#InsideAPE: Sandra Amouzou and Georgia Department of Public Health

Sandra Amouzou is a rising-second year Global Epidemiology MPH candidate. This summer, she is working with Dr. Julie Gazmararian and the Georgia Department of Public Health to assess the effect of The Georgia Home Visiting Program on the Social Emotional Learning of their clients. Her primary interests include social factors that affect health, mental health, and social epidemiology. Read more about Sandra and her experience below!

Tell us about your APE project.

My APE project is working with Dr. Julie Gazmararian on one of her projects with the Georgia Department Public Heath (DPH) where we are assessing the effect of  The Georgia Home Visiting Program on the Social Emotional Learning of their clients. Phase one of the project will last until about December 2021. I am working with other investigators and students to develop our survey, coordinate with home visitors with finding clients to participate in the survey, and eventually will perform data analyses with results that we will present to those within DPH. I am currently working on our flyers and our IRB proposal to be sent in.

How did you find your APE project?

I found my APE from reaching out to Dr. Gazmararian throughout the semester. I really enjoyed her Social Epidemiology course in the fall and I emailed her to stay up to date. I contacted her when she sent out an invitation for students to work on some projects with her and it worked out perfectly!

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

In all honesty, I probably started looking earlier than necessary (February) but that was because I wanted to apply to as many options that seemed interesting to me. I finally committed to this APE in May, and started working that same month.

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

I am pursuing the socio-contextual determinants of health certificate and this worked perfectly with it. I submitted a form that related my project to my certificate and it was approved by our certificate supervisor.

What has the experience been like so far?

So far, working with our team as well as a local organization has taught me the importance of direct communication when it comes to tasks and project aims. I have enjoyed the learning moments, the warm environment that the investigators have provided, as well as the opportunity to learn more about programs being implemented in the state.

How have you been spending your free time this summer? 

I have been reading for fun (I’m a huge scifi fan so I just started a novel called the Midnight Library), spending time with my family and friends (movie nights), spending time outside, and searching out places for the best gelato (specifically pistachio because you wouldn’t believe how many places in Atlanta don’t carry this flavor!)

What are 3 fun facts that you want people to know about you?

Yikes, fun facts.

1. I speak 3 languages,

2. I still have my wisdom teeth

3. I hail from the land of corn (Iowa).

Thanks for speaking with us, Sandra! Stay tuned to The Confounder for our next InsideAPE feature.