#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Afua Nyame-Mireku

Afua Nyame-Mireku is a second-year Global Epidemiology MPH candidate. Afua is passionate about research and interventions that aim to improve maternal and child health outcomes for Black birthing people. In this feature, she talks about her practicum with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, why she chose Rollins, and advice for first-year students. Read more about Afua below!

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

I went to undergrad at the University of Maryland College Park, where I studied Public Health Science and Women’s Studies. I was also in the Global Public Health Scholars program.

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

I’m very excited to be completing my practicum as a Graduate Student Epidemiology Program (GSEP) intern at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health/Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health! I am working with lived experience experts and stakeholders to develop several data-driven initiatives and evaluation plans aimed at reducing Black infant mortality in Philadelphia.

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

My favorite part about Emory is definitely the free food and beautiful campus! I spent a lot of last semester going to the free food truck events with friends and hanging out on campus.

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

I applied to Rollins because I was only interested in MPH programs that allowed me to have a focus in global health, epidemiology, and maternal and child health simultaneously. Luckily, I had the opportunity to go to Destination Public Health during the fall that I applied, and the kindness of the faculty and students sold me on Rollins.

What is your favorite class you have taken so far at Emory and why?

My favorite class so far was a course I took for my Maternal and Child Health certificate: Foundations of Maternal and Child Health. It was great to be in a class with people from different concentrations who are all interested in different aspects of MCH. Plus, all of the lectures were amazing!

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

Give yourself grace while you are learning new material and always reach out for help from classmates or professors when you need it! Studying with classmates, especially for the epi and bios classes, makes the work much less overwhelming.

How have you been spending your free time?

I’ve been spending my free time traveling with my friends and catching up on one of my favorite reality TV shows, Love Island!

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

1. My family is from Ghana, and it is a tradition for parents to name their child based on the day of week they were born. Afua is for girls born on Friday.

2. I love to dance, and I jump at any opportunity to go to a masterclass.

3. My go-to karaoke song is We Belong Together by Mariah Carey. And no, I cannot sing.

It was great to learn more about you, Afua! Check out The Confounder every Monday for a new spotlight on #WeAreEmoryEPI!

Interested in sharing your story with our Confounder community? Email confounder [at] emory [dot] edu and we’ll let you know how to get featured. We can’t wait to hear from you!