HSPH PDA Council Elections 2024

My work intersects environmental change and human health, leveraging satellite imagery and AI for early warning systems in disease spread and food security. This has involved living across four continents and learning multiple languages (English, Italian, Portuguese,) over eight years, enhancing my passion for cross-cultural communication and knowledge sharing. These experiences drive my self-nomination to manage communications for the HSPH PDA.

I am from Atlanta, GA and mother to a Boykin Spaniel named Blue and two feisty chinchillas named Chimichanga and Taquito.  My research focus is to invesitgate the genetic epidemiology of chronic lung diseases including COPD and IPF and their related co-morbidities such as muscle wasting and GERD.  I am interested in joining the postdoc council to lend my voice to support events that foster a sense of community and to promote changes such as increased dental insurance to improve our quality of life.

I joined HSPH in February 2024 as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Weisskopf lab as part of the Football Player’s Health Study. My primary work is to investigate health outcomes in ex-NFL players, such as sleep apnea, hypertension, depression etc. I obtained my PhD in Spring 2023 from CU Boulder, where I worked as part of the Pac-12 CARE Consortium, researching concussion incidence, symptom presentation, and recovery in collegiate varsity athletes across the Pac-12. During my time at CU Boulder I realized how disconnected the research fellows, postdocs, master’s students, and PhD students really were. I started a bi-weekly departmental social in which graduate students would present their research to undergrads, other graduate students, and faculty. I strongly believe that science must be collaborative to be successful, and I also realize how difficult it is to connect with others when in research, especially outside of one’s own lab. Thus, I want to join the council as chair of the social committee in order to plan events focused on meeting each other, working with each other, and developing connections that can last us beyond the present. Whether it is hosting wellness events like yoga on the quad, or late-night activities such as pub crawls or dinners, and also regular science-social events where we can present our research to each other, I would love the opportunity to enhance all of our social lives!

Air pollution toxicologist and stem mentor. I have a PhD in environmental toxicology and currently working as a postdoctoral fellow in toxicological evaluation of chemicals of emerging concern. I am enthusiastic about joining the PDA council to:

1- Better disseminate the knowledge about career development and future goals of the research fellows to the higher management

2- Promote the wellbeing of fellows across the campus and help make financial decisions that can better elevate the career and life goals of fellows

3- Take part in decision making to arrange for career development opportunities for the fellows.

I am Tasmiah Nuzhath, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Global Health and Population. I completed my Doctor of Public Health degree with training in health behavior, public health practice, leadership, intervention design, and program evaluation. My research focuses on ensuring equitable health access and utilization in vulnerable groups to reduce health disparities. Before pursuing my doctoral degree, I worked as a consultant for the United Nations where I engaged in leadership and advocacy efforts to promote evidence-based public health policies at the local and national levels. I am committed to strengthening the voices and participation of the underrepresented communities through my research and advocacy. I am deeply committed to gaining leadership experience while actively contributing to the enhancement of the postdoctoral experience for others. As a postdoctoral researcher myself, I understand the challenges and opportunities that come with this phase of academic and professional growth. One of my primary motivations is to bridge the gap between the needs of postdocs and the support they currently receive. I believe that by getting directly involved in the association, I can play a significant role in ensuring that postdocs feel empowered, supported, and adequately represented. I aim to create a more inclusive and enriching environment for all postdocs by amplifying their voices and advocating for their needs.

I’m a Colombian-Dutch evolutionary biologist currently working in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases where I apply my skills in bioinformatics and statistics to help stop malaria in developing countries. During my undergrad, I served as the student speaker for the Biology Department at the National University of Colombia. In that role, I championed initiatives to reduce attrition among low-income students, improve mental health resources, and update the biology curriculum. If elected to the council, my primary initiative will be the establishment of a platform where postdocs and researchers at HSPH can showcase their research interests, ongoing projects, and career achievements. This platform will serve as a hub for fostering collaborations among postdocs across different departments, thus promoting interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange within our community. Likewise, I aim to boost awareness of the wealth of resources offered by the Postdoctoral Association, and will take the lead in developing initiatives to update and tailor these resources to the needs of our community. Finally, I will seek to use the platform of the association to plan activities aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being among postdocs.

I am a nutritional epidemiologist and Research Associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health having obtained my Ph.D. from Boston University’s School of Medicine. I joined HSPH in June 2020 as a post-doctoral fellow. My research interests are aimed at improving maternal, newborn and child health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries and I am particularly interested in how maternal and child nutrition interacts with infectious disease and impacts child growth and health outcomes. I am interested in implementation and evaluation of programs aimed at improving the lives of mothers and their infants and the quality of care they receive. I would like to join the Postdoctoral Council to gain a greater sense of belonging at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health; I am also eager to engage with fellow scholars across the school. Through active involvement in the council, I aim to facilitate networking opportunities that bridge interdisciplinary boundaries.

I am a researcher and registered dietitian interested in the effects of cannabis exposure and metabolic and cardiovascular health outcomes. I am currently a first-year post-doctoral fellow at the HSPH in the Epidemiology department. I went back for a PhD mid-career and am excited to be at HSPH to advance my scientific training. I am interested in joining the HSPH PDA Council to increase networking and to stay abreast of current research within HSPH. I also very much enjoy networking with others and finding ways to showcase current research- I have done this previously within dietetic professional organizations.

I currently hold a position as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (since October 2023) in the Department of Nutrition/Biostatistics, focusing on spatial modeling of microbiome image data. I am keen to join the council to actively contribute to the support of fellow postdocs at HSPH. I aim to promote collaboration, advocate for resources, and address the needs of our members, all while furthering the Council’s mission of enhancing the postdoc experience and facilitating professional development opportunities.