CHHS Students in Action

#VotingisSocialWork campaign across Mason’s campus aims to increase student voters this election

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 16:49:18 +0000

#VotingisSocialWork campaign across Mason’s campus aims to increase student voters this election Mary Cunningham Wed, 10/26/2022 - 12:49

In This Story

Emily Ihara, PhD, MSW, FGSA

Master of Social Work Student Association Members promoted #VotingisSocialWork with chalk art throughout Mason's campus. Photo by Michelle Thompson.

The national campaign, #VotingisSocialWork, has been promoted by the ��AV student organization Masters of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) around social media and across campus encouraging students to register if they haven’t in order to vote in the November 2022 elections.

Emily Ihara, a professor and chair of the Department of Social Work within Mason's College of Health and Human Services, said the student group’s goals include sharing tools to raise awareness about registration and voting with both the public at large and social workers in particular.

“Social work is part of public health and public health is part of social work. They both can work together to solve the world's problems in a way that creates a healthier community worldwide,” said Katreena Blazewicz, MSWSA treasurer.

The group’s 34 members have promoted voting and answered questions about registration, translation, and transportation, sharing voter resources such as QR codes.

“We were inspired by a couple of factors: the [Oct. 8] Women’s March was coming and we had just visited the Lucy Burns Museum, where the women suffragettes for were imprisoned for protesting for women’s rights to vote,” said Laura Lento, secretary of the MSWSA.

“The Women’s March highlighted so many issues, including international issues,” Blazewicz said.

November 8 is election day. In Virginia, the in-person early voting registration deadline is Nov. 5. All absentee ballots must be turned in by Nov. 8, by 7 p.m. if submitted in-person.

“We need to not only vote, but get more social workers in government and willing to help work on policies,” said Blazewicz. “What we deal with every day as social workers is incredibly impacted by the laws and can make our jobs harder.”

Social work takes on macro societal issues and ultimately aims to defend the rights of their clients and their communities, group members said.

“We are promoting social justice and making sure that we're protecting those who are marginalized. That’s the whole purpose of social work,” said Anna Christopher.

"What is not possible now, with advocacy, hopefully we can make possible,” said Lento.

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MS in global health student Abby Lilak investigates disease transmission with EcoHealth Alliance

Taylor Thomas — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 14:18:12 +0000

MS in global health student Abby Lilak investigates disease transmission with EcoHealth Alliance Taylor Thomas Thu, 09/29/2022 - 10:18

Mason’s MS in global health primes future graduates for frontline public health initiatives

Abigail Lilak, MS Global Health. Photo by Emma Anderson.

This summer, Abigail Lilak, who is in her second year of the MS global health program, worked in conjunction with EcoHealth Alliance to conduct research on processing water, tick, soil, and leech samples in Kenya. With Mpala Research Centre, a research center based in central Kenya, Lilak worked on a program to detect, predict, and contain illnesses spread between people and animals, also known as zoonoses.

Lilak credits her courses for laying a strong foundation to work with EcoHealth. The MS in Global Health in the College of Health and Human Services teaches students epidemiology, biostatistics, sociocultural influences on health and behavior, global health systems, communicable and non-communicable diseases of global importance, and migrant health. Graduates are prepared to be leaders in global health-related research.

“I went to Kenya to help implement the water processing protocols,” Lilak said. “For EcoHealth, I focused on the water samples. I conducted lab work which consisted of filtering samples, homogenization, extraction, and eventually DNA sequencing. I was also able to participate in field work and sample collections.”

With guidance from her mentors Yvonne Linton, PhD, Michael von Fricken, PhD, Maureen Kamau, DVM, Dawn Zimmerman, DVM, and Brian Bourke, PhD, Lilak participated in field work and sample collections using advanced technologies. MinIONs, for example, is a device that makes it possible to process DNA information in real-time. Lilak’s research methods included metagenomic sequencing, a technique that allows researchers to identify the genetic material of environmental microbes with very little prior knowledge. In Kenya, this was useful for finding common pathogens like African tick-bite fever and East Coast fever.

“My classes have been key to understanding essential concepts related to the project such as OneHealth,” said Lilak. “The courses will also help me in the future with data analysis and management and making sure that I am able to present findings in a clear and concise manner.”

Lilak conducts fieldwork. Photo provided.

OneHealth focuses on the importance of the roles humans, animals, and the environment play in the transmission of diseases and the management of zoonotic events. Lilak’s specific research sought to probe into how ticks or livestock waterholes may be reservoirs of infection. Because people and animal life cohabitate in the landscape, it is important to pinpoint how and where the disease transmission is occurring in order to effectively mitigate infection exposure.

Lilak was encouraged to apply to EcoHealth one of her mentors Michael von Fricken, an associate professor in the Department of Global and Community Health. Along with other graduate and undergraduate students, Lilak was a part of von Fricken’s Public Health Study Abroad course that took them to Laikipia, Kenya, to study tick dragging and water filtration.

“Mason’s MS in Global Health helped me realize the impact I could have on public health even as a student and connected me with great resources and programs that allow me to gain real-world research experience,” said Lilak “In March, I attended Mpala with other Mason students. If I hadn't experienced that course, I don't think I would have been able to accomplish what I did this summer.”

In addition to EcoHealth, Lilak worked with many other prominent organizations within public health. Partners of the project included Navy Medical Research Center (NMRC), Navy Entomology Center of Excellence (NECE), Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU), Smithsonian Institute, Mpala Research Centre and University of Norte Dame.

After the conclusion of her work in Kenya, Lilak presented her research alongside her cohort of EcoHealth. Participants with diverse topics were able to share their findings via Zoom.

Now that her research with EcoHealth is complete, Lilak intends to use an aspect of her water research for her master’s thesis. She is hopeful that this experience will lead to other opportunities to conduct global health research with many different organizations. Lilak is also looking forward to continuing her work at the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit (WRBU).

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Social Work Integrative Research Lab Supports Social Work Students’ Career Development

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 20 May 2022 15:02:42 +0000

Social Work Integrative Research Lab Supports Social Work Students’ Career Development Mary Cunningham Fri, 05/20/2022 - 11:02

According to a new study by Social Work Associate Professor JoAnn Lee, the research, leadership, networking, and career skills students learned in SWiRL have benefited them professionally.

Students and faculty work in the Social Work integrative Research Lab (SWiRL).

The College of Health and Human Services’ Social Work integrative Research Lab (SWiRL) was created to improve undergraduate students’ research skills, and a new alumni survey highlights how they learned professional and career skills beyond research in the collaborative lab.

SWiRL supports Bachelor of Social Work students in conducting research and allows Master of Social Work students to mentor undergraduate students. The lab also provides social work faculty and students with different interests to collaborate and learn from each other. Most other research labs are centered on a substantive topic, whereas SWiRL incorporates faculty with a range of different research topics and is connected by a shared focus on skill development among students.

“A majority of social work students are interested in clinical practice, not research, so we set up SWiRL to expose more students to the benefits of social work research. With data from the first four years of the program, it is great to see that alumni have used the skills they learned in SWiRL to support not only research, but other professional aspirations,” said Social Work Associate Professor and one of SWiRL’s founding faculty JoAnn Lee.

Alumni responses showed that participating in SWiRL increased the value they placed on research; taught them how to integrate research into practice; and provided leadership development, confidence building, and community. The alumni reported that they developed a range of non-research skills that help them in their current jobs, including creative problem solving, patience, accepting direction from others, taking responsibility for tasks, and written communication. Their experiences in SWiRL also contributed to their identity development, both as a social worker and as a researcher.

Students work in SWiRL.

“Participation in SWiRL includes learning about the range of topics and methods that social work research covers as well as feeling like part of a community. The range of topics is an important aspect of students’ experiences because it contributes to their identity development as a social worker as they are exposed to the variety of possibilities within the social work field,” said Lee. Topics have included foster youth aging out of care, trauma and horticulture therapy, advance care planning for end-of-life, kinship care and program development, prevention and intervention of interpersonal violence, immigrant integration, and music and memory intervention for older adults.

Teaching Note—Student Satisfaction with an Integrative Research Learning Environment was published in The Journal of Social Work Education in February 2022. In addition to Lee, authors include graduate research supervisor Maya Mohindroo, assistant professor Eric Waithaka, undergraduate research assistant Ellen Carlson, graduate research supervisor Jonea Ahouissoussi, undergraduate research assistant Sara Alhassani, graduate research supervisor Kendall Barrett, graduate research supervisor Maxine Eber, undergraduate research assistant McKenzie Lauber, Department of Social Work Chair Emily S. Ihara, all from ��AV.

The Department of Social Work began SWiRL in 2015 and faculty members have presented on the lab model at the Council of Social Work Education and published about it previously in 2017.

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GCH Senior Magaly Cabrera-Ortiz Earns Fulbright Scholarship

Mary Cunningham — Tue, 17 May 2022 18:28:42 +0000

GCH Senior Magaly Cabrera-Ortiz Earns Fulbright Scholarship Mary Cunningham Tue, 05/17/2022 - 14:28

Graduating senior embodies how Mason prepares students to be global leaders

The College of Health and Human Services is proud to congratulate Magaly Cabrera-Ortiz on receiving a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in the Czech Republic. Cabrera-Ortiz graduates in May 2022 with her Bachelor of Science in Global and Community Health.

Each year, a select group of students are chosen from thousands of applicants for this prestigious honor to conduct research, pursue graduate studies, or serve as English Teaching Assistants in one of the 140 countries that partner with the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

“The Fulbright experience is a good use of a gap year while I apply to medical school,” said Cabrera-Ortiz. “As a minority student, I always want to go further and pave the way for other students. It’s going to be a good experience because I’ve never been to Europe.”

What Does It Take to Earn a Fulbright?

For her specific program, Cabrera-Ortiz will be working as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at Nursing School Jindrichuv Hradec in the Czech Republic. In addition to exceptional academic performance, Fulbright Scholars are students who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and a desire to use this experience for the betterment of their communities.

A natural leader, she plans to draw upon her experience as the president of Patriots for Health Assistance, a health care volunteer, and a program organizer of the Honors College Recruitment Team; working at the Athletic and Fitness Center; and being an AVID Tutor and an assistant cross-country coach at a local high school.

“I enjoy working with high schoolers because I remember being in their shoes,” Cabrera-Ortiz said. “Being the individual that can remind students of their potential and be a cheerleader in that regard, supporting their growth.” She plans to use this experience while working with nursing students in the Czech Republic.

Cabrera-Ortiz encourages her peers to take risks and reach outside their comfort zone, “When you come across an opportunity, apply for it, and do not automatically eliminate yourself from the opportunity without even having strived for it.”

Combining Clinical and Community Health

Mason’s Bachelor of Science in Global and Community Health prepares students with the knowledge and understanding of community and public health systems, issues and policies related to health promotion, and health education and disease prevention in populations of all sizes.

After serving in the Czech Republic, Cabrera-Ortiz plans to go to medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. In addition to becoming a physician, Cabrera-Ortiz has a desire to serve her community, and her GCH degree will help her succeed.

“Being a doctor is more than giving a prescription,” she said. Growing up in the Hispanic culture, Cabrera-Ortiz wants to be a role model for the youth in her hometown and work to lessen the health disparities among low socio-economic minorities. “With my childhood experiences, my mission is to use my voice as a provider and advocate for our communities and treat each person as an individual.”

On behalf of the Mason Nation, congratulations to Cabrera-Ortiz on winning the Fulbright and we wish her the best of luck in all future endeavors.

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Tick Dragging and Water Filtration—Not Your Typical Spring Break

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 16:58:47 +0000

Tick Dragging and Water Filtration—Not Your Typical Spring Break Mary Cunningham Mon, 04/25/2022 - 12:58

Global Health Alternative Spring Break class gives students hands-on infectious disease research experience in Kenya

What did you do over spring break? “Tick dragging and water filtration” is not an answer you’ll hear often, but 11 students in Michael von Fricken’s GCH 491/GCH 591 Public Health Study Abroad course did just that in Laikipia, Kenya.

Participants included undergraduate and graduate students and ranged from those hoping to confirm their chosen career path to those looking to dig deeper into the global health path they are on. Students studying community health, science, bioengineering, environmental science, and biodefense participated in the course subtitled “Research Methods of Vector-borne Disease Surveillance.” Additionally, two PhD students from the Institute of Primate Research participated.

“I wanted to figure out what I wanted to do with my career. Infectious diseases interested me and I wanted to see what was out there and how it translated into a career,” said Marcara Wright, a sophomore a Global and Community Health major.

Abby Lilak and Marcara Wright working on a water filtration system

Students studied mosquito and tick vector-borne diseases and water filtration of East Africa. Their work contributed to ongoing research that von Fricken, assistant professor in Mason’s Department of Global and Community Health, is participating in, with partners in Kenya (Mpala Research Centre) and at the Smithsonian Institution Global Health Program. Students took part in a Department of Defense-funded effort to collect leeches, ticks, water, and soil samples from shared waterholes on ecologically protected grasslands using a One Health approach. By sampling at the human/wildlife/environmental interface, students were learning firsthand about transmission pathways for emerging zoonotic diseases while participating in ongoing surveillance efforts being carried out in Kenya.

“This was my first time tick dragging [collecting ticks by dragging a cloth through the environment]. We went to a watering hole and we dragged for ticks. I didn’t know that ticks could be so small, and it was hard to find them,” said Wright. “We were looking for ticks to analyze them to determine how they are affecting the population and to look for any emerging diseases that might be coming up through the ticks to the human population. This is important to try to get ahead of any diseases so that they will not affect the population so harshly.”

Students spent eight days camping and working on protected Kenyan conservation ranches.

Students spent eight days camping and working on protected Kenyan conservation ranches being trained in field and lab techniques specific to surveillance of vector-borne diseases (such as African tick-bite fever and East Coast fever) and bacteria and viruses that might be circulating in waterholes where multiple domestic and wildlife species congregate. They examined the biological, social, and environmental risk factors of disease exposure in an international setting.

“This work is meant to give a quick response to monitoring what is present in environments and how that can relate to other animals or communities that interact animals or these environments,” said Abby Lilak, a first-year student in the master of science in global and community health program. “For example, if there is a large number of pathogens found in the ticks, providing findings and additional education about pathogens to pastoralists would be a way of informing populations which may be affected.”

In addition to looking for diseases in ticks, they also took water samples in order to look for bacteria or viruses that may transfer from the water to animals, and eventually to humans.

“Before the trip I attended trainings at the Naval Medical Research Center, so in Kenya I [led] the water filtration project. I was very fortunate to have three Mason students who decided to learn about the filtration system and help me record samples, run filtrations, and troubleshoot challenges,” Lilak continued. “Within our trip, each of them could efficiently run water filtrations by themselves. Having a lovely experience with equally eager students while being able to have time to laugh and joke was one of my favorite memories.”

Having the opportunity to work directly in an international setting improved students’ cultural competency, helped build their research confidence, and reiterated the importance of understanding the drivers behind emerging diseases.

Abby Lilak with a water filtration system.

“I learned a lot of technical skills and the ability to collaborate and adapt together as a group. Having an environment of students and professionals all with a passion for infectious disease allows you to challenge your perceptions and gain deeper understanding by interacting with each other,” Lilak said.

Students also appreciated being able to explore the culture in Keyna outside of the lab. From the food to the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, home to the endangered Mountain Bongo, students explored Kenya alongside local scientists, creating an opportunity for cross-cultural exchange.

Von Fricken previously taught this alternate spring break course twice prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has been on hold for the past two years. Though the pre- and post-departure protocols are much more detailed than before the pandemic, von Fricken and his students were able to do similar global research work that they were doing in 2019.

Though it wasn’t the typical spring break, students on the trip learned a lot and returned more energized to continue their studies.

“All the work done during this trip is related to One Health, which is an approach that makes you look at the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and environment and how that pertains to health. In the future, I would like to return to East Africa and conduct surveillance work on infectious diseases with a strong One Health approach. This trip remotivated me to continue my career path,” said Lilak.

“I definitely learned global health something I want to do for a living, and might even go for my master’s. I know now that I want to work with infectious diseases,” Wright said.

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Rising Health Leaders at Mason Cultivated Leadership Skills by Organizing Annual Symposium

John Brandon Cantrell — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 13:10:44 +0000

Rising Health Leaders at Mason Cultivated Leadership Skills by Organizing Annual Symposium John Brandon C… Thu, 04/07/2022 - 09:10

Mason student group hosted a successful networking event for students in the DMV area.

As president of Rising Health Care Leaders at Mason (RHLM), Akshaya Chinnathevar Ramesh’s main goal for the 2022 RHLM Spring Symposium was to help other students make connections that will benefit their future careers as health care leaders. Along the way, she also strengthened her own leadership skills. The Symposium gave students from Mason and neighboring universities opportunities to strengthen their professional relationships and learn from local professionals on critical topics affecting today’s health care industry.

Chinnathevar Ramesh, a student in the Master of Health Administration program, led the RHLM leadership team to create a successful spring event. In addition to Chinnathevar Ramesh, the RHLM leadership includes Diba Osmanzada, Karan Khushal, Veronica Desper, and Kirstyn Nero.

Chinnathevar Ramesh aspired to become the RHLM president so she could help fellow students accelerate their futures careers through additional support and networking opportunities.

“I know what it is like to struggle beginning [a new program], being confused, and not knowing where to start,” Chinnathevar Ramesh said. “That is when the RHLM Symposium helped me and gave me the needed guidance, which inspired me [to join RHLM]. I felt the need to be a part of RHLM and help students looking for career opportunities like me. I also wanted to take the organization forward by adding my strengths and values.”

To ensure a successful day of networking and professional development, RHLM members spent over five months organizing and planning the event, which involved outreach, event promotion, and partnering with the National Center of Health Education to determine the panel topics. The event reached registration capacity within three days of the registration opening.

Over 120 people attended the Symposium, which included three-panel presentations from the area’s leading experts in health management on crisis management, implicit bias, and emotional intelligence and two resume review sessions for students preparing to enter the health care field. The event also featured the announcement of two services awards, including an alumni honorarium.

In the spirit of helping others, RHLM donated the extra food from the event to local housing shelters.

For Chinnathevar Ramesh, the opportunity to lead others throughout the planning process was a new experience that strengthened her skill set as a leader.

“Empathy is something I always value and believe is a must-have of any leadership,” said Chinnathevar Ramesh. “I got to know my team and the situation around them, and I learned to be more empathetic of the happenings and other individuals.”

The experience also helped her improve skills relating to active listening, accountability, and making strategic decisions.

“I felt like I had a crash course of my strategic management course,” said Chinnathevar Ramesh. “Strategic thinking and decision-making are two skills that have gone up a level from this experience.”

Chinnathevar Ramesh plans to apply the skills she obtained throughout her involvement in the health administration program and as the RHLM president to work in strategic management and operations, with the goal of becoming a chief operating officer of a company one day.

For students interested in joining RHLM, the group encourages students from any program to get involved. “We are the most active academic organization, and if any student thinks ‘I am not sure of what to do next about my career or where to begin,’ RHLM will be their guiding light,” Chinnathevar Ramesh said.

Learn more about RHLM here.

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