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

Khadijah Ameen, MPH

Candidate, Doctor of Philosophy in Health Promotion and Behavior
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Khadijah Ameen is an Atlanta-based public health practitioner and scholar with multiple years of experience integrating antiracism praxis into health equity research, policy, and practice solutions. She is a PhD candidate at Georgia State University School of Public Health in the Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences department, where she was awarded the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholars Program fellowship and Georgia State University Second Century Initiative Doctoral fellowship. Khadijah received her bachelor of arts in cultural anthropology and global health from Emory University College of Arts and Sciences, a master of public health in health policy and management from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and a graduate certificate in interdisciplinary qualitative studies from the University of Georgia. She is also co-founder and director of policy and research at BLKHLTH, where she manages the organization’s academic–community partnership and policy advocacy portfolio.

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

Nathen Ballew

Candidate, Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, California

Mr Ballew is a premedical undergraduate student at California State University Fullerton (CSUF) with an interest in a dual MD/MPH degree. He works as an undergraduate researcher in the Interdisciplinary Health Science Cancer Research Lab at CSUF. He is also a cohort member of the 2023 CSUF and University of California Irvine Cancer Research Education Program, which focuses on cancer health disparities. He was a 2022 Pre-medical Enrichment Program (PREP) cohort member at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he learned more about health disparities and the process of applying to medical school. Mr Ballew will continue to be involved with PREP and review applications for each new year of applicants. He also works as a medical scribe in emergency departments in San Bernardino and has previously worked in a family practice clinic with the United Indian Health Services. Additionally, Mr Ballew volunteers in a local emergency department and helps orient new volunteers to the hospital.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Richard Brito, MSW

Candidate, Doctor of Public Health in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
Tallahassee, Florida

Mr Brito is a doctoral public health student specializing in behavioral sciences and health education in the College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Institute of Public Health at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and serves as a graduate assistant through a fellowship with Dr Carlos Reyes-Ortiz. He went to Florida State University (FSU) through the CARE program (Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement) and got his bachelor of science in psychology with a minor in public administration in 2020 and continued at FSU to pursue his master of social work with a clinical concentration under the guidance of Karen Oehme, JD, from the Institute for Family Violence Studies and Dr. Charles Fleischer through GHCP (Global Health Collaboration Project) at the FSU College of Medicine. In 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Brito built his company, The Brightside Productions LLC, a multidisciplinary production company that implements evidence-based research into its projects. After his doctorate, Mr Brito aspires to teach and conduct research at a university and to do his residency training for licensure to be a licensed clinical social worker. Mr Brito’s research interests include adverse childhood experiences, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, mental health, maternal and child health, and trauma and resilience.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

Mahima Dave,BS

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

Ms Dave earned her bachelor of science degree in public health with a minor in Pre-Health and Honors Transdisciplinary Studies from Nova Southeastern University (NSU). She served 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. Ms Dave plans to continue gaining experience in public health with an emphasis on health policy.

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

Zahrah Khan, MS

Candidate, Master of Public Health
Charles R. Drew University
Los Angeles, California

Ms Khan is a master of public health student at Charles R. Drew University. She is looking for research experience to further a career in research in public health. She is hoping to gain experience and take part in a team to further scientific understanding and presentation of newly discovered research. Ms Khan received a master in biomedical sciences at Charles R. Drew, where she initially gained interest in the work of studying and writing about community health centers in LA County and had a first-hand understanding of how research of public health programs ultimately impacts the lives of those in need. Ms Khan’s long-term goal is to learn and contribute everything she can to health research and eventually work on completing a doctorate program in public/community health.

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

Kiera Metz

Candidate, Bachelor of Science in Biology
Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia

Ms Metz is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in biology at Spelman College. She serves as a committee member for the Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS) and is a member of the Health Careers Club. She also serves as a residential advisor of Spelman Student Life and Housing and first year study group lead for the Student Success Program. Ms Metz’s research interests include health education, black women’s maternal health, and dermatologic conditions in skin of color. Upon graduating in May 2026, she plans to continue gaining education in public health and obtaining an MD.

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

Heather Willmott, BS

Candidate, Master of Science in Biostatistics
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Ms Willmott is pursuing an accelerated master of science in biostatistics and bachelor of science in mathematics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She currently serves as a graduate research assistant for the Strong Heart Study and has enjoyed working on a variety of research projects in that role. Ms Willmott is passionate about teaching statistics to others and serves as a teaching assistant for undergraduate biostatistics courses. She has also served in leadership roles in several student organizations, including the Hudson College of Public Health student association. After graduation, Ms Willmott plans to pursue a career in biostatistics.

Appointment Term: 2023–2024

 

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