Greetings Students!
Hopefully, you enjoyed the summer and had some time to relax before starting the new academic year. We hope that you have started making plans to attend the upcoming APHA Annual Meeting in San Diego. Students have always been crucial participants in the Epidemiology Section. By attending the business meetings or scientific sessions, students can learn about the dynamic and diverse career opportunities in epidemiology and network with leaders in the field. The Section also welcomes interested students to volunteer for more active rolls by participating in committees such as the Program Planning Committee, reviewing abstracts for the Annual Meeting or working at the Epidemiology Section booth at the Annual Meeting.
We wanted to highlight a few activities at this year’s APHA Annual Meeting that may be of particular interest to students in the Epidemiology Section:
Epidemiology Section Student Awards and Career Session. One way in which the Epidemiology Section shows its support for students is through the Section Student Awards. All students who submit an abstract to the Epidemiology Section describing research conducted during undergraduate or graduate training are eligible for consideration for a student award. We are proud to announce the Student Awards Committee selected the following as the 2008 Student Award Winners:
o Orquídea Frías-Belén, University of Puerto Rico. Association between increased body mass index and self-reported asthma in the Puerto Rican population.
o Tomas Nuño, University of Arizona. Assessment of a promotora-administered educational program to promote breast and cervical cancer screening in a rural community along the U.S.-Mexico border.
o Heidi D. Sato, TUI University. Predicting foodborne outbreaks at restaurants: Results of a risk assessment model.
o Melissa Y. Wei, Oregon Health and Sciences University. Vitamin D and prevention of colorectal adenoma. A meta-analysis.
Congratulations to the Student Award winners! And thank you to all the students who contribute to the Section. Your hard work is most appreciated.
This session will also be a wonderful opportunity to recognize other students for their work and learn about career pathways from senior epidemiologists.
(Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.)
Epidemiology Section Social Event. The social event will be a great chance to meet and network with other epidemiologists in APHA in an informal setting. It also serves as a great networking opportunity with your mentor. Please note the event is limited to 100 people and requires a ticket. Please inquire about tickets at the APHA Epidemiology Section booth (price to be announced shortly).
Epidemiology Section Booth. Please drop by our Section booth to meet other members of the Section and to learn about other ongoing activities in the Section. If you are able to volunteer to staff the booth, there are several afternoon time slots still available. Please contact us if you are interested in helping out.
Career Awards Session. Come and listen to lectures from senior epidemiologists who are being recognized for their great work! (Monday afternoon)
Epidemiology Section Business Meetings. The business meetings are open to students and will give you a sense of the depth and breadth of activities of the Epidemiology Section. It may provide an opportunity to find out how you can get involved with the Section! You maybe introduced to a new mentor and receive great ideas and insights from senior epidemiologists.
We are continuously encouraging all APHA student members to get involved in the Epidemiology Section to develop invaluable leadership experience within APHA, to advocate for the continued involvement of students within APHA, and to help build more collaborative opportunities within APHA. Please feel free to contact either of us if you have any suggestions for how to better include the public health student voice in the Epidemiology Section of APHA.
Submitted by Student Assembly Epidemiology Student Section Liaisons
Lisa Oakley oakelyl@onid.orst.edu
Hannah Yang hayang@jhsph.edu