2023 MHRT Trainees

Rahilu Abdulatif
Rahilu Abdulatif, MPH Candidate, Global Health Epidemiology, University of Michigan

Site: African Population Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya

Given the low research output in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a dire need to improve researchers' capacity to produce locally relevant research. Therefore, using a mixed-method approach of collecting quantitative and qualitative data, Rahilu is analyzing the impact of short course trainings provided by the African Population Health and Research Centre (APHRC) on researchers' reactions, learning, behavior, and results.

Lindsey EnglishLindsey English, MPH Candidate, Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan

Site: African Population Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya

Lindsey has been working with the data science program and nutrition and food systems teams to complete projects related to child malnutrition, diet patterns, and morbidity and mortality in East Africa. Her work utilizes machine learning to understand and harmonize big data.

Jasmine JonesJasmine Jones, MPH in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, with a focus on Maternal and Child Health, Florida International University

Site: African Population Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya

Jasmine is gathering longitudinal mental health (MH) data, identifying the key variables, and using collected data to create an accessible Mental Health platform for African researchers to see where innovation can be implemented to improve and/or create more effective policies, interventions, and treatments.

Ang LeAng Le, MPH Candidate, Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh

Site: Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Many immigrant migrant workers travel to Thailand for working-class occupations such as factory work.  However, many of these workers face exploitation and lower quality of life compared to their native Thai counterparts.  Using data collected from immigrant migrant workers, Ang is analyzing language barriers and how this may impact their quality of life and occupational health.

Christian Pacheco

Christian Pacheco, MPH Candidate, Global Health Epidemiology, University of Michigan

Site: Universitas Gadjah Mada, Center of Health Behaviour and Promotion, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Christian is looking at the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitation within the community, specifically in regards to booster doses, to see if any new communication strategies can be presented in order to address this issue. 

Sailing TangSailing Tang, MPH Candidate, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology and MS Candidate, Geospatial Data Science, School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan

Site: Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Sailing is investigating pesticide exposure effects on potential liver and kidney diseases in Northern Thai farmers.  

Jennifer Landeta VidalJennifer Landeta Vidal, MPH Candidate, Epidemiology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Site: Institute of Nutrition & Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

Jennifer is exploring whether exposure to early psychosocial adversity (e.g., child abuse and neglect, witnessing family violence, having a parent with untreated mental illness, financial distress, etc.) confers greater vulnerability to obesity-induced accelerated aging. 

Manar ZoulfikarManar Zoulfikar, BS Candidate, Biomolecular Science, The University of Michigan- Ann Arbor

Site: ACCESS, Dearborn, Michigan

Manar is working to identify whether HPV self-collection sampling is a viable strategy to prevent cervical cancer in the Arab American population in Michigan.