#WeAreEmoryEPI: Meet Martha Sheets

Meet Martha Sheets! Martha is a second-year Global Epidemiology MPH candidate. Their interests include Queer Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Maternal and Child Health, and Family Planning. In this feature, Martha talks about what projects they’ve been working on, advice for first-years, and how they’ve been spending their free time! Read more below. 

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

I graduated from undergrad in 2020 with a B.S. in Cognitive Science Neuroscience and minors in Global Health and Dance.

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

Opportunities to engage with the greater community surrounding the school, collaborative atmosphere, application centered courses.

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

I really appreciate how supportive and encouraging the professors are both in and out of the classroom. I’ve had the opportunity of engaging with teachers outside of the classroom setting and they are always so eager to help you find your way in public health and in the grand scheme of your life goals.

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

I am currently working at PRISM Health (Programs and Research in Sexual Minority Health) on the Transpire study, which is a study specifically designed to support transmasculine individuals in HIV prevention through a mobile based app where participants can get sexual health information, order testing kits and various sexual health products, and other features. I am particularly excited about working in sexual health for queer/trans populations both because I am queer and the needs of LGBTQ+ communities must be better understood to improve quality of care. I am also working in the OBGYN Department of the Emory School of Medicine on the Contraceptive Hormones, Immunity, and Microbiome Evaluation (CHIME) study, which evaluates hormonal contraception in cis-women and its effect on the immune system and microbiome.

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

Introduce yourself to professors and don’t be afraid to ask if they have any work opportunities! Networking is one of the best things about Rollins and the professors have so much knowledge and experience to share if you just initiate!

How have you been spending your free time? 

I like to choreograph dances in my spare time, or take online dance classes! I also just started learning the ukulele and painting again, which is a great de-stressor from homework

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

Tubing on the Chattahoochee river!

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

1. My older sister and I were both adopted from Shanghai, China
2. I’ve lived in 9 states in the U.S.
3. One of my favorite albums of all time is Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe.

Thanks for talking with us, Martha! Tune in every Monday for a new feature of #WeAreEmoryEPI.