Epidemiology

Michael S. Bloom, PhD, MS, FACE

College of Science

College of Public Health

Press Releases

Lyme disease

Romanian researchers shared their environmental epidemiology research with doctoral students

Taylor Thomas — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:45:39 +0000

Romanian researchers shared their environmental epidemiology research with doctoral students Taylor Thomas Tue, 10/25/2022 - 10:45

In This Story

Associate Professor of Global and Community Health Michael Bloom’s work with international scholars is a testament to Mason’s position as global research university

Michael Bloom, associate professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, recently hosted research colleagues from Romania who shared their research on environmental epidemiology with PhD students. Eugen Gurzău, MD, PhD, and Iulia Neamtiu, MD, PhD, are physician/researcher faculty at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu” in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. They presented on various topics including air quality, arsenic exposure, and risk management for exposures to environmental cancer-causing agents.

Bloom is a strong advocate for the value that international engagements add to public health.

“It is beneficial for PhD students to learn about the environmental epidemiology research taking place in other parts of the world, to meet investigators with a different perspective on environmental and epidemiologic research,” said Bloom.

Michael Bloom and PhD students with Romanian visitors

Gurzău and Neamtiu primarily discussed their work with the Schools Indoor Pollution and Health Observation Network in Europe (SINPHONIE) and the European Coordination Action on Human Biomonitoring (COPHES). The partnerships between these researchers and Bloom bring forth information that have the potential to guide policy regulations aimed toward the improvement of air and water quality.

After meeting at a conference in Romania in 2008, Bloom has worked alongside Gurzău and Neamtiu on research involving the effect of groundwater arsenic contamination on pregnancy and birth outcomes. They have received funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Fulbright Scholar Program. Bloom, Gurzău, and Neamtiu’s most recent research on birth outcomes in relation to arsenic and genetic susceptibility is being supported by an extramural research grant from the Romanian government.

Topics

Environmental Health and Safety

Global Health

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

CHHS Research

Air Pollution

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 09 May 2022 20:18:57 +0000

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics Mary Cunningham Mon, 05/09/2022 - 16:18

Dr. Germaine Louis gives a patient a COVID-19 vaccine at the Mason and Partners Clinic vaccination event with Prince William Health District on February 23, 2021.

As Dean Germaine Louis retires at the end of the 2021-22 school year, we reshare this story where she reflects on the similarities in the beginning and end of her career.

When Germaine Louis became Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, she never envisioned serving during a pandemic like COVID-19. “Certainly, when I accepted the position in 2017, a pandemic was not on my horizon—what was on my horizon was bringing together the College’s faculty, staff, and students to become a college of public health.”

When asked about leading the future college of public health during COVID-19, Louis is quick to point out that the COVID-19 is not the first pandemic in her lifetime or her 30+ year career as an epidemiologist, referencing the AIDS pandemic which peaked in the U.S. while Louis was completing her graduate studies. “Becoming an epidemiologist during the AIDS pandemic was impactful for me on so many levels, as this new infectious agent disproportionately took the lives of young men and women. I sadly recall the stereotyping and other shaming actions on the part of some towards affected individuals. As a reproductive epidemiologist, I understood why individuals with risky behaviors were often being blamed for their disease, and I recall with great pride the many scientific advances that led to successful treatment and a more compassionate understanding of AIDS."

“Of course, COVID-19 is very different from AIDS in many regards with a larger susceptible population and its airborne transmission,” says Louis. Still, COVID-19 is an important reminder why public health is essential for contemporary life. “COVID-19 has taught us that it’s almost impossible to imagine a world without a strong public health infrastructure to protect the health and safety of all people.”

Louis credits the College's faculty, staff, students, and alumni for their many contributions in fighting COVID-19 and protecting communities, saying “I’ve been incredibly impressed with everyone in the College each of whom has stepped up to make sure we deliver on our academic mission and one that includes practice and community service.”

Leading by example, the Dean has also been active in the University’s response to COVID-19 – from helping develop Mason’s randomized surveillance testing plans to administering vaccines for the community at the Mason and Partner Clinics. Louis can clearly see how her early career as a nurse and then as an epidemiologist led to this moment.

“I used to tell my nursing colleagues that being a nurse made me a better epidemiologist. What I’d learned in a hospital setting really helped me design better study protocols when focusing on clinical populations. I could think about what it meant to implement a research protocol in a hospital setting for busy nurses and physicians or patients under varying stages of duress. And I really do think that my experience as a nurse was formidable in the success that I experienced with clinical studies (e.g., Buffalo Women’s Health Study, ENDO Study, and NICHD Fetal Growth Study). What I didn’t expect at the time was that I would be using some nurse skills as an epidemiologist in responding to a pandemic,” says Louis.

She reports that prior to volunteering at the MAP Clinic vaccination events, after years of not administering an intramuscular (IM) injection, she was required to refresh her injection skills and have her competency checked. “All of a sudden, I was very anxious about vaccinating after years of not doing so as some technical guidance had changed. Mason’s student nurses were a great source of reassurance, and they shared tips with me. I have found that early training really never leaves you, and it kicked in when I needed it most. It does remind me of the importance of lifelong learning.

Louis shares a story about an opportunity to also bring her training in reproductive epidemiology to bear while vaccinating a group of early childhood workers. A young female worker asked if Louis had a few moments to talk with her after her vaccination. She wanted advice on when to safely begin trying for pregnancy following her vaccination. “And I thought, 'Now that is something I know about,’” said Louis.

Dr. Germaine Louis began her career in nursing before becoming an epidemiologist.

After 30 years as a reproductive epidemiologist and working with couples trying for pregnancy, she was reminded how desperate people are for reliable information about pregnancy-related exposures and lingering data gaps. “My advice to her was that healthy pregnancies and babies start with healthy women and mothers. And, first and foremost, unless there is a contraindication from her physician, the woman was doing the right thing to ensure her own health by being vaccinated. I could see the woman’s smile behind her mask and knew there was a good chance she would take that message back to sisters, friends, and coworkers who may have similar questions about the vaccine.”

“It is rewarding to think about taking nursing skills to epi and now epi skills back to nursing,” says Louis.

When asked for advice she would share with future generations of men and women about empowering women who wish to make history in science, health, and leadership - Louis’ response is simple and clear: mentorship.

“I know what made a difference it made in my life – and that was having a mentor (who happened to be a man) who believed in me. When I was worried about finishing my dissertation, he was already talking about my first faculty appointment—before I was even thinking about a position. When I was in my first faculty position and worried about tenure, he was already talking about my next career move. Having someone believe in you or to see something in you that you may not see in yourself is impactful - you need to pay attention to that.”

Louis believes that academicians have an obligation to seek out students who may have natural leadership abilities or who otherwise have a skillset or narrative that sets them apart and to talk with them ... encourage them for even more. “We should support everyone, but we will always need leaders,” she says. “We also need to do a better job of cultivating hunger in our graduates. By that, I mean helping students really think about and become excited about pursuing a career beyond having a job.

Louis closed the conversation by sharing a story about Ruth Kirschstein (former director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, deputy director of National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the 1990s, and acting director of the NIH in 1993 and 2000-2002) who during a presentation to female leaders at NIH once said that women sometimes need to ‘remind people to think of you.’ “Her advice has always resonated with me,” said Louis. “It’s ok to self-nominate or to apply for positions even if not invited to do so, as long as you have the qualifications.” Louis also says that women can help others by nominating them for awards and special recognitions. “Most nominations take time and effort to do well," cautions Louis, “But, if we don't create a culture of recognition for women and for future women leaders then we will never have the same recognition as others.”

Topics

Public health leadership

College of Health and Human Services

Learn more about the fastest growing health care careers, including epidemiology.

On the Fast Track to a Master of Public Health

John Brandon Cantrell — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 17:39:57 +0000

On the Fast Track to a Master of Public Health John Brandon C… Mon, 03/07/2022 - 12:39

Master of Public Health student Nicole Sanz shares how the bachelor’s to accelerated master’s program has supported her goal of becoming an epidemiologist.

The bachelor’s to accelerated master’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a great opportunity for undergraduates that are committed to pursuing an advanced degree in public health. As an MPH student in the accelerated master’s program, Nicole Sanz is already ahead of the curve on her career path at a time when there is growing demand for public health professionals.

“I have felt challenged and motivated by the program, my professors, and my peers,” said Sanz on her experience studying public health at Mason. “While we have different concentrations and career goals, my peers and I all aspire to improve the health and well-being of the public. The public health field is growing and needs dedicated individuals to contribute to the most pressing public health problems.”

The accelerated master’s program allows highly motivated students to complete 12 credits (four courses) of advanced courses that “double-count” in both their undergraduate and graduate degree program. As a result, students in the program can earn their MPH degree in a shorter time. Sanz is in her first year of her master’s program and is set to graduate in December 2022.

Sanz dreams of being an epidemiologist and investigating infectious diseases in communities. So, when she expressed interest in a master’s degree to her academic advisor, he told her about the accelerated master’s program. “I was drawn to apply because of its financial benefits and the opportunity to experience graduate-level courses,” said Sanz. Students who pursue an accelerated pathway can reduce the overall cost of obtaining a master’s degree.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

In her program, Sanz has gained hands-on experience in academic research. Previously, she worked on a research project with former Assistant Professor Suzie Carmack where she helped research how micro-breaks in movement and mindfulness could reduce suicide risk. In a different pilot study, Sanz helped Carmack code and analyze data on a wellness training intervention. In the future, Sanz is interested in researching infectious diseases and global health solutions.

Off-campus, Sanz has continued to make an impact in her community. In September, she started an internship with Fairfax County Government. In this role, she’s had the opportunity to coordinate COVID-19 surveillance testing in addition to other health and wellness events for the county.

“Courses emphasizing social determinants of health, program implementation strategies, and epidemiological concepts helped prepare me for my internship,” said Sanz about how her degree program made her a great fit for the position.

The accelerated master's program is a unique experience that has given Sanz a variety of learning opportunities beyond the classroom. From conducting research alongside faculty to working directly in the community, the accelerated master's program is equipping her with the necessary skills to achieve a successful career as an epidemiologist.

For undergraduate students considering the accelerated master's program, Sanz suggests that students talk to their academic advisor first to see if the accelerated pathway is a good fit and to compare the benefits of the program and the non-accelerated pathway. She encourages them to speak with current accelerated master's students too.

Topics

Student Spotlight

accelerated masters

accelerated bachelor's to master's

Department of Global and Community Health

Master of Public Health

In the George

Michael S. Bloom Elected Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology

eander6 — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 17:32:17 +0000

Michael S. Bloom Elected Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology eander6 Tue, 10/19/2021 - 13:32

In This Story

Michael S. Bloom, PhD, MS, FACE

Congratulations to Michael S. Bloom, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, for being elected as a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology (FACE). The American College of Epidemiology (ACE) is the professional organization dedicated to continued education and advocacy for epidemiologists in their efforts to promote public health. Bloom’s research focuses on the effects of endocrine disrupting compounds on human reproduction and fetal development, and on the disproportionate impacts of these agents among vulnerable populations. His research has been supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Institute on Aging. In addition to being an ACE Fellow, he is a member of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, the Society for Epidemiologic Research and the Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research.

“Being elected as a fellow to the American Council of Epidemiology is a significant accomplishment for Michael and is a testament to the impact of his research on his field and in addressing health disparities. The College is very proud of this achievement,” said Carolyn Drews-Botsch, department chair.

Topics

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

faculty spotlight

As Families Look To The Start Of School, COVID Cases Are At Levels We Haven’t Seen Since April.

Jorge Garcia: Student Puts Public Health Education into Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 16:59:47 +0000

Jorge Garcia: Student Puts Public Health Education into Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic John Brandon C… Tue, 09/14/2021 - 12:59

In This Story

Jenna Krall, PhD

Master of Public Health provides knowledge and skills for hands-on role in infectious disease surveillance.

Master of Public Health (MPH) student Jorge Garcia gained valuable hands-on experience in infectious disease surveillance while working at the Fairfax County Health Department during the pandemic.

Before joining the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Mason, Jorge Garcia explored his options for graduate school programs and soon became interested in studying public health. “I first read The Hot Zone by Richard Preston, and then I knew I wanted to work with infectious disease epidemiology,” Garcia said. “I knew of people who studied at Mason and enjoyed their experience, so an MPH in epidemiology was the next logical step, and I have loved the process of striving towards my goal.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic emerging soon after he joined the program, Garcia took on a role that allowed him to gain experience in helping prevent the spread of infectious diseases while also advancing in his coursework at Mason.

In June 2020, Garcia joined the Fairfax County Health Department as a community health worker, where he connected individuals in quarantine and isolation with needed materials and resources, such as groceries, hygienic products, medicine, rental assistance, at-home COVID-19 tests, cleaning supplies, and face masks.

“I would drive to their homes and drop off requested materials, as it was our priority to meet people where they are and make sure they did not leave their home during quarantine to get essential items,” Garcia said.

Educating the Community on Vaccines

As vaccines became more readily available, Garcia transitioned to a new role as a vaccine navigator within the health department to increase vaccination rates, educate members of the community, and address concerns about the vaccine.

“As a vaccine navigator, I interact with people who may be hesitant about receiving the vaccine and educate them on the facts about the vaccines,” Garcia said. “I have worked at community events, vaccine clinics, schools, food drives, churches, and even door-to-door in this capacity. It’s always a win when you can [help] others to get vaccinated after a great conversation.”

While Garcia found the work rewarding, he spoke on how it was challenging to overcome the social determinants of health that affected the communities he served.

Overcoming Challenges

“There are many unique, invisible barriers that the LatinX community face that prevent them from accessing resources or health care,” Garcia said. “An example of one challenge I frequently overcame was transportation to a vaccine clinic. I knew of county resources that [would] pick people up and drive them [to and from] a clinic. Additionally, many did not have email, so I had all my materials printed in Spanish and delivered to their homes.”

When asked what skills he acquired from this experience, Garcia noted how the challenges only enhanced his preparations to becoming a leader in the public health field. “I have had to be flexible, resilient, and adaptable to challenges faced by the community,” Garcia said. “A lot of conversations don’t go according to plan, and learning to speak to all sorts of people has been a critical skill.”

Excelling at Mason

Reflecting back on the courses he’s taken at Mason, Garcia is confident that his classes trained him for his roles with the Fairfax County Health Department. “It feels as if what I learn in class relates immediately to work and vice versa,” Garcia said. “My epidemiology classes gave me a solid understanding for when we had our data meetings to understand trends in COVID-19 cases or vaccinations in the county and targeting areas where we could improve vaccinations.”

Garcia also noted how his biostatistics courses, such as Biostatistics for Public Health II (GCH-805), led by Jenna Krall, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, also helped him prepare for the real-world situations he encountered as a vaccine navigator.

“I love the structure of [GCH] 805 because it simulates a real-world working environment,” Garcia said. “We have learned how to use R [programming language] to work with data sets, find measures of spread, and perform statistical analyses among other things. The flexibility of choosing our hypothesis and running whatever analyses we decided upon helped me learn the material much better and felt like a project or task one would receive at work.”

After he completes his MPH degree, Garcia’s goal is to work as an epidemiologist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Pan American Health Organization(PAHO), or the National Institutes of Health (NIH). “I want to work with infectious disease surveillance in the future, and Mason has helped me in my goals thus far,” Garcia said.

Topics

DCist: Dr. Amira Roess comments on coronavirus school-related outbreaks, fast-testing and contact tracing.

eander6 — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 17:38:15 +0000

DCist: Dr. Amira Roess comments on coronavirus school-related outbreaks, fast-testing and contact tracing. eander6 Tue, 08/24/2021 - 13:38

In This Story

Amira Roess, PhD, MPH

Topics

coronavirus

College of Health and Human Services

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

Isaac Chomitz, MPH

eander6 — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 14:54:03 +0000

Isaac Chomitz, MPH eander6 Thu, 08/12/2021 - 10:54

Academic Program Coordinator, Global and Community Health

Contact Information

Email: ichomitz@gmu.edu

Personal Websites

ORCID

Biography

Isaac Chomitz is an Academic Program Coordinator in the Department of Global and Community Health. Chomitz is focused on advancing the PhD program and providing graduate students the resources they need to become leaders in public health science. Prior to coming to Mason, he worked in private and state laboratories as a microbiologist and molecular biologist.

Degrees

MPH, Epidemiology, Ohio State University
B.S., Microbiology, University of Wisconsin

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics

John Brandon Cantrell — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:57:17 +0000

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics John Brandon C… Mon, 03/22/2021 - 11:57

Dr. Germaine Louis gives a patient a COVID-19 vaccine at the Mason and Partners Clinic vaccination event with Prince William Health District on February 23, 2021.

Dr. Germaine Louis began her career in nursing before becoming an epidemiologist.

“It is rewarding to think about taking nursing skills to epi and now epi skills back to nursing,” says Louis.

Topics

Public health leadership

College of Health and Human Services

Access to Excellence podcast

Podcast - EP21: The coronavirus as Rubik's Cube, Part 1

Kristin Heydt — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 19:48:16 +0000

Podcast - EP21: The coronavirus as Rubik's Cube, Part 1 Kristin Heydt Fri, 03/12/2021 - 14:48

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Amira Roess, PhD, MPH

How could the U.S. have improved its response to the COVID-19 pandemic? In part one of this two-part series of the Access to Excellence podcast, Mason president Gregory Washington hosts CHHS epidemiologist, Amira Roess, PhD MPH, as she breaks down the many factors impacting the nation's response and recovery.

Topics

public policy