1st Year MPH: Allie Tuttle

For this week’s #IamEmoryEpi spotlight, we met up with Allie Tuttle!

Tell us a little bit about your academic history:

I went to Northwestern University where I majored in Biological Sciences and minored in Business Institutions.

What are your primary research interests?

I’m interested in cancer epidemiology, specifically the genetic and molecular side of the disease, which is why I’m pursuing the Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology certificate!

What were you up this this past summer?

This past summer I wrapped up my job at a biotech start-up called Tempus where I worked on the clinical data team. I did a lot of different things while I was there, but one of the coolest projects I was involved with was creating reports for “live” cancer patients currently receiving treatment for their disease. We worked with other teams to compile & analyze individual patient’s specific genetic mutations, prior treatments, and tumor characteristics. Based on that info we identified therapies they were most likely to respond to, and provided this information to their oncologists to inform future treatment decisions. My experience at that company is what inspired me to pursue my MPH at Rollins.

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

It’s been said before but I’ll say it again- the people! Emory has such a supportive environment. Everyone is incredibly welcoming and friendly, and there’s just a feeling that everyone from your peers to your professors really want to see you succeed.

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

Go for it!! I was debating if getting my MPH was the right decision up until I got here in August, but everything I’ve experienced since being at Emory has reassured me that it was!

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

I usually listen to The Daily from NYT every morning to stay up on general happenings & get an in-depth look at one story in the headlines that I may know nothing about (they recently did a series on the vaping epidemic- super interesting for epi people!) I’ve also started listening to a new podcast from NPR called Short Wave- it’s super short (10-15 mins) and covers a wide variety of topics that generally fall under the umbrella of “science.”

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

1. I’m obsessed with the Tiny Doors around Atlanta- I will find them all before I graduate
2. In college I had pet rats named Hodor & Scabbers
3. I played basketball at Northwestern (go ‘cats)