SER is committed to increasing the diversity of its membership and supporting an inclusive environment for everyone. We strive to promote the inclusion of faculty and students from diverse backgrounds, geographic areas, beliefs and orientations. Our large-scale initiative, SERvisits, was developed with this mission in mind. SERvisits mutually engages epidemiologists and epidemiologists-in-training in the Society by having highly regarded SER researchers visit a diverse range of institutions, and having these institutions then choose individuals from under-represented backgrounds to attend the annual SER meeting. SER is grateful for the funding provided through the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation which allows for more than 60 individuals to participate in the 2023 SERvisits program. Researchers from the Health Equity Scholars for Action participate in each SERvisit and are invited to attend the SER meeting to continue engaging relationships with researchers from a diverse range of institutions.
2023 Events:
Georgia State University
Event Date: March 22, 2023
Matthew Fox is a Professor in the Departments of Epidemiology and Global Health at Boston University. Read more
Located in the heart of Atlanta at one of the America’s most innovative and diverse research universities, the Georgia State University School of Public Health educates practitioners and thought leaders while engaging in research and outreach that addresses urgent health challenges and promotes health equity. The Georgia State SPH offers a range of CEPH-accredited degree programs, from a bachelor’s degree in public health to an MPH in six concentrations, a PhD in four concentrations and a DrPH program for professionals in the field. Our research and community engagement have been funded with $21 million in external funding over the past year alone, with areas of emphasis that include applied biostatistics and epidemiologic methodology; cancer, chronic disease epidemiology, and social determinants; infectious diseases; and tobacco, alcohol and other substance use, among others. To learn more visit publichealth.gsu.edu.
I am GSU PhD student at the school of public health. My research interest is infectious diseases, health data statistical analysis and data science. I have industrial programming and computational background.
Amanda Bleichrodt is a doctoral student and Second Century Initiative (2CI) Fellow under the big data cluster in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Georgia State University. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Miami University (Ohio) in 2020 and received an MPH from The Ohio State University in 2022. Her interests lie in exploring diverse modeling methodologies for forecasting disease outbreaks and developing user-friendly forecasting tools. Most recently, she has been conducting real-time weekly forecasts for the Mpox epidemic, with over 1000 forecasts produced thus far.
Arshya Gurbani is a PhD student in Epidemiology at Georgia State University and a Health Specialist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Her background is in health communication, and her current research interest lies at the intersection of epidemiologic methods, chronic disease prevention, and data for advocacy. Arshya is grateful for the opportunity to connect with and learn from other public health practitioners at SER this June!
I am a first-year epidemiology doctoral student at Georgia State University (GSU). Before beginning my doctoral studies, I completed an M.S. in biostatistics at GSU and an M.S. in applied mathematics from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. My research interests are infectious disease modeling and addressing social determinants of health to advance health equity.
Kevin Maloney is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the School of Public Health at Georgia State University. His research interests include HIV and STI prevention, infectious disease models, and social network science, with a focus on gender and sexual minority adolescents and young adults.
Nikita is a 3rd year PhD candidate for Public Health in Epidemiology concentration at Georgia State University School of Public Health. She is a Second Century Initiative (2CI) scholar with active involvement in longitudinal tobacco control research projects. Her current research focuses mainly on tobacco use, newer tobacco products, tobacco control policies and behavioral research but is also working on adolescent marijuana use, infectious diseases such as Mpox and oral health. Nikita received her Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery from India followed by a Masters in Public Health from Georgia State University. She aspires to advance her career in academics and research as a professor in public health.
Radhika is a first-year Ph.D. student (Epidemiology) at Georgia State University and works full-time as an Epidemiologist at the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory School of Medicine. Radhika has an MPH in Epidemiology from Emory and an MSc. in International Development from the London School of Economics. At Emory, she works with the Prevention Epicenter on a portfolio of clinical research projects focussed on preventing healthcare-associated infections and reducing antibiotic prescribing by healthcare providers. Radhika also has prior experience and interests in the area of HIV/STIs.
Sena is a PhD. Candidate in Epidemiology at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. She holds a BS in Biochemistry and a MPH. Sena’s research and professional interests are in the infectious disease where she has therapeutic disease experience with Tuberculosis, Malaria, Ebola & COVID-19 to name few. In tandem with her academic pursuits Sena currently works in the biotech space as Director of Alliance Management and has been an integral part of a company that has developed a COVID-19 vaccine currently available in several markets. She has been the alliance focal point for partners such as the US Government, Biomedical Advance Research and Development Authority (BARDA), HHS Coordination Operations Response Element (H-CORE), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Serum Institute of India (SII), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), GAVI the Vaccine Alliance, COVAX, & WHO. She has worked cross functionally across departments including discovery, clinical, medical affairs, regulatory, & CMC. Prior to working in biotech, Sena has held various positions with global health organizations such as CARE and the Task Force for Global Health interfacing with partners such as CDC & USAID.
Shacara Lyons, a Decatur, Georgia native, earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Spelman College and a Master of Science in Public Health with a concentration in infectious disease epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has 18 years of public health experience encompassing academic research and government at the state and federal levels. Her areas of expertise are in infectious disease surveillance, health disparities, and data analysis. She is currently a Doctor of Public Health student at Georgia State University and an epidemiologist in HIV surveillance. Her research interests include advanced epidemiological and statistical methods, determinants of health and health equity, and data science.
Sushma Dahal earned her PhD and MPH in Epidemiology from Georgia State University (GSU). Her research interests include infectious disease modelling, social determinants of health, mental health and use of epidemiologic methods. Her doctoral research was on the application of epidemiologic methods to investigate the heterogenous impact of COVID-19. She has worked on analysis of big data including epidemic modelling and forecasting of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, monkeypox and the 1918 influenza pandemic. She has also worked on assessing spatial variability in excess mortality rates during the 1918 influenza pandemic in different countries. Before her PhD, she worked as an epidemiologist at Nepal Heath Research Council, Kathmandu Nepal and was a co-principal investigator for national mental health survey, Nepal. Dr. Dahal aims to contribute to generating quality evidence for evidence-based interventions that can save lives, prevent premature deaths, and promote population health.
Vuong Do is a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Public Health, Georgia State University. He is interested in studying the epidemiology of Chronic diseases and their risk factors. His current research focuses on tobacco use behaviors and factors influencing tobacco use. He also enjoys learning new data analysis techniques for different epidemiological study designs.SUNY Downstate School of Public Health
Event Date: April 6, 2023
Katherine M. Keyes, PhD, is Professor of Epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Read more
Dr. Zoe Smith is an assistant professor of psychology at Loyola University Chicago. She earned her PhD in clinical psychology, with a concentration in child and adolescent psychology, at Virginia Commonwealth University and completed her clinical internship at University of Chicago Medicine. Read more
The School of Public Health (SPH) is the first public School of Public Health in New York City and the State of New York State to focus on Immigrant Health.
Located in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn in NYC, the School of Public Health trains the next generation of leaders in public health through excellence in research, service, and teaching. Through rigorous and interdisciplinary research on population health and well-being, development of innovative community-engaged models to empower healthy communities, and by advancing the theory and practice of public health in urban and immigrant groups, the School of Public Health creates innovative pathways to improving health and health equity. These pathways are achieved in part through strong strategic partnerships both within the University’s Colleges of Medicine and Nursing and Schools of Health Related Professions and Graduate Studies and through long-term collaborations with community organizations, national and local policy institutions, and health care organizations.
Shabitri Dasgupta is currently a third-year candidate for a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree in Epidemiology at the SUNY Downstate School of Public Health. She previously earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from SUNY Downstate and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Stony Brook University. As a graduate student, she was chosen to be an Epi Scholar at the Bureau of Epidemiology Services at the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, which provided her with valuable experience and prepared her for her current role as an epidemiologist in the same department. She believes the most exciting aspect of being an epidemiologist is the ability to use data to develop and implement effective policy measures that can improve the health outcomes of the NYC population. Given her previous work experience working directly with a patient population affected by heart disease, and conducting research at the Mount Sinai Cardiovascular Clinical Trials Center, her current research interest for her doctorate is understanding the disparities and inequities of cardiovascular health outcomes in U.S. women.
Born and raised in New York, Ayanna Besson, MPH, is a doctoral candidate at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University’s School of Public Health. She works at Boston Medical Center as the Program Manager for Equity in Diabetes in connection with the Health Equity Accelerator. She is also the Public Health Analyst at The Fenway Institute’s Training and Education Department. Ayanna’s areas of expertise include plant-based nutrition, Type 2 diabetes prevention, community-based participatory research, and community health promotion. She has previously worked in program management to address the disparities in patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) through clinician training and has also worked to link underserved intellectually and developmentally disabled (ID/DD) children and adults to care.
Claire Nurse is a doctoral candidate in the department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, at SUNY Downstate School of Public Health. Claire earned a Master of Occupational Therapy from New York University, and Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of the West Indies in Barbados. Claire’s research interests include the health effects of environmental exposures on vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women and children. She is also interested in research related to individual and biologic risk factors in infectious disease.
Chanée Massiah is a current a doctoral student at SUNY Downstate School of Public Health, concentrating in epidemiology. Her research interests include communicable diseases, oral health and women’s reproductive health. As a Brooklyn native, Chanée has been immersed in a plethora of cultures and appreciates the diversity New York has granted her. Her rooted passion for culture has been intertwined with her dedication to public health. Chanée has had the opportunity to travel to Central and South America and Uganda, Africa to volunteer with mobile medical clinics, children orphanages and infant birthing centers. These opportunities have shaped Chanée’s view on global health and the need for sustainable health care in all countries. In addition to her love for public health, Chanée is a dog-mom to a gentle giant, also known as a Great Dane, named Daina. She is frequently asked how she fits a Great Dane in her Brooklyn home and her response is always: “We make it work!”
I am a doctoral student with interest in infectious disease prevention and health promotion. I am particularly involved in health disparities and social determinants of health as they relate to HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Tuberculosis, viral hemorrhagic diseases, vaccine health and other exotic and emerging diseases. My knowledge of epidemiologic research methods and their application to data collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and results dissemination, conducting surveillance and understanding disease trend and patterns, engaging timely dissemination of information and having worked with people living with HIV/AIDS, TB, other infectious disease and on vaccine health has exposed me to health disparities that exist as it relates to HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STDs, TB, COVID and other infections. I am committed to be part of the public health workforce targeted at improving awareness about social determinants of health and health disparities as they relate to infectious diseases.
Janille Williams (she/her) is an epidemiology doctoral candidate and student council president at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. She holds an MPH in Epidemiology and a BS in Biology from St. George’s University School of Medicine (SGU).
Bianca D. Rivera, MPH, CPH is a data analyst with the Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and DrPH student in Epidemiology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. She received a Master’s of Public Health in Epidemiology from the same institution. Her research focuses on social and structural determinants of heath inequity including access to broadband internet and access to treatment for opioid use disorder. She is also interested in emerging drug policy including the decriminalization of drugs in the United States and the extensions of pandemic policy that expanded access for medications for opioid use disorder.
Navin is currently a DrPh student who works as a biostatistician for the Nathan Kline Institute RFMH on projects concerning mental health and mental health services, especially among marginalized communities. Motivated by the health disparities in his community and the passing of a loved one, Navin has found interest in understanding the role of nutrition and a plant-based diet in preventing, managing, and reversing chronic diseases and their outcome. Navin holds a BA in Math from NYU and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.
Amber is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, board-certified family nurse practitioner and primary care provider for the Northwell Health system. She received her clinical training from Columbia University School of Nursing and is a graduate of Northwell Health’s Primary Care Advanced Care Provider Fellowship. Under the CREST fellowship, Amber is now pursuing her MPH in biostatistics and plans to expand her career into the field of research. Her career is dedicated to chronically underserved populations that suffer most from unaddressed health disparities in the U.S. health system and globally.
I am a third-year DrPH student at SUNY Downstate. I received my Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. I work at the New York State Department of Health as an Infection Control Epidemiologist. I hold a Certification in Infection Control. I am also a member of the Air National Guard.
A first generation, Mexican-American, MPH student at SUNY Downstate School of Public Health and incoming medical student at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine with an interest in health equity, climate change, and policy.University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
Event Date: April 11, 2023
Caroline A. Thompson, Ph.D, M.P.H., (she/her) is Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and full member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Read more
Dr. Natalie E. Cook (she/her), Assistant Professor of Public Health at Virginia Tech, is a critical educator, transformative evaluator and researcher, as well as a culturally-affirming full-spectrum doula. Read more
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock is the only health sciences university in the state of Arkansas. With our combination of education, research and clinical programs, UAMS has a unique capacity to lead health care improvement in the state. The Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health includes the shared missions of:
- Meeting the public health workforce needs for the future and
- Demonstrating how public health approaches can address the health needs of Arkansans via model community programs.
Pilot sites for teaching and learning also serve as innovative laboratories for new and creative approaches to old problems. Students learn, with the expert aid of local citizens, schools, hospitals, and faith groups about community-based health improvement.
As with other UAMS colleges, the standards of teaching and learning are high and the resources for academic and social life are excellent. College faculty members are engaged in cutting-edge health research in numerous areas of societal concerns and students are welcome as members of most investigative teams. To learn more, please visit https://publichealth.uams.edu/about/
I am a PhD student at the UAMS college of public health. I have a background in clinical dentistry and public health. I have worked for non-profit for several years as a Statistician/Epidemiologist. My current research interests are in infectious diseases and cancer.
Lydia Famuyide is a 3rd year Ph.D. student at the Department of Epidemiology, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas. She completed her MPH at the same university in 2020. Her research interests are birth defects, and maternal, and child health. She is also a research assistant at Arkansas Center for Birth Defects, Little Rock, Arkansas where she has been doing research on birth defects for three years.
I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology at UAMS. I am currently working on my dissertation. My dissertation focuses on Tuberculosis Elimination in Arkansas. My research interests are in infectious diseases, HIV and STIs.
Rachel was adopted from China at the age of one but has always considered Northwest, Arkansas home. Her research interests include global health, bioinformatics, infectious disease, and diabetes. Rachel also spent a short internship serving with the Arkansas Department of Health and assisted on a project through a CDC grant that launched the reporting of LTBI for the first time ever. When she’s not studying, you can find her spending time outdoors or playing soccer. She recently moved back to the US after spending the last two years serving in Cardiff, Wales.
I am a dedicated epidemiologist with a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory and an MPH in epidemiology. After graduation, I worked as a lab specialist in a microbiology lab for a year before transitioning to academia. I also worked as a teaching assistant in the Epidemiology Department at the College of Public Health at Umm Alqura University for five years. Currently, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Epidemiology and working as a lab research assistant in a molecular epidemiology Lab at UAMS. I am interested in cancer and smoking addiction research, specifically on the molecular side. I want to understand the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in cancer development.
Tianjiao is a highly skilled research assistant with over five years of experience in epidemiologic study design and data analysis, focusing on various health-related research areas such as COPD, asthma, lung cancer, tobacco and alcohol use, and genomic and molecular analysis. Having worked at institutions, including the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Tianjiao has contributed to three peer-reviewed scientific publications and four conference poster presentations. Their expertise lies in analyzing large observational databases like COPDGene, claims data, SEER database, NHANES, and PATH Study.
Benjamin is a dynamic, reliable, data – driven, knowledgeable, and passionate epidemiologist. His career interest centers around infectious disease aspect of epidemiology as well as educating communities on health promotion and disease prevention strategies – building healthy populations.
My name is Olabowale “Ola” Olola, and I completed my high school and bachelor’s degree in the DMV area. I received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a Pre-Medicine concentration from Washington Adventist University in 2018. I moved to Buffalo, New York, in 2018, where I completed my Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Epidemiology in May 2020 and an Advanced Certificate in Sustainability Leadership in May 2022 at the University of Buffalo. I also worked as a Program Specialist at Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center (ENAHEC), a non-profit organization focused on public health education and diversifying the healthcare workforce until 2022. In August of 2022, I moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, for my Ph.D. education. I am currently a first-year Ph.D. student majoring in epidemiology at The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
My name is Edgar Ellis, and I am an MPH candidate in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. My research interests include breast, prostate, and lung cancer etiology, prevention, and detection. My research also focuses on health disparities and environmental exposures relating to breast cancer outcomes in the Arkansas Rural Community Health Study. I received my BS in Chemistry from the University of Arkansas.
Camille Richoux is a second-year doctoral student in the Doctor of Public Health program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health. She holds a Master of Public Health from UAMS and completed her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at the University of Arkansas. Camille’s research interests lie in harm reduction strategies, reproductive health disparities, and communicable disease prevention in the US South. She is currently exploring the implementation of harm reduction policy and practice to reduce transmission of HCV and HIV and address drug-related adverse outcomes for high-risk, marginalized communities in her state.
Ashley Williams is a Program Director with the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education. Her interests are structural racism and health disparities for marginalized communities. Ashley has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Science in Health Sciences. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Public Health from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She has over 11 years of experience in public health working in communities across the state.
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine MPH Program
Event Date: April 12, 2023
Dr. Dayna A. Johnson, PhD, MPH, MSW, MS is a sleep epidemiologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University in Atlanta GA. She received her doctorate degree in Epidemiologic Science from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Harvard Medical School. Read more
Kia L. Davis, ScD, MPH is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Public Health Sciences at the Washington University School of Medicine. Read more
The University of Cincinnati (UC) is a premier, public, urban research university dedicated to undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, experience-based learning, and research. The College of Medicine has a distinguished reputation for providing high quality training for our students and leading-edge research through creating impactful and sustainable biomedical research programs, developing passionate and innovative research teams, becoming a destination for clinical trials, and harnessing “big data” to be not just evidence-based, but also evidence-gathering. Specifically, the Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences is equipped with the latest technologies in environmental chemistry, aerosol physics, omics, and molecular genetics. We offer graduate degrees in public health, environmental genetics and molecular toxicology, environmental and occupational hygiene, environmental and occupational medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical and translational research. Our faculty engage in a robust portfolio of research activities and guide millions of dollars annually in collaborative projects, with funding sources ranging from NIH and NIOSH to the CDC. Many of our graduates are working for federal and state agencies, academia, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and health organizations and agencies.
I am a third-year epidemiology Ph.D. candidate at the University of Cincinnati set to graduate in December 2023. My research focuses on the impact of fluoride exposure on the brain structure and behavioral health of adolescents. I also have a BA in chemistry and an MS in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Cincinnati and have multiple years of experience in drug development research. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with my husband and dog, crocheting, and reading.
Sara Burcham is a doctoral student in the Epidemiology Division at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences. Her research focuses on identifying risk factors for mental health and cardiovascular disease in a local community living near a hazardous waste site. She is interested in studying the relationship between humans and their built environment using observational data. Before joining UC, Sara spent 8 years working in Quality Assurance for major food and grocery brands including Schreiber Foods, Lidl US, and CAVA. During the pandemic, she volunteered at her local health department as a COVID-19 Case Investigator and Contact Tracer. She holds a BS in Food Science from the Ohio State University and a MPH in Epidemiology from George Washington University. She also received a Certification in Infection Control from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.
Research interests
I am a graduate student at the University of Cincinnati pursuing an MPH in Epidemiology. I am a medical graduate from India. I have a keen interest in the research field. The first cohort study that I learnt about was the study that determined the causal link between smoking and lung cancer. Ever since, I have been fascinated by epidemiological research and it’s invaluable contributions to community health as well as clinical medicine. I am an avid advocate for the equitable distribution of healthcare resources and it’s universal access.
Completed Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, India (2014-2020)
I’m Pooja Gohil, a dedicated and compassionate dentist, pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology. With a passion for improving population health, my aim is to use my expertise in dentistry and epidemiology to address health disparities and promote oral health at the community level. After completing my Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree in India, I worked in private practice for several years, where I witnessed firsthand the impact of oral diseases on individuals and communities. This experience inspired me to pursue an MPH in Epidemiology to further my understanding of the social determinants of health and disease and to develop strategies for improving oral health outcomes. My research interests include the epidemiology of oral diseases, particularly in vulnerable populations, as well as the relationship between oral health and systemic health. I’m also interested in the development and evaluation of interventions to improve oral health outcomes at the community level. With my expertise in dentistry and epidemiology, I aim to make a meaningful contribution to public health research and practice. I believe that improving oral health outcomes is essential for promoting overall health and well-being, and I’m committed to using my skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on the communities.
MD, MPH
I am Dr. Sai Likhita Mamillapalli, a dedicated dental professional passionate about public health and research. With a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree and currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (Health Services Management) degree, I combine clinical expertise with a strong focus on improving healthcare outcomes. My experience as an Associate Dentist, Junior Resident Doctor, and Health Educator has provided me with a deep understanding of patient care, management, and community outreach. I am driven by a desire to contribute to innovative research initiatives and implement evidence-based practices to enhance healthcare delivery.University of Hawai’i at Manoa Public Health Program
Event Date: April 18, 2023
Mahasin S. Mujahid is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. She is also the Chair of the Division of Epidemiology and the Lillian E. I. and Dudley J. Aldous Chair in Public Health. Read more
Dr. Zhou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at Wayne State’s CLAS. Her research uses mixed methods to understand and address the mental health needs of emerging adults and college student populations with particular focus on underserved populations, including students of color, international students, and sexual and gender minorities. Read more
Established in 1907, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the largest and oldest of the 10 UH campuses. One of its recognized strengths is Pacific and Asian regional public health. The Office of Public Health Studies in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health at UH Mānoa offers a unique experience to study public health in an Asian-Pacific context. They offer specializations in epidemiology, health policy and management, Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health, and social and behavioral health sciences. Degrees offered include the bachelor of arts (BA), master of public health (MPH), master of science (MS), and doctor of philosophy (PhD). All degrees are accredited as a public health program by the Council on Education for Public Health. Located at the crossroads between Asia and the continental US, the University of Hawai‘i offers a diverse cultural experience in a Hawaiian place of learning. Our faculty and students collaborate with local, national, and international research and professional institutions. To learn more, please visit https://manoa.hawaii.edu/publichealth/
1st-year MPH Epidemiology Student at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa. Interests include perinatal and pediatric epidemiology, and health policy and management.
Aloha
I have been working at the Washington State Department of health for the past 3 years. I started as an epidemiologist supervising the COVID development team for the Washington Disease Reporting System and now as the Disaster Epidemiologist under the Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology. I have my MPH from Tufts University (2017) with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. I am in my 3rd year of my PhD at the University of Hawaii and will hopefully be defending my dissertation this fall.
Aloha, my name is Allen Oamil and I am a graduate student at the University of Hawai’i (UH) at Mānoa. My undergraduate degrees were in Public Health and Philippine Language and Literature. I continue my academic journey by further pursuing a degree in Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology at UH Mānoa. I enjoy being in nature and spending quality time with family and friends.
I am Jane Maicalyn Pascual, born and raised in the Philippines. I obtained my Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2021 and will be entering my second year of the MPH program specializing in Epidemiology, with an interest in infectious diseases, in Fall 2023. My interest in this field of Epidemiology could be attributed to having my upbringing in a developing country. It made me aware of the impacts of how a dismantled, weak, and inequitable public health care system can do to a society. My fair share of experiencing measles, mumps, and chickenpox at a young age served as a catalyst that further developed my affinity and passion toward Public Health.
Heejung Sin (Chloe) is a first-year graduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, majoring in Public Health. Heejung and her family relocated from South Korea to CNMI in 2004 which led her to have a passion for serving underserved populations and indigenous people. Her interest in public health is After graduation, Heejung plans to work where she can help and support people with special health needs such as mental health conditions and developmental disabilities.
Meldrick Ravida is a recent MPH graduate specializing in Epidemiology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. With a focus on minority populations and the social determinants of health, he conducted an analysis on the prevalence of chronic health conditions among sexual and gender minorities (SGM) at risk for severe COVID-19 Disease in Hawaiʻi. Meldrick’s research interests encompass the social determinants of health, sexual and gender minority health, mental health, health equity, health communications, and cancer epidemiology.Past Events:
Dr. Magdalena Cerda Visits University of California, MERCED!
Event Date: January 25, 2022
“Understanding and Reversing the Tide of the Opioid Overdose Epidemic”
Opioid overdoses now claim more lives per year than HIV/AIDS did at the height of the epidemic. An unknown but large number of people suffer from opioid use disorder and nonfatal overdose, which have devastating individual and societal consequences. Read more
The University of California, Merced, located in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, is the 10th and newest campus of the renowned University of California system. U.C. Merced’s Department of Public Health (housed in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts) is building a vibrant and diverse intellectual community with the goal of fostering scholarly excellence in public health. We offer an interdisciplinary PhD in Public Health as well as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Health. Our faculty and PhD students are actively engaged in advanced quantitative and mixed-methods research on a broad set of pressing public health issues. Current areas of focus include the population health impacts of policies related to immigration and tobacco, air pollution, the information environment, mental illness, and neighborhood characteristics. To learn more, please visit https://publichealth.ucmerced.edu/.
Dr. Jennifer Ahern visits The University of Kentucky!
Event Date: May 6, 2021
“Leveraging big health data to answer questions about program and policy effects”
Dr. Ahern will present on her exploration of ways to leverage existing large-scale population health data to answer questions about health impacts of changes in physical and social environments, and policy and program implementation. Read more
The University of Kentucky has a broad range of resources centered on a single campus in the heart of the Bluegrass. The University of Kentucky established the College of Public Health to develop transformative solutions to health challenges through its teaching, research and service efforts. The College of Public Health is committed to quality in all of its education, research and service efforts. To prepare students to take advantage of these opportunities, the college offers a Bachelor of Public Health, a Master of Public Health, a Master of Health Administration, as well as a number of PhD programs both within the college and interdisciplinary in nature. The College faculty engage in a robust portfolio of research activities and guide millions of dollars annually in collaborative projects, with funding sources ranging from NIH and CDC, to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This extramural funding provides numerous opportunities for students to participate in ground-breaking research.
Dr. Marcia P. Jimenez visits Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública
Event Date: January 27, 2021
“Machine Learning: Future directions in the study of spatial factors and mental health”
Mental health illness affects 1 in 5 older adults in the US, and have great health, social and economic impact on patients, families, and the healthcare system. Green space or trees and natural vegetation can provide mental health benefits through increased physical activity, social connection and reduced exposure to air pollution. Read more
The National Institute of Public Health is one of the largest public health research centers in Latin America. Located in Mexico, INSP has campuses in Cuernavaca, Mexico City and Chiapas. INSP has seven research centers focusing in population health, infectious diseases, health systems, health surveys and evaluation, nutrition, vector-born diseases, and information for policy decision-making. INSP also hosts the centennial Mexico’s School of Public Health, where more than 500 students are enrolled in 24 post-graduate academic programs, from residency to doctoral level. INSP is an integral part of the National Health System and aims to improve public health through research, teaching and service.
Dr. Martha Werler Visits University of Montana!
Event Date: May 6, 2021
The University of Montana’s School of Public & Community Health Sciences aims to graduate exceptional practitioners and researchers equipped with the skills and expertise to improve public health in their communities and around the world. Located in Missoula, Montana, we offer both on-campus and online Master of Public Health, online graduate certificate, and an on-campus PhD in Public Health Studies programs. Our MPH and PhD programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. We offer multiple dual degree options, including Masters of Social Work/MPH and Masters of Public Administration/MPH programs.
To learn more, please visit http://health.umt.edu/publichealth/.
Dr. Sunni Mumford Visits Texas A&M!
“It was so great to have a chance to meet with the students and faculty at Texas A&M – to talk about opportunities with SER, science, and potential collaborations. I am so thankful for their hospitality and to see the generous donations of their department in combination with Columbia to be able to send two students to the SER Annual Meeting this year!”
Congratulations to Ravneet Kaur and Xiao Zhang! Ravneet and Xiao each received a Susser-Stein Travel Award of $500 to attend the 2020 SER Annual Meeting in Boston, MA. The Susser-Stein Travel Award is sponsored by Columbia University.
The Texas A&M School of Public Health is committed to transforming health through interdisciplinary inquiry, innovative solutions and development of leaders through the Aggie tradition of service to engage diverse communities worldwide. The college offers the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), the Master of Public Health (MPH), the Master of Health Administration (MHA), the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services Research (PhD), various minors and certificate programs. Students pursuing the MPH have six concentration options: biostatistics, health promotion and community health sciences, environmental health, occupational safety and health, epidemiology, and health policy and management. Students use faculty as advisers, and each graduate student participates in a practicum. The college is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
For more information please visit our website at sph.tamhsc.edu
Dr. Penny Howards Visits Georgia Southern University!
Event Date: May 6, 2021
“I enjoyed meeting the students and faculty at Georgia Southern. It was interesting to learn about the similarities and differences between the Georgia Southern epidemiology program and the Emory program. I particularly valued the opportunity to meet with the students and discuss how to identify a dissertation topic and different possible career paths after graduation. Everyone at Georgia Southern was extremely welcoming, and I thank SERVisits for creating this opportunity. I look forward to seeing the recipient of the Susser-Stein travel award and others from the Georgia Southern community at the next SER meeting.”
At the Jiann-Ping-Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) at Georgia Southern University, students make direct positive impacts on health at local, state, national and global levels. The college offers the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), the Master of Public Health (MPH), and the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). Students pursuing the MPH can concentrate in biostatistics, community health, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy and management, as well as a generalist concentration. Students pursuing the DrPH can concentrate in biostatistics, community health behavior and education, epidemiology, and public health leadership. The college is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Read more
Susser-Stein Travel Award in the amount of $1000 will be given to an individual to attend the 2020 SER Annual Meeting in Boston, MA. Award winner details are coming soon!
The Susser-Stein Travel Award is sponsored by Columbia University.
Dr. Lauren Wise Visits Florida!
“It was a wonderful experience to visit faculty and students at University of South Florida. I am thankful for the opportunity to connect with individuals who would not typically come to SER and tell them more about all the valuable resources that SER has to offer. I am particularly grateful for Columbia’s support of the travel scholarships for student to the SER Annual Meeting!”
The University of Southern Florida, College of Public Health is located in Tampa, Florida. The College of Public Health has 241 faculty with regular, adjunct and affiliate appointments as well as 180 professional and support staff. Degree programs are offered in multiple platforms to accommodate student needs. On-campus courses are available throughout the day and evening. The College offers almost 100 courses online, including 6 complete degree programs. The DrPH program mixes distance learning with condensed on-campus sessions.
Click here to learn more.
Congratulations to Rashida Jones! Rashida received a Susser-Stein Travel Award of $1000 to attend the 2019 SER Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Susser-Stein Travel Award is sponsored by Columbia University.
Dr. Daniel Westreich Visits Florida International University!
“I had a fabulous time talking with faculty and students at Florida International University, who were wonderful and gracious hosts. I hope we have more opportunities to interact in the future – perhaps at SER!”
Our accredited programs at the Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, equip students with strong analytic and quantitative skills to be successful in designing and conducting public health investigations, disease surveillance, innovative interventions and methodological research. In addition to MPH programs in Epidemiology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology and a PhD in Epidemiology, we offer a 1-year accelerated MPH program. We currently have 100 students enrolled in the MPH program and 16 students enrolled in the PhD program. Many of our graduates are working as epidemiologists for federal and state agencies, academia, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and health organizations and agencies.
Click here for more information.
Congratulations to Semiu Gbadamosi! Semiu received a Susser-Stein Travel Award of $1000 to attend the 2019 SER Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Susser-Stein Travel Award is sponsored by Columbia University.
Dr. Jennifer Ahern Visits San Diego!
“My visit to San Diego State University was valuable in so many ways. I was excited to learn about the interesting research projects that relate to their location near the Mexico border, and that involve integration with the military. It was a pleasure to get to know the students and faculty. I expect the connections made will contribute to strengthening collaboration at Schools of Public Health across the state of California.”
Sindana Ilango
2019 SERvisits Travel Scholarship Winner
The San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Public Health (SPH) was founded in 1980 as part of the university’s new focus on health and human services. One of four nationally accredited schools of public health in California, and located in the most vibrant and culturally diverse areas of the country, the SPH provides many opportunities for education, research and community involvement. The vision of the SPH is to be the leader in creating and advancing innovation and excellence in Public Health and its mission is to develop public health leaders, advance knowledge, and transform population health locally and globally through education, research, collaboration, and service to promote health equity for all. Geographically positioned close to the US-Mexico border, the SPH is a leader in Latino and Border Health research including research at our Imperial Valley Campus near the AZ/CA/Mexico border, and close partnerships with universities in Mexico. Read more
Click here for a PDF brochure
Erin Delker
2019 SERvisits Travel Scholarship Winner
Dr. Timothy Lash Visits Arizona!
“I very much enjoyed my visit to the College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. I learned a lot about public health challenges unique to the state, including especially the response to health challenges emanating from changes to immigration policy. I also learned about the hazards (animal, insect, vegetation) of hiking in the nearby hills!”
The University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health is dedicated to promoting the health of individuals and communities in the southwest and globally with an emphasis on achieving health equity through excellence in education, research and service.
Click here to learn more.
Congratulations to Ellen Santos! Ellen received a Susser-Stein Travel Award of $1000 to attend the 2019 SER Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Susser-Stein Travel Award is sponsored by Columbia University.
Dr. Sandro Galea Visits Atlanta!
“I thoroughly enjoyed talking to students at the SER Visits in Atlanta. What a privilege it is to have the opportunity to engage with colleagues across generations; I am grateful to SER for creating the opportunity.”
Student’s joined Dr. Galea at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library on May 10th for his lecture on “Fifty Thoughts on the Foundations of Population Health”. Registered participants met with Dr. Galea prior to his event, for a 45 minute Question and Answer session. Following their discussion, individuals attended the lecture and book signing.
The San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Public Health (SPH) was founded in 1980 as part of the university’s new focus on health and human services. One of four nationally accredited schools of public health in California, and located in the most vibrant and culturally diverse areas of the country, the SPH provides many opportunities for education, research and community involvement. The vision of the SPH is to be the leader in creating and advancing innovation and excellence in Public Health and its mission is to develop public health leaders, advance knowledge, and transform population health locally and globally through education, research, collaboration, and service to promote health equity for all. Geographically positioned close to the US-Mexico border, the SPH is a leader in Latino and Border Health research including research at our Imperial Valley Campus near the AZ/CA/Mexico border, and close partnerships with universities in Mexico. Read more
Click here for a PDF brochure
Congratulations to SER Visits You – Travel Winner, Sypriya Sarkar! Sypriya received $1,000 in travel funds to attend the 2018 SER Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Enrique Schisterman Visits CUNY!
“My engagement with the students of CUNY was one of the most exciting experiences I’ve had, they are both smart and committed to improving the lives of others.”
Congratulations to the SER Visits Travel Scholarship Winners – Ezinne Akpara and John Mancini! Ezinne and Johan will each receive $500 in travel funds to attend the 2018 SER Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland.
CUNY School of Medicine is changing the faces in medicine, one graduating class at a time. Our mission is simple—to recruit and nurture talented, highly motivated youth who are passionate about helping others, who dare to dream of becoming a health professional and who have the commitment to do it. Our students come from underserved communities, of limited financial resources, and of racial/ethnic backgrounds historically underrepresented in the medical profession.
Click here to learn more.