I completed my PhD in Population Health Sciences with emphasis in Clinical and Translational Epidemiology in 2022. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at the NIH’s Environmental Health Sciences branch. I am investigating environmental non-persistent chemical exposures during pregnancy and their associations with bio-active lipid markers of inflammation in pregnancy with a health equity lens.
Describe your experience in the program
I was in the clinical and translational epidemiology track. This track provided me with exceptional experience in how to translate epidemiologic work. I starting taking seminars from the PHS and Huntsman Cancer Center prior to being enrolled into the program and carried on attending said seminars until my graduation. I have learned great deal of research from all of my professors. This program provided me with the proper tools to be able to be a successful perinatal epidemiologist. I made some amazing connections, both professionally and academically, that I will carry with me.
What was your favorite class?
I took all of the required CTE courses, including clinical epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, health equity course, causal inference, stats for EPI, grant writing, research ethics, CTE seminars, I would have to say that all of these classes were my favorites.
Describe some of your research experiences
During my first year in my PhD, I worked under the mentorship of Dr. Silver in the MFM division of the OBGYN department where I worked mainly on projects related to placental abruption, advanced maternal age, umbilical cord abnormalities and assisted reproductive technology and their associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes. I submitted multiple abstracts which were accepted for poster presentations throughout the following years. After completing my dissertation proposal, I started working on my dissertation project entitled “The Role of Allostatic Load Biomarkers as Measure of Chronic Stress in Pregnancy and Postpartum” under the guidance of my wonderful dissertation committee (Dr. Murtaugh, Dr. Wilson, Dr. Blue, Dr. Redd, Amanda) and dissertation chair (Dr. Silver). I was able to publish my placental abruption paper and my first dissertation paper. I am currently publishing the rest of my dissertation and other papers.
What did you enjoy most about the program?
I enjoyed learning from all of my classes and getting to know all of my professors and classmates.
What is your next step and how you feel the program prepared you for this?
I feel like the program prepared me well to have a successful career and future. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at the NIH’s Environmental Health Sciences branch. I am investigating environmental non-persistent chemical exposures during pregnancy and their associations with bio-active lipid markers of inflammation in pregnancy with a health equity lens.
What advice you have for future students?
As you start the program, I would recommend that you have weekly meetings with your mentor to stay on track and present at conferences and publish as much as you can. As you finish the program, I would also recommend that you start the dissertation formatting early on, as the process can be lengthy. Lastly, in between, I would recommend that you celebrate the small wins and enjoy the process.