Shiny Epi People

Season 2 finale ends with a bang! Paris "AJ" Adkins-Jackson, PhD is a multidisciplinary health equity researcher and Assistant Professor in the Departments of Epidemiology and Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University. She tells me how her career path moved from anthropology to studying impact of structural determinants of health on historically marginalized groups. She tells me about the richness of her life outside of work, including finding a home in music from childhood to today, and kicking butt boxing, We chat about looking for a co-parent, singing our grant applications, and fonts we hate. Thank you for all of your support this season! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

You will surely love today's episode with Fausto Bustos, PhD. Fausto is an infectious disease epidemiologist and an ORISE Data Science Fellow at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, where he provides data analytic expertise, computational and statistical assistance, and substantive scientific knowledge to advance their research mission. Fausto grew up crossing the southern border of the US for school every day, lived in poverty with his mother and brother, and found an escape in education. His story is stirring, but his combination of intellect, humor, and silliness makes his life so far a story of resilience.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Rachel Hardeman, PhD is nothing short of a powerhouse. She is a reproductive health equity researcher, scholar, teacher, writer, speaker, and activist. Rachel is Associate Professor and the first Blue Cross Endowed Professor of Health and Racial Equity. Division of Health Policy & Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health.  Her research links structural racism to health, identifies opportunities for intervention, and dismantles the systems, structures, and institutions that allow inequities to persist. Two of her most important roles are as PI and founder of the Measuring & Operationalizing Racism to Achieve Health Equity lab and director of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity. She has so many other roles and projects that I mention on this episode. Today, Rachel discusses what motivates her to keep doing the hard work in racial justice, what her biggest impact has been thus far in her career, and what she sees as the broader vision of her work. She also tells me about airplane snacks, Prosecco, her love of Prince (RIP), and advice for penguins. I am so very honored Rachel would find time to share with us!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Steve Mooney, PhD, is an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health. He and I have been friends since 2017, and we met because we were both in the very early stages of our divorces. On the show, we talk about how our divorce has changed our feelings about our family structure. He tells me what it's like to be a cis American man deciding to go to therapy (in a culture that tells men to ignore their feelings) and how we try to muddle through the dating apps. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Today, my chat with the amazing Maria Glymour, ScD, Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California - San Francisco. Maria tells me about being lost after college and her winding road to epidemiology, growing up in rural Oklahoma, riding cows, the Beastie Boys, a dinner party with Jaws, and the 'flavor' red. I don't think I've ever laughed this hard during an interview. Enjoy!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Tamarra James-Todd, PhD is an Associate Professor of Environmental Health at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. She tells me about the motivations for her research interests in environmental reproductive justice, dedicating her diabetes research to her late father, the value of peer mentorship, joy riding with her dad in his Mustang in the '70s, dinner with Hannibal Lecter and Molly Ringwald, and more! Laugh along with us!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Chenoa Cassidy-Matthews is a rockstar PhD student in epidemiology at the University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health.  She is a member of the Sachigo Lake First Nation, which is an Oji Cree First Nation band government in an area that colonizers now call Northwestern Ontario Canada. Chenoa  is an indigenous health researcher and epidemiologist. She studies the impacts of overdose and COVID-19 on urban Indigenous young people, and develop recommendations for a holistic, self-determined, Indigenous response. Chenoa talks with me about her Indigenous background and research and how they conflict with her current training and how she takes care of herself in a time when Indigenous Nations and Peoples' human rights are violated. Chenoa and I discuss how she pushes back on academic norms, how she stays connected to her culture, and many of the enriching outside of work activities that make her a very whole person. You'll learn something here as I did! Enjoy!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Today you hear from Whitney Robinson, PhD, social epidemiologist and all around brilliant, thoughtful, vulnerable woman. She is so well known in the public health community after her positions as a Robert Wood Johnson Health and Societies Scholar, assistant and then associate professor at UNC in the epidemiology department, and now as faculty epidemiologist in the Division of Women's Community and Population Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University School of Medicine. Whitney tells me about her recent transition to Duke, what she learned about changing jobs midcareer, how her personality matches her new job description, how male mentors shaped her training, and what makes for a good apology. Living in the pocket of a kangaroo, how she'd blow 5 grand, bad 90s fashion and more come up in our conversation. Enjoy!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

If you know my guest today, you probably know what a rock star researcher is, but you may not know much of anything personal about him. Today, Brandon Marshall, PhD, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Brown University, gives me a glimpse into his life: acting, snowboarding, home decorating, caring for 2 pugs, and stubbornly refusing to leave Celsius back in Canada. Of course, Brandon shares how he successfully manages a very large research team, cross-training staff and letting them lead, and avoiding overwhelm. Enjoy!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Today you'll hear from Dana Bernson, MPH, Epidemiologist and Director of Special Analytic Projects within the Office of Population Health at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. She tells me about her position in state government and what she finds so fulfilling about it. Dana also generously shares the story of her first husband's passing, leaving her a widow at age 29. We discuss joy and grief, her pandemic elopement, as well as being a Nashville hot chicken sandwich, her unabashed love of candy corn, the band Creed (it's a no for her!), "We Found Love in a Homeless Place", and more!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

I am happy to present to you a delightful conversation I had with Sameera Nayak, MA, who is currently a doctoral student in Population Health in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at the Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research at Northeastern University. Sameera tells me about immigrating to the US from India at 18 for college and navigating the academic system as an immigrant. She very courageously talks about past depressive episodes, her internalized stigma associated with medication use, her decision to start meds, and how they have changed her life for the better. I loved this story! Rescue dogs, cheugi (replaces cringey), eating nutella with a spoon, and bad taste in music. Enjoy! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Today, I got to enjoy an informative, hilarious, and illuminating conversation with the incomparable Roland Thorpe, Professor of Health, Behavior and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. And his newest position, which we talk about today, is as the Associate Vice Provost of Faculty Diversity. Roland also discusses his love of food and drink, Android vs. iPhone, broccoli vs. broccolini, a story of academic kindness, and more! Enjoy!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Welcome to the premier of Season 2 of Shiny Epi People! I could not find a better way to start this new season than to chat with one of my epi besties Jaimie Gradus, DSc. Jaimie is an Associate Professor at Boston University School of Public Health whose research focuses on psychiatric epidemiology. She has an impressive NIH grant portfolio, so we talk success, luck, and the lack of meritocracy in grant funding. Jaimie and I also share our best memories of the annual meetings of the Society for Epidemiologic Research, how we help each other succeed, her life growing up in the Bronx, hatred of jelly donuts and waterparks, and much more. Jaimie is so authentic and funny. You will enjoy this episode for sure! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

It is the final of the update episodes with guests from 202! Today, you hear from the hilarious Hoda Abdel Magid. Hoda is currently in the second year of her postdoc. She tells me about resubmitting her K99-R00 application, hot yoga in a hijab, a setup date in Cairo that she didn't know was a setup, surfing, therapy (a fav topic of mine!), and more! You will LOL in this one. Please enjoy, and thank you for all of your support!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Summer is nearly over, but I have two more updates of these episodes to put out! So we are going to keep calling them summer episodes! Today, you hear from two recent graduates and rising stars you first heard from in 2020: Louisa Smith, PhD, and Michelle Caunca, MD, PhD. Since her episode aired, Louisa has defended her dissertation, accepted a postdoc, participated in a triathlon, spent the summer in Switzerland, is on the dating apps, and more! Michelle updates me on her feelings of imposter syndrome in Medicine, the residency match process, how she is doing so far in her residency, moving from SoCal to NorCal, and of course her mom, the fittest mom in LA! Enjoy!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

I believe in summer through September! Here is a fourth summer bonus episode for your enjoyment! And I have a treat with the hilarious and sweet Bertha Hidalgo. Bertha was my guest back in 2020, and so many of you loved her episode then. Today's will not disappoint! Bertha and I talk about her appearance on Dancing with the Stars (local version!), managing anxiety, valuing family during Covid, and holding your breath for 4 minutes. We get updates on fungo bats, baseball, mixed drinks, and baby carrots!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

It's early September, and I'm still going to call this a summer episode! Today, you'll hear updates from Matt Fox and Mya Roberson. If you haven't listened to their original episodes way back in 2020, go have a listen. Matt and I talk some more here on kindness (or lack thereof) on Twitter, deli meat sheets, and superheroes. Mya finished her dissertation and got a faculty position since her first episode, so her update is especially great for trainees. We also meet her husband and her dogs. Enjoy this bonus!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Summer is ending, but my summer bonus episodes are not! Today, you get to hear 3 interviews which all appeared first on my Patreon as a thank you to my patrons (become one at www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople). Today, they are out for all to enjoy! You hear updates from Leslie McClure, Penny Gordon Larsen, and Hailey Banack. They all appeared on the show early in Season 1 and are here to tell you what's going on in their lives since their recording. If you didn't hear their first episodes, go back and have a listen so you can follow some of our silliness!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Hi everyone! Happy summer! I have been releasing update episodes this summer for supporters via my Patreon (www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople). I decided to publish this summer bonus episode for all listeners because it is poignant and timely. I caught up with coronavirus researcher Tim Sheahan, who recorded with me back in fall 2020, when the pandemic was raging. In this conversation, Tim gives me updates on his work in the lab and how he is managing to balance work and life. But more importantly, he shows us the emotional toll that the pandemic has taken on him, a front-line worker, and the worry he has about his unvaccinated children. It is honest and vulnerable and everything this show is about. I can't wait for you to listen and feel deeply. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Hello Shiny Epi Friends! It's August, and I have some updates about season 2, summer bonus episodes out on my Patreon (patreon.com/shinyepipeople), merch coming soon, and accepting that like all things in nature, we do not bloom year round (translation: I am getting jack shit done this summer and being kind to myself about it). Talk to you soon!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

After 40 episodes, Season 1 is a wrap! In this short episode, I share thoughts I have about the experience of launching a podcast during a pandemic, what I have learned about myself and people in public health, what I will be doing until Season 2, and where I want to go with the show. Thanks to all of the listeners who have trusted me to put together a show every week that teaches them, makes them feel and develop empathy, and adds humor and connection to their lives. Thanks to the patrons who have donated actual money to help fund this. Thanks to my amazing guests. All of you have made this show what it is. I am so overwhelmed by your love and support! Thank you!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Ken Rothman, DrPH is arguably one of the most influential living epidemiologists. Ken has been in the field for almost 50 years, conducting research, writing, and teaching. He co-authors two of the most used textbooks in epidemiology: Modern Epidemiology and Epidemiology: an Introduction. He is the founding editor of Epidemiology, a leading journal in our field. He talks with me about his ambition, his status as a 'legend' in the field (spoiler alert: he says that is patently false), writing, an award lecture gone awry, sailing, being detained by the Colombian police, "Baby Rothman," and much more!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Kemi Doll, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and an adjunct assistant professor of Health Services at the University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public Health.  She is a practicing gynecologic oncologist and health services researcher, and has her own career coaching business that helps Women of Color take control of their careers. Kemi has a new podcast called Your Unapologetic Career. Kemi tells me about the advice she gives coaching, finding the career that nourishes us, how our uniqueness is our strength, leading while learning, romance novels, pause button on life, and more. She is a powerhouse!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

John Pamplin, PhD, is an epi postdoc at NYU who studies the consequences of structural racism and systemic inequity on mental health and substance use. John earned his bachelor's degree at Morehouse College, one of the a historically Black colleges and universities in the US. John talks about how his experience at Morehouse allowed him to explore his racial identity and experience the type of mentorship he couldn't at a majority white institution. John also tells me how mentors shaped his life, and how he gives back by mentoring. We discuss John's days on his college step team, doing conferences "right" (read: having fun), gymnastics, crunchy peanut butter, and more! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Jae Downing, PhD is an assistant professor in Oregon Health and Science University - Portland State University School of Public Health. Their research explores how policies and social safety nets shape healthcare for gender and sexual minority populations.  Jae tells me how they protect research time by setting boundaries on service, the challenges and exciting aspects of studying sexual and gender minority populations, becoming a parent in the pandemic, lessons Jae and their wife learned about second-parent adoption of their son, love of rom-coms, Bridgerton, Brene Brown, and more! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/shinyepipeople)

Marcia Pescador Jimenez, PhD is currently a postdoc in Epidemiology at Harvard, and will be transitioning to assistant professor at Boston University. Her research focuses on spatial determinants of health through the lifecourse. Marcia is originally from Mexico City, and talks about challenges of writing in English and negotiating a job offer in the US. She tells me how she puts together cold emails to other researchers to ask for help, despite her imposter syndrome. We laugh a lot in this episode, including about confusion over honeydew vs. Mountain Dew, Jane the Virgin on loop, scented candles, high-waisted pants, and more!

Mercedes Carnethon, PhD, a chronic disease epidemiologist, is Vice Chair and Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University. One of Merci's favorite things about her job is helping people navigate difficult conversations and mediating those conversations. She talks about how she approaches such conversations, including how to talk with an underperforming trainee or employee. From Merci's years as NIH review panel chair and standing member, she is an expert in grant writing, and offers tips from the reviewer's perspective. We also laugh about Zoom school, RoomRater, black licorice, the Krebs Cycle, and more!

Noah Kreski, MPH trained at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and now serves as Kerry Keyes' data analyst at Columbia working on projects relating to depressive symptoms, suicidal behavior, and substance use among adolescents. Noah is also very interested in LGBTQ health justice and anti-violence. Today, Noah talks about their choice to earn their master's degree and hold off on a doctoral degree. Noah wanted to share the feelings of how academia does not always make them feel safe and welcome, and ways that might change for the better. We discuss Noah's passion for making theater and table gaming, as well as our favorite drag names, playing Golden Girls Clue, and competitive gardening.

Sarah Birken, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Implementation Science in the School of Medicine at Wake Forest University, and Sarah co-hosts the AcaDames podcast. In this sort-of Acadames-Shiny Epi People cross-over episode, Sarah tells me the pod's origin story, how she has changed as a podcaster, and what she loves and finds challenging about it. We also talk vulnerability and "radical honesty" along with knitting nothing but long strips, needing a butt emoji, judgy autocorrect, our phone obsession, and more! You can find AcaDames wherever you get your podcasts or AcaDamespodcast.com. Sarah refers to an episode of AcaDames called "Bodies." That was episode S107: Journal Club: Bodies.

The wonderful podcast AcaDames interviewed me for their show today (episode S504)! If you'd like to listen, you can find AcaDames wherever you get your podcasts or go to acadamespodast.com. We talked about my experience being divorced and a single mom of 3 kids, my choice to take a faculty position to be near my family, setting boundaries at work, how I get away with not having a lot of meetings in my day, and my love of bringing people together and making connections, through parties that I throw and (of course) Shiny Epi People!

Aisha Dickerson, PhD is an epidemiologist who studies environmental risk factors for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Aisha tells me about her long and complicated path to her faculty position and her tenacity in getting there. Her path includes partying in undergrad, being rejected by an MSPH program but convincing admissions to enroll her, receiving many rejections of applications for faculty positions, and landing at Johns Hopkins. Aisha was the mascot Blaze for the University of Alabama, auditioned for the reality show Love Connection, and can be bribed with carrot cake. You'll LOL with this one for sure!

Nur Zeinomar, PhD is a cancer epidemiologist who is an Instructor of Medicine in the Section of Cancer Epidemiology and Health Outcomes at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. She and I talk about how it does take a village to raise kids with two parents with demanding careers, and how she found that village in New York City. She also wanted to talk about her need for safe spaces to express her religion and culture, and her ultimate acceptance of her own unique qualities a Muslim Arab American. Nur tells me about her life as the default parent, her love of Syrian cooking, her "resting nice face", and much more!

Bill Miller, MD, PhD, MPH is Senior Associate Dean of Research, Professor of Epidemiology at the Ohio State University College of Public Health, and international expert in infectious disease epidemiology, and yet he describes himself as "an introverted imposter with ADD." Bill unpacks all of this, as well as being known in his family as "the dumbest smart kid" they ever knew. He also tells me about being comfortable with vulnerability, his 3-legged cat, his college athletic career, and what sports he would like to compete in if he were an Olympian.

Debbie Jakubowski is a PhD student at the University of Illinois at Chicago who credits her career in biostatistics partially to her start in the community college system. After obtaining a degree in mathematics from UC-Berkeley, Debbie got an MPH and began working at a biotech company as a statistician. She tells me the benefits and draw of working in industry, and why she will continue her work there after her PhD graduation. We also discuss her polish last name, her new @WildBoarEpi twitter account, selfies with the brain, her cat's speech impediment, and more!

Lauren McCullough, PhD is a cancer epidemiologist who has mastered what people sometimes call "soft skills" (how you work). In this episode she talks about the 3 questions to ask yourself before setting goals, how to map goals onto time allocation, and how to get what you need in a mentor. Lauren is incredibly talented in the arts, as well! She tells me about being a national champion baton twirler and bowing out of the 2nd round of auditions to be a Beyonce backup dancer so go to grad school!

Cara Eckhardt, PhD is my BFF. In part 2 of my conversation with her, Cara and I talk about our own 20-year friendship, how we have stayed close after so many years, the impact that celebrating each other's lives has helped us strengthen our connection, how adults form friendships generally, and how to not lose yourself after becoming a parent. There is also talk Flamenco singing, Sesame Street and Disney villains, my awful experience on the placebo in an allergy medicine RCT, and our epi-style Fyre Fest.The audio clips of Cara singing flamenco include fast-paced Tanguillos (a classic form of flamenco from Cadiz, Spain), slow and lovely Guajiras (an example of “ida y vuelta” flamenco showing a style that flowed to Cuba and came back to Spain with Cuban influences), as well as a cover of the song, “Naita,” a modern pop song with Flamenco influences about social disparities by the Spanish group, Ojos de Brujos.

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is an epidemiologist, physician, progressive activist, educator, author, speaker, and political contributor to CNN. Abdul holds a doctorate in public health from Oxford University, and in addition to his academic contributions, he served as Health Director in the City of Detroit. In 2018, he ran for Governor of Michigan and was endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and others. And though he earned over 340,000 votes, he finished second of three in the Democratic Primary. Abdul tells me his views on the moral imperative that epidemiologists have in advocating for public health. He also shares what he worries about, how he maintains hope, how he handles imposter syndrome, and meeting Bernie, AOC, and Cher. This episode will inspire you!

Yanica Faustin, PhD, moved from an R1 institution to a mid-sized private university where her job is mostly teaching and mentoring undergraduates in epidemiology and public health. She tells me about that choice and why she feels supported and happy there. Yanica also shares stories of her unique birthing experience, her obsession with Sims (the video game), barely tolerating her wife's love of skiing, and more!

Lorraine Dean, ScD, social epidemiologist, discusses her very winding road to epidemiology, returning to academia after 2 years in a policy position, "failing up", and the impact she wishes to have as a Black female scholar. We also talk Reader's Digest wisdom, Covid stress management, pineapple pizza, and more!

Tim Lash, ScD is a cancer epidemiologist, editor-in-cheif of a major journal in our field, editor of the primary textbook in our field, and chair of an epidemiology department. He knows epidemiology! That's why I asked him to share his most important piece of advice for epidemiologists from PhD students to full professors. Tim and I talk about the huge social we put together for the 50th anniversary of our epidemiology society, and all of the hilarious prep involved in getting a band of 30 epidemiologists to play and sing at the event. Tim also tells stories of wearing a screen door, nearly failing college physics, his big college t-shirt collection, and more!

Timothy Sheahan, PhD is a coronavirologist whose work on SARS-Cov2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) is contributing to critical and timely therapies and guidelines for public health and clinical care. Tim's appointment is within an epidemiology department! We talk about what it's like to rise to "fame" for his coronavirus research, how he keeps himself safe, and the high- and lowlights of this pandemic for his work. We also discuss making music, colonizing Mars (without the virus!), his fire obsession as a kid, and much more!

I am interested in hearing your holiday stories and if this works, I will include some of them in an episode. pleas call and share on the pod's voicemail. (929)-43-SHINY.

Cheryl Clark, DrPH is an epidemiologist who has worked in the government for over two decades. We talk about her role now improving maternal and child health programs in state health departments and her commitment to health equity. We also discuss Cheryl's amateur art hobby, drinking salsa, Don Cheadle starring in her mystery novel, and more!

Cara Eckhardt, PhD is my BFF and a nutritional epidemiologist. In this episode, Cara talks about her choice to move back to her home state and take a faculty position that focuses on teaching epidemiology to undergraduates. We also discuss her dreams of being a presidential debate moderator, Werther's originals, bralettes, soup dumplings, jaunty hats, grape flavor, and more!

Leslie McClure, PhD, Chair of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Drexel, discusses the benefits of hidden mentoring, what it feels like to be a department chair, and the impact of early-career failure on her trajectory. She also talks hot flashes, foolishly cutting her own bangs, that horse thing with Daniel Radcliffe, and more!

Louisa Smith, MS is an epidemiology PhD student at Harvard who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at age 28. After a year of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, she now has no evidence of disease! On this episode, Louisa talks about her treatment, quantifying and graphing her own data, joining a randomized trial, and thinking about her future and how she wants to spend her time now. Louisa tells me about a Modern Epidemiology textbook-yearbook, an outhouse race she won, and choosing her PhD program based on the outcome of a basketball game. Louisa is delightful, and her story is so uplifting!

Bertha Hidalgo, PhD, genetic epidemiologist, discusses how she is using her status as an Instagram influencer to promote public health and what it is like being a Latina in America and in academia. Bertha also talks about working in Dr Anthony Fauci's lab, her closet with 50 handbags, and fountain Diet Coke and baby carrots. I also give her a baseball quiz!

The pod's twitter account hit 2000 followers, and I promised my 9-year-old something special when we hit this mark. So, here is Layla Bodnar, 4th grader, the baby of 3 kids, interviewing me (and me also interviewing her). Clearly, she has potential to be a podcaster in her own right!