to work on a fun, dedicated team as well!

Thank you for checking out this week’s #WeAreEmoryEPI, we were so excited to share our experiences and hope any first-year students will consider applying for a position with us! If interested, please apply by March 16 here for communications associate and here for social media associate.

#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Kyle Lester

Kyle Lester is a second-year Epi student doing research on HIV prevention and treatment, along with working on the COVID-19 Outbreak Response Team with Dr. Jodie Guest. He told us more about his current projects, his experience at Rollins, and some fun facts about himself! 

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

I initially entered the workforce after my freshman year of college and put myself through my undergrad while working full-time. I graduated from Georgia Southern University while working in healthcare for five years.

What are your primary research interests?

My research interests are HIV prevention and treatment. I specifically want to focus on MSM prevention methods and interventions, including PrEP and new injectable, long-term PrEP trials.

How have you been navigating the work (& learn) from home experience during the COVID-19 outbreak?

During the COVID-19 outbreak, I’ve been navigating the working from home experience by making sure to establish a work-life balance. I’ve devoted specific days and hours towards my academic life while making sure to schedule in time for my personal life and going off the grid. I find that establishing a schedule has been extremely beneficial to keep up with my mental health and my progress on the right path. I think while there are always exceptions, maintaining a regimen and consistent schedule has proven to be extremely effective in getting me through these bizarre times.

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

The most exciting project I’m working on right now happens to be the COVID-19 Outbreak Response Team at Emory. It’s a team that consists of eight of my classmates and myself, led by Dr. Jodie Guest. We have worked all throughout the summer, and continue to work in providing COVID-19 testing, education, and community outreach to underserved communities in Georgia. We have provided over a thousand COVID-19 tests to members of our community, and continue building strong partnerships with the faces behind all those numbers we see on PowerPoint slides.

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

My favorite part about earning my MPH at Emory is the real world experience our professors bring to the classroom. We are so fortunate to have professors that have practiced exactly what they teach and can provide us with relevant, up-to-date information and experience that will shape our education and careers.

What advice do you have for 1st year MPH Students?

My advice for first-year MPH students is simple: relax, take a deep breath, and pursue your passions. Public Health is one of the greatest fields to work in, and whatever your passion is, you need to pursue it, because there will always be people in need of your help. Don’t worry as much about your degree, and focus more on what you are going to do with it once you graduate. The relationships and partnerships you build now are going to impact you greatly in your future.

What books are you currently reading, or what podcasts are you currently listening to?

The newest book I just started is The Ghost Map, which is about the cholera outbreak in Victorian London. It focuses on the 1854 cholera outbreak, which involved the work of John Snow, one of our founders of epidemiology. The book to me is interesting because it involves good old fashioned disease detectives and the origin of modern epidemiology as we know it.

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

Three fun facts that I want people to know about me would be, I’m going to go to Tokyo for the Summer Olympics next year, I’ve almost been to every state, and I love sour beers!

Thanks again to Kyle for chatting with us this week! Tune in next week for another #WeAreEmoryEPI spotlight!

#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet Paige Harton

Paige is a second-year Master’s student interested in emerging infectious diseases and public health preparedness, and during the pandemic she has been working with Dr. Allison Chamberlain. We chatted with her about her project with Dr. Chamberlain and more!

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

I graduated from Kansas State University in December 2015 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. I currently am second year EPI MPH student planning to graduate this coming May.

What are your primary research interests?

I am primarily interested in emerging infectious diseases and public health preparedness.

How have you been navigating the work (& learn) from home experience during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Having a designated study space in my apartment has really helped adjust to the primarily remote working and learning environment. I also make a concerted effort to talk a walk in the park near our apartment as many days as possible.

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

I am currently working with Dr. Allison Chamberlain on a survey of Georgians regarding their perceptions of masks, testing, and a potential COVID-19 vaccine. I am excited to analyze this data for my thesis project!

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

From the faculty and staff to the fellow students I have gotten to know, the people have truly been the best part of my experience at Emory. The collaborative environment has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

What advice do you have for 1st year MPH Students?

Try everything! If you think you may be interested in something, try it out! You won’t know until you do, and it could lead you to pursue a career in a focus area you hadn’t previously considered.

What books are you currently reading, or what podcasts are you currently listening to? 

I have just started “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens, and I am usually catching up on the “Crime Junkie” podcast.

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

1) My husband, Gordon, and I adopted an Australian Shepherd puppy named Duke at the beginning of the pandemic!

2) I love to bake, especially when I’m stressed. So if you’re in the market for baked goods, I’m your girl.

3) I’m left-handed, and in my immediate family 3/6 of us are left-handed.

Thanks again to Paige for introducing herself! Check back next week for another #WeAreEmoryEPI feature!

#WeAreEmoryEpi: Meet Paul Elish

Paul Elish is a second-year MPH student interested in chronic disease and spatial epi. He told us more about the research projects is involved in both stateside and internationally, along with his favorite parts about studying at Rollins and his hobbies during the pandemic months!

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

I did my undergrad degree at Yale with a double major in Latin American Studies and biology.

What are your primary research interests?

I’m interested in chronic disease epidemiology, spatial epi, and implementation science. I really enjoy exploring the intersection between public health and sociology.

How have you been navigating the work (& learn) from home experience during the COVID-19 outbreak?

I’ve been finding new ways to stay connected with friends. Some favs: doing New Yorker crosswords on partner mode and doing a workout challenge that a friend and I turned into a virtual board game. Also, shoutout to my amazing, unstoppable Rollins Biketober team 😀

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

I’m excited about my thesis with my faculty mentor, Julie Gazmararian, that’s exploring associations between physical activity and academic achievement among elementary schoolers in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Gwinnett is extremely interesting because of its incredible diversity and importance as a political swing county. I’ve also had the opportunity to conduct interesting analyses for the spatial epi and bias analysis courses I’m currently taking, including a spatial analysis on COVID dynamics in Peru.

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

The Epi Department has done a great job creating an integrated epi/biostats sequence; it has been rewarding to watch our epi courses build off of each other. Also, I’ve loved getting to know amazing people across all of Rollins’ departments.

What advice do you have for 1st year MPH Students?

One of the great things about Emory is how it has so many different rigorous academic offerings, so I recommend that first-year MPH students consider exploring Emory’s other schools. I honed my French in an undergrad French class during my first semester, and it was a great way to strengthen a skill while connecting with a completely different part of Emory.

What books are you currently reading, or what podcasts are you currently listening to?

I’m about halfway through “The Old Drift,” a novel set in Zambia from the early 20th century to the present. It’s especially interesting to read because I spent a year working at the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia before coming to Rollins. It’s long, but the author does a great job weaving together characters from Zambia’s many ethnic groups.

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

(1) I developed a love of backpacking over the summer and really enjoyed exploring trails in Georgia and North Carolina.

(2) History has always been one of my favorite subjects, so a great way to distract me is to talk to me about something like the French Revolution, old Japanese novels, or the history of Atlanta.

(3) Last night I got chased by a wild turkey while biking near my house in Atlanta. A great, mildly-scary-but-mostly-funny reminder that Atlanta really is a city in the forest!

Thanks to Paul for taking the time to give us a peek at his background and interests! Tune back in next week for another #WeAreEmoryEPI student spotlight!