DrPH Students Successfully Defend Their Dissertations

By Office of the President | Apr 16, 2024

The defense of doctoral dissertations in public health marks the culmination of years of rigorous research, scholarly inquiry, and dedication to advancing the field’s knowledge base. These scholars presented their findings addressing some of society’s most pressing health challenges.

From epidemiological investigations to policy analyses, their work embodies a commitment to promoting the well-being of populations worldwide. These newly-minted doctoral students showcased their achievements and demonstrated their contributions to the collective efforts aimed at improving public health outcomes. Their works transcend academia, offering tangible solutions that can inform policy, shape practice, and, ultimately, save lives.

On behalf of our SUNY Downstate faculty, staff, and students, I extend hearty congratulations to our newest DrPHs!

Janille Williams, MPH, DrPH, defended “Disparities in Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus and Human Papillomavirus-Related Cancers Among Sexual Minorities in the United States, 2017-2020.” She assessed the level of awareness of Human Papillomavirus and the cancers it can cause among specific sexual minority populations, seeking to identify characteristics commonly associated with varying levels of information relating to HPV and HPV vaccines.  

Dr. Williams’s dissertation committee included Elizabeth Helzner, Ph.D., MS, DipACLM (Chair), Associate Professor and Interim Chair of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Denise Bruno, M.D., MPH, Associate Dean for Global Engagement and Director of the Center for Global Health, Interim Chair and Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences; and Rose Calixte, Ph.D., PStat, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. 

Ayanna Besson, MPH, DrPH, defended “A Pilot Evaluation of a Virtual 21-day Whole-food Plant-based Dietary Intervention in New York City Residents”, in which she conducted a pilot evaluation of a 21-day plant-based dietary intervention implemented by Plant Powered Metro New York. Her study found that participants were highly satisfied with the program and experienced improvements in almost all measured metrics of health-related quality of life and mental health.

Dr. Besson’s dissertation committee included Elizabeth Helzner, Ph.D., MS, DipACLM (Chair), Associate Professor and Interim Chair of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Rose Calixte, Ph.D., PStat, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Liza Fuentes, DrPH, Director of Research, Health Equity at Boston Medical Center. 

Jessica Smilowitz, DrPH, defended “Correlates of Hearing Impairment in the Health and Retirement Study,” where she examined the descriptive epidemiology and functional correlates of hearing impairment in 15,179 older adults in the 2016-2018 wave of the Health and Retirement Study.

Dr. Smilowitz’s dissertation committee included Elizabeth Helzner, Ph.D., MS, DipACLM (Chair), Associate Professor and Interim Chair of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Rose Calixte, Ph.D., PStat, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Michael Reinhardt, M.D., Clinical Advisory Dean and Director of the Geriatric Psychology Fellowship.   

Claire Nurse, MPH, DrPH, defended “Trends in Exposure to Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Association with Metabolic Syndrome,” which examined per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which are a unique group of synthetic compounds found in myriad commercial applications including non-stick cookware, food packaging, and firefighting foam. The study comprised a trends analysis to assess mean PFAS concentrations and examined associations between seafood consumption, serum PFAS levels, and metabolic syndrome.

Dr. Nurse’s dissertation committee included Laura Geer, Ph.D., MHS (Chair), Chair and Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Rose Calixte, Ph.D., PStat, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Michael Joseph, Ph.D., MPH., Vice Dean for Education at Columbia-Mailman School of Public Health and Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Downstate School of Public Health.  

Susan Holman, RN, MS, DrPH, defended “Mammography Screening Among Women Living with HIV: The Role of Health Care Empowerment,” which examined the association between healthcare empowerment, a model of patient engagement, and receipt of mammography among women living with HIV. 

Dr. Holman’s dissertation committee included Tracey Wilson, Ph.D. (Chair), Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research, Distinguished Service Professor of Community Health Sciences, Denise Bruno, M.D., MPH, Associate Dean for Global Engagement and Director of the Center for Global Health, Interim Chair and Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences; and Rose Calixte, PhD, PStat, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. 

Ariba Hashmi, DrPH, defended “Loneliness and Health-Related Quality of Life among Women Living with HIV in the United States,” which assessed the association between loneliness among women with HIV and their overall well-being and experiences of living with HIV.  

Dr. Hashmi’s dissertation committee included Tracey Wilson, Ph.D. (Chair), Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research and Distinguished Service Professor of Community Health Sciences, Jacquelyn Meyers, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry; and Janet Rosenbaum, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

I extend a special thank you to Department of Health Policy and Management associate professor Daniel Ehlke, Ph.D., MA, who also serves as Chair of the SPH Committee on the Doctoral Program.