#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Jasmine Aqua

Meet Jasmine Aqua! Jasmine is a second-year PhD student in the Epidemiology department. In this feature, she talks about her experience being a triple Eagle, her current projects, and some fun facts! Read more about Jasmine below. 

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

I’m a triple Eagle! I graduated from Emory University in 2015 with a BA in English and in 2017 with an MPH in Global Epidemiology. I worked for a few years as a tuberculosis epidemiologist at the Georgia Department of Public Health, and now I’m back for my PhD.

What are your primary research interests?

My research focuses on the intersection of social epidemiology and immigrant health. I’m interested in studying how immigrant experiences (migration, acculturation, racial discrimination, etc.) impact cardiometabolic outcomes through a stress pathway. I’m also interested in studying how immigration policies and documentation status impact health outcomes.

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

I’m working on a few exciting projects. Within our department, I’m working on a systematic review of U.S. acculturation and sleep health outcomes in immigrant populations with Dr. Dayna Johnson and a manuscript on acculturative stress and cardiometabolic outcomes in Puerto Rican youth with Dr. Shakira Suglia. Outside of our department, I’m working with Emory nursing school professors on a pilot study of Korean and Chinese immigrants in Atlanta and with an Emory Sociology professor on COVID-19 vulnerability among undocumented immigrants in California.

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

When applying for PhD programs, it was important to me that I felt connected to the program’s faculty and students and that my research interests were valued and supported. I was also looking for a school that was located within a diverse and vibrant community.

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

I love how Emory is so multidisciplinary – there are so many other departments, schools, institutes, etc. within the Emory umbrella that are doing great work and it’s really cool to collaborate across disciplines.

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

1. When I was in undergrad at Emory, I was a guard for our mascot Dooley!
2. I’ve been teaching at Freedom University, a freedom school for undocumented immigrants banned from higher education in Georgia, since 2017.
3. I’m obsessed with skincare products and my skincare routine is my favorite part of the day.

It was great getting to know you, Jasmine! Tune in next Monday to see who we feature next on #WeAreEmoryEPI.