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New TB research center
Supported by P30 funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Emory and three other institutions will form the Emory/Georgia Tuberculosis Research Advancement Center (Emory/Georgia-TRAC). Led by Neel Gandhi (epidemiology) and Jyothi Rengarajan (school of medicine), Emory/Georgia-TRAC will expand collaborative multidisciplinary TB research in the US and internationally and train the next generation of TB researchers. Emory/Georgia-TRAC will include colleagues from the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Georgia Tech. It will also work closely with public health professionals in the Fulton and DeKalb county health departments and the CDC. Alliance for vaccine epidemiology
Ben Lopman (epidemiology and environmental health) and Natalie Dean (biostatistics and bioinformatics) have founded and co-direct the Emory Alliance for Vaccine Epidemiology (EAVE). Clinical development is only the beginning step in the long-life cycle of a vaccine. EAVE addresses the scientific challenges that arise after a vaccine is deployed in a population: monitoring ongoing effectiveness, assessing patterns of vaccine uptake and sources of hesitancy, modeling the dynamics of vaccine preventable pathogens, and devising the best vaccination policies. EAVE faculty are a multidisciplinary team across Emory, including the Rollins epidemiologists, biostatisticians, bioinformaticians, and global health researchers, the College of Arts and Sciences evolutionary biologists and computer scientists, and the School of Medicine immunologists and clinical epidemiologists. Redefining rest
Marissa McKool 15PH, created and hosts a podcast focused on helping fellow public health professionals avoid burnout. Her podcast, Redefining Rest Podcast for Public Health Professionals, provides accessible advice, tools, and coaching to empower members of the public health community to take more rest so they can continue to do great work without compromising themselves. |
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Carlos del Rio, professor of global health and epidemiology, executive associate dean, Emory School of Medicine & Grady Health System, and William Foege, Emeritus Presidential Distinguished Professor of International Health, have been named to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation's oldest and more prestigious honorary societies.
Sara Auld (epidemiology) received the Albert E. Levy Award for Excellence in Scientific Research. Auld impressed the University Research Committee with her outstanding scholarly work of the past few years, making significant contributions to the study of COVID-19 during a protracted pandemic, while maintaining an active and prolific research program on HIV and tuberculosis.
Kathryn Yount (global health) won the 2021-2022 Marion V. Creekmore Award for Internationalization. Yount is a leader in women’s empowerment research and is the founding director of GROW, an initiative to advance scholarship, leadership, and social change with respect to women’s and girls’ empowerment, the prevention of gender-based violence, and women’s health. | |||||
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| SUMMER 2022
Remembering Dean Surbey
It is with profound sadness that we say goodbye to our good friend and colleague, Dean Surbey, who passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 28. Dean was by my side every step of the way during my nearly 27 years at Rollins, serving much of that time as associate dean of administration and finance. I could never have asked for a more committed, resourceful, or upbeat colleague.
Dean’s many accomplishments include managing the construction projects for the Claudia Nance Rollins, Grace Crum Rollins, and R. Randall Rollins Buildings; leading, managing, and mentoring the school’s service units—totaling approximately 100 staff; leading and advocating for the construction of the ablution rooms, the prayer and meditation spaces, the first lactation space, and gender-neutral restrooms; and keeping the school in the black for 27 years. But Dean was more than his list of accomplishments. His many friends and colleagues attest to the difference he made in their lives: I will miss his larger-than-life personality, stylish clothes and accessories, and big smile and laugh.—LaDawna Jones-Rowell 09MPH I'm very grateful to count Dean among my RSPH friends. He added his heart and soul to our school, and we are the better for it. I appreciate his advice, council, and laughter through many years. Many, many thanks to a true original. You will be missed.—Lance Waller Dean was a man who enjoyed life, did not hold back from sharing his opinion, and challenged us all to think of things differently. All wonderful traits. I remember the first time I met him at one of the (ASPPH) Section’s retreats and was, frankly, intimidated by him. However, I sat with him at breakfast and before the end of the meal, I felt as if I had a new best friend. I send my deepest condolences to all the members of the Rollins community. You have lost a great colleague.—Rita Kelliher, Academics Team chief, ASPPH Dean’s love for Rollins was palpable. He was an incredible colleague who held a deep passion for supporting the interests of Rollins staff. He generally sought to represent the voices of those who were often overlooked. It was a joy to work in the office next door as there was (almost!) always positive energy coming out of his door.—Kimberly Jacob Arriola Dean was one of those people that just lit up a room as soon as he walked in. He could make you laugh until you cried. To a man who loved and cared for his community so deeply, you will be so missed.—Rachel Blumenfeld 14MPH Dean P. Dean Surbey, thank you for sharing your smile, heart, and compassion with so many!!! You will be missed and never forgotten!!—Vanda Hudson Read more tributes or leave your own here. Dean is survived by his son, Nicholas (Nick) Surbey 10C (Scottie Rowell), daughter, Kathryn (Katy) Surbey Brouse 09Ox 12C 15MPH (Jonathan), and his beloved grandchildren, Isaac and Elena. He is also survived by one sister, Janet Surbey (Mike Cook), and his best friend and ex-wife, Marilyn Surbey. Memorials may be made to Mutts with a Mission, the Atlanta Humane Society, or Chris 180. We had planned to hold Dean’s retirement party on June 23 at 4:30 in the Lawrence P. and Ann Estes Klamon Room. Instead, we will host a celebration of his life at that time. Please join us in toasting, remembering, and celebrating our good friend, Dean Surbey. On May 7, we celebrated commencement on campus for the first time in two years. The Class of 2022 earned their degrees during the public health crisis of the century—a distinction they will never forget. They matriculated during a time of increasing racism and violence in our country. And they rose to the challenges. They juggled in-person and Zoom classes, carried on election day initiatives, and were actively involved in COVID-19 testing and vaccine delivery. This will be the last commencement over which I preside, and I am going out on a high note. I couldn’t be more proud of this graduating class. The following awards were conferred at our 2022 commencement:
My Nguyen 22MPH received the Marion Luther Brittain Award for graduate students, making her the second public health recipient of the award. The honor recognizes “significant, meritorious and devoted service to Emory University with no expectations of recognition or reward.” Nguyen, who identifies as a first-generation, low-income student, has poured her energy into numerous efforts framed around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) both at Emory and beyond. Rachael Lewis 22MPH and Aliza Barnett 22MPH both received the Heart of Emory Award. This award of “highest honor” recognizes students who “truly represent the best of what Emory has been and will be.” Chenmau Yang 22MPH received the James W. Alley Award for service to disadvantaged populations. As a first-generation Hmong-American whose parents were refugees, he is deeply committed to serving people in need. Before coming to Rollins, he served in AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. While at Rollins, he helped build COVID-19 vaccine access for refugees in Clarkston, Ga. The Eugene J. Gangarosa Award for creative solutions and outstanding service in global health was presented to Yesnely Flores 22MPH. Flores worked tirelessly with Latinx families. She’s a member of the BSHES DEI working group, she co-founded the student-led La Alianza Latinx organization, served as DEI committee chair for the RSPH student government association, and is a peer mentor for first-year MPH students.
Robert Lyles (biostatistics and bioinformatics) was given the Thomas F. Sellers Jr. Award for exemplifying the ideals of public health and serving as a role model and mentor to colleagues. Lyles is known for his unassuming nature, his compassionate advice, his knowledgeable insights, and authentic mentorship. McKenzi Thompson 23MPH received the Emory Woman’s Club Scholarship, which is given each year to a continuing student who is dedicated to improving the health of women. Lauren McCullough (epidemiology) received the Provost’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education. McCullough seamlessly merges student engagement with captivating delivery of content. She molds students to be leaders in their own work and to demand excellence from themselves. The Rollins Student Government Association announced an unprecedented tie for their Faculty of the Year award—Sarah Blake (health policy and management) and Jodie Guest (epidemiology). Brandi Colon (Rollins Cafe) was given the Staff Member of the Year award.
The Charles C. Shepard Award for best RSPH thesis was presented to Lauren Nisotel 22MPH. The award is given to the graduating master's student who is deemed by the faculty to have prepared the most scholarly research paper. Her thesis is titled “Syndemic Pandemic: COVID-19, HIV, and Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Black/African Americans in Atlanta.” The following faculty were honored with Department Awards for Teaching Excellence: Natalie Crawford (behavioral, social, and health education sciences), Ramesh Manyam (biostatistics and bioinformatics), Cecile Janssens (epidemiology), Mark Conde (executive MPH), Steve Culler (health policy and management), Dabney Evans (global health), and Dana Barr (environmental health). Neel Gandhi, Emory/Georgia TB Research Advancement Center (TRAC), NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, $986,000, March 23, 2022 – February 28, 2027 Michelle Kegler, Promoting Smoke-Free Homes in Rural American Indian Households, NIH National Cancer Institute, $888,000, February 10, 2022 – January 1, 2027 Benjamin Risk, Statistical Approaches to Improving Functional Connectivity Estimates, NIH National Institute of Mental Health, $702,000, April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2027 Christine Moe, Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 and Enteric Pathogens in Environmental Samples, Rockefeller Foundation, $500,000, Continuation Solveig Argeseanu, Disparities in the Burden and Progression of Multi-Morbidity Across Adulthood, NIH National Institute on Aging, $411,000, May 1, 2022 – April 30, 2026 Travis Sanchez, Characterizing Intersecting Sexual, Gender, and Race-Based Stigmas, Johns Hopkins University, $372,000, Continuation Christine Moe, SARS-CoV-2 and Enteric Pathogen Environmental Surveillance in Dhaka Wastewater, Rockefeller Foundation, $268,000, Continuation Elizabeth Rogawski McQuade, Impact of Shigella, Rotavirus, and Other Enteric Vaccines, Wellcome Trust, $255,000, Continuation Christine Moe, Developing and Institutionalizing Environmental Surveillance, Rockefeller Foundation, $250,000, Continuation Audrey Gaskins, Extreme Heat Events and Fertility: A National Study, NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Science, $208,000, May 1, 2022 – April 30, 2024 Rollins faculty have received many other grants for research and training between February 1, 2022 – May 1, 2022. View the complete list. Faculty Promotions
Post Doctoral Fellows
Staff Promotions
New Staff |
