Public Health Careers podcast episode with Kene Orakwue, MPH
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📲Kene Orakwue, MPH

Kene Orakwue, MPH is a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, They have worked on a range of projects related to health equity and structural racism.

Kene is a reproductive justice and health equity scholar and practitioner dedicated to the dismantling of oppressive systems. She is fascinated by the ways in which our social structures and policies deny or grant access to, and quality of, health for certain populations. She plans to apply her findings to real-world initiatives to improve the outcomes for Black birthing people.

She conferred a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Services from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management also from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Currently working towards her PhD in Health Services Research with an area of emphasis in Sociology of Health and Illness from University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

In today’s episode you’ll hear and learn more about
1. Kene’s journey into public health being influenced by person experiences
2. Reproductive justice as a framework that addresses systemic barriers
3. How a 4 + 1 Master of Public Health was so helpful in their focus
4. How their research experiences have developed and evolved through academic experiences
5. Why they are getting formal training in qualitative research and how it enhances research rigor

And much, much more!

Chapters:
@0:00 Trailer
@3:02 How do you identify & tell us a little about your personal background?
@5:03 Navigating pushback in equity and anti-racism advocacy
@9:52 What systemic changes are needed for equitable healthcare access?
@13:50 How can research institutions drive racial equity in healthcare?
@17:55 What does public health mean to you?
@18:50 B.S. in Public Health Services (Global Women’s Health) – UMass Amherst
@28:26 Any undergrad takeaway(s)?
@30:34 MPH in Health Policy and Management also from University of Massachusetts Amherst
@36:47 PhD in Health Services Research & Policy (Sociology of Health) –
@43:14 Currently a Graduate Research Assistant
@ 54:34 Where can people connect with you and where would you like to see yourself in the future?
@56:17 The Furious Five

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Public Health Careers podcast episode with Bryce Takenaka, MPH, CPH
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📲Bryce Takenaka, MPH, CPH on LinkedIn

Bryce Takenaka, MPH, CPH is PhD student in Public Health: Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale School of Public Health while also being Founder and Director of REACH (Research & Education Advancing Community Health Equity)

Bryce is also a Research Fellow through the Yale AIDS Prevention Training Program at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS.

He conferred a Bachelor’s in Public Health from Lindenwood University. He then got his Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at Saint Louis University. He is a current PhD in Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale University. As well as a student in a Master of Arts in History of Science and Medicine.

In today’s episode you’ll hear and learn more about
1. His journey to becoming a PhD student in Social and Behavioral Science and the challenges that come with that
2. His scholarship grounds critical and participatory approaches to mitigate structural place-based oppression among Black and Brown queer and transgender communities
3. How he centers community voices through his work using geospatial mixed-methods and epistemic justice-oriented approaches to inform responsible storytelling and decision-making to forward health and HIV justice.
4. Black feminism offers a lens to tackle systemic structures and advance health equity.
5. Research and mentorship are pivotal in shaping public health perspectives.
6. Public health should focus on promoting joy and liberation alongside addressing health disparities.
7. Why he created and shares knowledge on his platforms The Epic Demiologist to educate others and advocates for change.

And much more!

Chapters:
@0:00 Trailer
@3:12 How do you identify & tell us a little about your personal background?
@8:15 Spatial epidemiological research focusing on HIV risk and prevention
@10:39 Black Feminism as a guide for mixed-methods approaches.
@14:37 What does public health mean to you?
@16:25 B.S in Public Health from Lindenwood University
@24:17 Undergrad takeaways
@26:10 MPH in Epidemiology at Saint Louis University
@33:19 Founder and Director of REACH
@36:04 Graduate Takeaways
@37:20 PhD student in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale School of Public Health
@45:32 PhD Takeaways
@48:29 The Epic Epidemiologist
@51:49 M.A in History of Science and Medicine.
@56:30 Where can people connect with you and where would you like to see yourself in the future?
@58:20 The Furious Five

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in. Let's all work together towards a culture of health, wellbeing, and equity for all.

⭐⭐ SUBSCRIBE & Leave a 5-STAR REVIEW! ⭐⭐

Follow & Support:
- Join The Public Health Community

- The Public Health Millennial on IG

- The Public Health Millennial on LinkedIn

- The Public Health Millennial Website

- Omari Richins, MPH on LinkedIn

- Support on The Public Health Store

Public Health Careers podcast episode with Dr. Sitara Weerakoon, PhD MPH
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📲 Sitara Weerakoon, PhD MPH
📲 Doughnuts and Data on IG

Sitara Weerakoon, PhD MPH is a Statistical and Behavioral Epidemiologist.

She is Associate Research Scientist in the Substances and Sexual Health Lab at Yale School of Public Health and Co-founder of @doughnuts_and_data and online platform sharing all things epidemiology and statistics.

She conferred a Bachelor of Public Health and French from Austin College in Texas. Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas. PhD in Epidemiology also from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX.

In today’s episode you’ll hear and learn more about
1. Dr. Sitara Weerakoon journey as a behavioral epidemiologist focusing on substance misuse and mental health among teens
2. The value she learnt about academia through engaging in postdoctoral research
3. Tips for research writing and the rewarding process of writing papers that contribute to knowledge growth of certain topic.
4. How publicly available data can be a valuable resource for research.
5. Her thought process for thinking through her next steps in academic vs industry roles

And much much more!

Chapters:
@0:00 Trailer
@3:15 Identity and personal background
@3:58 Behavioral epidemiologist
@10:36 Lessons from sharing your PhD journey
@13:00 How has this been helpful for you
@17:12 What does public health mean to you?
@20:55 Overview of your journey up until your doctorate degree
@25:55 PhD in Epidemiology also from UT Health
@33:24 Postdoctoral Research Fellow for Yale University School of Medicine
@43:15 Adjunct Professor at Southern Connecticut State University
@44:08 Associate Research Scientist at Yale School of Public Health '
@51:11 Connect & future predictions
@53:22 The Furious Five

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in. Let's all work together towards a culture of health, wellbeing, and equity for all.

⭐⭐ SUBSCRIBE & Leave a 5-STAR REVIEW! ⭐⭐

Follow & Support:
- Join The Public Health Community

- The Public Health Millennial on IG

- The Public Health Millennial on LinkedIn

- The Public Health Millennial Website

- Omari Richins, MPH on LinkedIn

- Support on The Public Health Store