#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Brady Bennett

Meet Brady Bennett! Brady is a second-year doctoral student interested in the intersection of infectious disease and social epidemiology. He is specifically interested in the socio-political and socio-demographic factors that place persons at higher risk of HIV infection and morbidity and mortality due to HIV. To learn more about Brady, his current projects, and what drove him to Rollins, continue reading below!

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

I completed my BS in Biochemistry at Berry College in Rome, GA (2010) followed by my MPH in Global Health and Epidemiology at Brown University in Providence, RI (2015).

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

I’m currently working on a very interesting project looking at disparities in PrEP uptake among women in the United States and another project researching SARS-CoV-2 vaccine uptake among veterans receiving care at the VA.

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

When applying for doctoral programs I was really interested in schools that would couple faculty with experience and research in my area of interest with the requisite courses and reputation to help me meet my goals. Rollins has all of these – my advisors are top of their field and are incredible mentors; the courses are challenging but are teaching me the skills I need; and the school is now #4 in the nation and respected world-wide!

What advice do you have for prospective doctoral students?

Talk to potential advisors/faculty mentors as well as current students. The faculty can give you a good idea of how your research interests line up with theirs, the available data/resources, etc, and the students can give you an honest idea of the department culture, living in the institution’s city, etc.

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

My cohort! They are some of the kindest, hardest working people I have ever met and I feel so fortunate to get to do my PhD alongside them!

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

Spatial Epi (EPI 563) with Dr. Michael Kramer. First, he is just a fantastic professor, but the content was also super interesting. I’ve always loved the idea of “visualizing” public health, but that course taught me so much about how to do that, when it is important to, and how to incorporate it into my analyses.

How have you been spending your free time?

With the free time I have, I generally run, read, watch true crime shows with my wife, listen to podcasts, visit local coffee shops/breweries. 

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

I can’t pick one! I’d visit any of the local breweries if that’s your thing (personal favorite is Three Taverns), Perc Coffee, Brash Coffee, Refuge Coffee, Botanical Gardens, High Museum…too many to list!

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

1. I run way too much (I’ve run races from 400m (HS) – 50 miles (2014) and am completing my 5th marathon on 11/14!)
2. I once drove from Atlanta to Seattle living only on bagels and peanut butter
3. I’ve run on 4 different continents so far and hope to complete all 7 one day

Thanks for talking with us, Brady! The Confounder team is wishing everyone a great spring semester. Tune in next Monday for another feature of #WeAreEmoryEPI.