#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Baffour Otchere

Meet Baffour Otchere! Baffour is a second-year Epidemiology MPH candidate with research interests in chronic disease, infectious disease, and the intersection between these disease processes. In this feature, we’ll learn more about Baffour, his current projects with Dr. Schechter and Emory’s COVID-19 Outbreak Response Team, and his favorite part about RSPH. Read more below!

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

I received an MBCHB degree from the University of Ghana in 2016.

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

I am working with Dr. Marcos Schechter and a group of really motivated research assistants on a meta-analysis looking at the relationship between climate and the microbiological profile of diabetic foot infections. The second interesting project I am currently on is my thesis which is looking at the relationship between mental stress and cardiac arrhythmias. I am also a member of Emory’s COVID Outbreak Response Team.

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

My favorite part about earning my MPH at Emory is easily working with some of the smartest and most motivated students I have ever met.

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

Network as much as you can and take advantage of the varying opportunities at Rollins and Emory.

How have you been spending your free time?

In my free time, I watch and play soccer. I also recently started collecting sneakers.

If you currently live in Atlanta, what is one place that you would recommend people to visit?

I occasionally walk up Stone Mountain. I highly recommend it. It has nice hiking trails around the mountain as well.

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

1. I like discovering new music and curating playlists.
2. I have a love-hate relationship with my favorite soccer team, Manchester United.
3. Growing up, I wanted to be a soccer player.

Thanks for chatting with us, Baffour! Stay tuned next week for another feature of #WeAreEmoryEPI on the Confounder.