SUMMER 2022
Remembering Dean Surbey
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Dean Curran |
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.
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Dean Surbey |
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.
Celebrating commencement
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:
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My Nguyen |
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.
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Robert Lyles |
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.
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Lauren Nisotel |
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).
New grants 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.
Appointments and Promotions
Faculty Promotions
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Dabney Evans, Associate Professor, Global Health
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Sophia Hussen, Associate Professor, Global Health
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Hanqi Luo, Assistant Professor, Global Health
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Sheela Sinharoy, Assistant Professor, Global Health
New Faculty
Post Doctoral Fellows
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Avnika Amin, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
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Itai Magodoro, Global Health
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Tatenda Merken, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
Staff Promotions
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Sarah Anderson-Fiore, Programs Senior Associate Director, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Lisa Connor, Registry Operations Supervisor, Epidemiology
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Regis Cornett, Senior Financial Analyst, Finance and Compliance
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Rebecca Fils-Aime, Evaluation Specialist, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Wendy Gill, Project Coordinator, Global Health
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JoAnna Hillman-Steph, Evaluation Director, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Mark Hutcheson, Program Director, Global Health
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Joshua Kaufmann, Research Project Coordination Supervisor, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Dominique Lavoisier, Pre-Award III Research Administrator, Research Administration
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Erin Lebow-Skelley, Program Assistant Director, Environmental Health
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Toya Morrison, Post Award III Research Administrator, Research Administration
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Madeleine Patrick, Senior Public Health Program Associate, Global Health
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Yenawa Robinson, Research Administration Coordinator, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Gaelle Sabben, Lead Public Health Program Associate, Global Health
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Allison Salinger, Senior Public Health Program Associate, Global Health
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Lauren William, Program Coordinator, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Bjay Wylde, Chief Operating Officer, Global Health Institute
New Staff
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Hulester Bing, Business Analyst I, Student Services
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Kimberly DeWolfe, Senior Quality Control Editor, Epidemiology
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Stephanie DuBose, Program Director, Epidemiology
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Rosie Emerson, Lead Evaluation Specialist, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Krista Fanelli, Senior Public Health Program Associate, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Sarah Hicks, Administrative Assistant, Global Health
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Esther Hurlock, Program Coordinator, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Bria Jones, Human Resources Specialist, Human Resources
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Moses Kiti, Scientist, Epidemiology
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Kristi Logue, Senior Research Interviewer, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Callen Maxwell, Pre-Award II Research Administrator, Research Administration
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Stacey Paschal, Project Coordinator, Global Health Institute
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Phuc Hong Phan, Application Support Analyst II, Information Services
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Jordan Roberts, Senior Public Health Program Associate, Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences
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Rachel Robinson, Post Award II Research Administrator, Research Administration
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Lolita Stevenson, Pre-Award II Research Administrator, Research Administration
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Duncan Teague, Public Health Program Associate, Global Health
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Abigail Tighe, Public Health Program Associate, Epidemiology
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Justin Todaro, Clinical Research Coordinator II, Epidemiology
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Elaine Turlington, Tumor Registrar, Epidemiology
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Portia Twidt, Pre-Award II Research Administrator, Research Administration
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Yifan Wang, Public Health Program Associate, Environmental Health
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Haisu Zhang, Public Health Program Associate, Environmental Health
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Xiaping Zheng, Biostatistician, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
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April Zion, Assistant Epidemiologist, Epidemiology
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