Student Scientific Writing and Review Training Committee

Building the next generation of public health researchers will require introducing students early to training and learning opportunities to strengthen scientific publishing expertise. Student appointees to the Student Scientific Writing and Review Training Committee are 1) exposed to cutting-edge research and evaluation from around the country; 2) taught how to carefully critique strengths and weaknesses of scientific research, evaluation, and practice; and 3) familiarized with a journal’s review processes in selecting manuscripts for publication. After receiving training, students are assigned to serve as peer reviewers on submitted manuscripts and receive feedback on their reviews. Appointees receive a certificate after successfully completing their appointment. All appointments to the Student Scientific Writing and Review Training Committee are for one year and come from high school, undergraduate, masters, doctoral (eg, MD, PHD, DrPH, EdD), and postdoctoral levels.

Shiraz Agichtein

Candidate, Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Art in Studio Art
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Ms Agichtein is a rising sophomore at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, working toward a double major in biology and studio art. She has taken undergraduate courses in biology, chemistry, and studio art and will be analyzing tick DNA in a research laboratory this fall. Ms Agichtein can also be seen on campus as a member of Campus Emergency Medical Services or on stage singing in the opera workshop. Ms Agichtein plans to combine her love of science and arts with a career in pediatric medicine.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Macdonald T. Aloh, MBBS

Candidate, Master of Public Health
Research Assistant
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley, Georgia

Dr Aloh received medical training from Enugu State University College of Medicine in Nigeria. He is currently pursuing a master of public health degree at Fort Valley State University, Georgia. Dr Aloh has worked as a medical officer in the Department of Public Health in Rivers State, Nigeria, and he is currently a graduate research assistant at Fort Valley State University. As a result of his studies, Dr Aloh hopes to have acquired advanced skills and knowledge to be a more proficient scientific writer in the field of public health.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Mona Baishya, MPH

Candidate, Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ms Baishya is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Temple University. She completed an undergraduate program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds bachelor of science degrees in psychology and biological sciences, and she earned her master of public health in biostatistics from Texas A&M University. She was awarded an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education fellowship for the Navy Marine Corps Public Health Center, where she spent a year working as a clinical epidemiologist and a year as a behavioral health epidemiologist before pivoting into Social and Behavioral Sciences. Ms Baishya’s research interests include maternal and child health, adverse childhood experiences, neighborhood-level exposures, and substance use.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Mahima Dave

Candidate, Bachelor of Science in Public Health
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, Florida

Ms Dave is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in public health with a minor in Pre-Health and Honors Transdisciplinary Studies at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). She serves as the vice president of the Undergraduate Public Health Student Association, president of the Honors Student Advisory Board, and student liaison for the Public Health Curriculum Committee at NSU. Ms Dave’s research interests include health education and promotion for women and individuals with disabilities. Her current research is focused on improving health communication about obstructive sleep apnea in children with Down syndrome. Upon graduating in May 2023, Ms Dave plans to continue gaining experience in public health with an emphasis on health policy.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Oluyemi Farinu, PhD, MPH, CHES

ORISE Postdoctoral Health Equity Fellow
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, Georgia

Dr Farinu is a recent graduate of the Department of Sociology at Georgia State University. She also earned a bachelor of science degree in exercise science and a master of public health degree from Georgia State University. Dr Farinu was awarded an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Postdoctoral Health Equity Fellowship with CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Her research interests include social mobility, health equity, community-engaged research, race and ethnicity theory, chronic disease, sexual and reproductive health, and maternal health.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Evelyne Harper

Candidate, Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia

Ms Harper is a junior at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia, working toward a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education with a minor in public health. She has taken undergraduate courses in public health, physical education, psychology, and social work. Ms Harper looks forward to expanding her educational and professional acumen and learning more about scientific writing and research. Ms Harper plans to pursue graduate studies to earn a master’s degree in public health.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Eva Kaufmann

Junior, High School Student
Dekalb School of the Arts
Avondale Estates, Georgia

Ms Kaufmann is a rising senior at the Dekalb School of the Arts, a magnet school in Atlanta, Georgia. She is majoring in creative writing and planning a senior research project in psychology and public health. She also has a strong interest in chemistry. Ms Kaufmann is a member of the National Honor Society, a recipient of the Georgia Certificate of Merit (recognizing the top 5% of juniors), and a volunteer student tutor. She is excited about joining the journal as a student appointee to learn about scientific writing and research and will use these skills in college and beyond.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Toni-Ann Lee, PT, MPH

Candidate, Doctor of Public Health
Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland

Ms Lee is Jamaican-born scholar with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and 7 years of experience in the public health sector. She graduated in 2020 with a master of public health degree from Morgan State University, and is currently pursuing her doctor of public health degree there. Her research interests include mental health; maternal, child, and family health; policy on universal health care, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of health care providers and medically and socioeconomically marginalized groups.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Joshua Rahman, BS

Bachelor of Science in Biology
Georgia College and State University
Milledgeville, Georgia

Mr Rahman has a bachelor of science degree in biology with a minor in political science from Georgia College and State University. He volunteers with the Young Physicians Initiative, a program where physicians and medical students help educate middle school, high school, and college students from underserved communities on how to advance in the medical field. Mr Rahman’s research interests include public health efforts to reduce bacterial transmission, prevention of antibacterial resistance, and antismoking and antivaping awareness among adolescents. He is planning to apply to medical school with a vision to practice medicine in medically underserved and rural areas.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

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