Christian Conger
Mentors: Dr. Linda Cottler
What do you look forward to most as a future epidemiologist and your career in epidemiology?
As a future epidemiologist, I most look forward to contributing to interventions that bring lasting positive change on the world. Ever since I was young, I always promised myself whatever career I took, it would have to be something that helped people, and naturally that’s the thing I’m still the most excited about today!
What inspired you to study epidemiology?
As far as what inspired me to study epidemiology, it was actually a small elective class that I took the senior year of my undergraduate studies. I had always been interested in diseases, and epidemiology was on my radar at the time, but what really convinced me to study it full-time was a class on various different diseases and the biology and patterns of the bugs that spread them. It’s still one of my favorite classes to this day, and it thoroughly convinced me that working with diseases is something I wanted to do for a full-time career.
Kayla McNeely
Mentors: Dr. Natalie Chichetto
What do you look forward to most as a future epidemiologist and your career in epidemiology?
I most look forward to having an impact in the field by conducting research on the syndemic effects of drug use, infectious and chronic diseases to improve the health of multiple communities. I hope to inspire the next generation of epidemiologists by becoming a professor and independent researcher in my future career.
What inspired you to study epidemiology?
I was inspired to study epidemiology through my work with people living with HIV. I witnessed stigma and injustices that are tied to a positive diagnosis, negatively affecting all aspects of a person’s character and health. A unique aspect of the field of epidemiology is the ability to impact health on a structural and personal level through various types of research. I felt called to work in this field to improve the health of communities as a Ph.D. Student and NIDA T32 Predoctoral Fellow.