Fall 2011 Newsletter
Inside Peek
Our 'Inside Peek' section features spotlights of our leaders in Epidemiology. If you are interested in seeing an individual featured in our 'Inside Peek' section, please email sbevan@epiresearch.org
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Louise Brinton, Ph.D., MPH National Cancer Institute |
What sparked your decision to become an epidemiologist?
I initially went to graduate school to pursue medical anthropology. My decision to transfer into an epidemiology department had more to do with my disillusion with the way anthropology was being taught than with anything else. I was fortunate to be at UNC-Chapel Hill with a first class epidemiology department, led at that time by John Cassel, who along with some other excellent faculty members inspired me to become an epidemiologist.
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
I tend not to vacation consistently in the same place as I love to travel to new destinations. I do, however, have a soft part in heart for the village of Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico, as I collect pottery from there and am friends with a number of the potters.
What do you see as the biggest obstacle facing epidemiologists in the next five years?
The field has changed a lot during the course of my career. Certainly reduced funding and the inability to launch large-scale field efforts will change the course of future events and opportunities.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have a collie rescue dog named Tucker.
Outside of epidemiology what do you enjoy doing?
I love to travel, particularly to places that many would consider off the beaten path.
Why did you join SER? What keeps you coming back?
I think it is a great organization that retains a focus on some of the essentials of the field, such as the proper conduct of large-scale investigations.
What advice do you give students who want to become epidemiologists?
Make certain that at some point in your career you actually have the opportunity to perform field work. This will give you a new appreciation for data analysis.
What is something that not many people know about you?
After completing my Ph.D. degree at Hopkins, I spent a year in Oxford, where I worked with and lived in the home of Sir Richard Doll.
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Irene H Yen, Ph.D., MPH Associate Professor |
What sparked your decision to become an epidemiologist?
I studied microbiology and political science as an undergraduate! While it seemed to everyone to be an odd combina-tion at the time, in retrospect it isn't too far from public health, understanding political economy and microbes and what they do all at the same time. I wanted to learn research methods to be able to adapt to multiple interests. I didn't have a specific disease in mind. Originally I was interested in primary health care in less developed settings. Later I became more generally interested in prevention and inequities.
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
I don't really have a favorite. I would love to go to Cinque Terre, Barcelona, and Turkey. These are at the top of my "list."
What do you see as the biggest obstacle facing epidemiologists in the next five years?
This one is easy - funding!
Personal History...
My parents were both born and raised in China. My father's side stayed on the mainland. My mother's side moved to Taiwan. They met at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Even if they wanted to go back to China after they finished their studies, they would have faced political problems because of my mother's families affiliations, i.e. with the Kuomintang. My father was a math professor. I grew up in East Lansing, Michigan. I'm a Midwesterner!
Do you have any pets?
We have a pet turtle.
Outside of epidemiology what do you enjoy doing?
I have been dancing Argentine tango for about 15 years. I also like to cook, bake, read, and eat.
Why did you join SER? What keeps you coming back?
I joined as a graduate student. I see it as my professional "home." Early on there weren't so many sessions that related to my areas of interest. Together with several others, we requested some sessions on social epidemiology with invited speakers. Several years in a row, Pat O'Campo and I have advertised for a session on race and class inequalities. Now there seems to be plenty of social epidemiology-related content at the annual meetings.
What advice do you give students who want to become epidemiologists?
It's a great field, with new things going on all the time. Establish relationships with people who can mentor you; meet with them regularly. Think about what your purpose is in the field. Do you want your research to be translated? into clinical practice? into policy? If so, think about the collaborations that can serve that pur-pose.
What is something that not many people know about you?
I've started a Facebook page about Complete Streets - it's about local