What do you do at Kent State's College of Public Health?
I teach master’s and doctoral level epidemiology and biostatistics courses, and I am program coordinator for the epidemiology and biostatistics graduate programs.
What is your latest research/project?
I have a grant to test a comic book about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine in high school students. The goal is to increase HPV vaccine rates in this population.
What is your favorite teaching moment?
My favorite part of teaching is when I see that students really understand the concepts I’m teaching and aren’t just restating information. This can happen in answers to assignments or assessments or in class when they are asking or answering questions.
If you could have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick and why?
I’m assuming this means I could only have 3? The podcast app, because I have a 45-minute commute and listening to podcasts makes the drive go by fast. A messaging/texting app so I can communicate with my adult children and extended family and friends. The New York Times’ game app, so I have a variety of games to play at any time.
What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Reading an engaging book. I can sit for hours and read quietly, and it really helps me to decompress from too much sensory input during the day.
What is the last TV show or book that you read?
The Great British Baking Show, current season, latest episode.
Complete the following sentence: "Key elements of leadership include..."
…the ability to listen effectively and consider the information provided fully before acting, and identifying people’s strengths and struggles to help them succeed in their roles.
What is something that you are looking forward to both personally and professionally?
Personally, I’m looking forward to spending time with my grown children over the winter break. Professionally, implementing the research study, analyzing the data, and publishing the results.