Associate director for academic programs Mary Story (right) introduces Melissa Watt and Nathan Thielman at the Master of Science in Global Health welcome reception last week.
Published August 30, 2016 under Education News
After leading DGHI’s Master of Science in Global Health program since its inception in 2008, medicine and global health professor Christopher Woods has passed the torch to assistant professor of global health Melissa Watt, who has served as the program’s associate director since 2013. Medicine and global health professor Nathan Thielman will be assuming the associate director role.
“We’re extremely grateful for Chris’s excellent leadership as program director, and we’re looking forward to the next chapter in the program leadership,” said Mary Story, professor and associate director for academic programs. “We’re confident that Melissa and Nathan will continue to expand and enhance the program to ensure that DGHI continues to produce highly competent future global health leaders.”
Learn More about Melissa Watt
Melissa Watt has been at DGHI since 2008 and a faculty member since 2012. Her research focuses on understanding and addressing gender-specific health issues in sub-Saharan Africa, with specific attention to HIV, substance use and mental health.
Watt is currently leading a study in Tanzania on HIV care engagement for women following childbirth. In South Africa, she is engaged in studies on the prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder and HIV care engagement in the context of sexual trauma.
In addition to her roles at DGHI, she is the associate director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Core at the Duke Center for AIDS Research.
Watt has a PhD in health behavior and health education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in gender and development from the University of Sussex in England.
“Over the last eight years, I’ve watched Duke’s Masters of Science in Global Health develop into a world-class program,” said Watt. “I’m very excited to step into this leadership role in the program, and I look forward to supporting our students as they develop the skills and experience to help solve our most pressing global health challenges.”
Learn More about Nathan Thielman
Nathan Thielman has been affiliated with DGHI since its inception. In addition to his new role at DGHI, he leads the Global Health Pathway, which offers extended overseas research training opportunities for residents and fellows through the Hubert-Yeargan Center.
Thielman’s research focuses on critical clinical and social issues that affect people living with or at risk for HIV infection. In collaboration with colleagues in Tanzania and at the Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research (CHPIR), he seeks to understand key determinants of HIV testing behaviors in order to increase testing uptake in the Kilimanjaro region and other resource-poor regions. He also studies the psychosocial, demographic, and economic characteristics that affect health outcomes of HIV-infected patients and children orphaned by AIDS.
Thielman, an infectious diseases physician, has a master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; he earned his MD at Duke University. He received DGHI’s Excellence in Mentoring Award in 2012.
“I’m delighted to work with the DGHI MSc-GH education team and to get to know more MSc-GH students in this role,” Thielman said. “Their passion and creativity inspire us all and will help fuel improvements in global health for decades to come.”
Watt and Thielman will welcome 44 new Master of Science in Global Health students this fall.
