DGHI’s Zoom Cohort Looks for a Strong Finish

The dawn of the new year brings opportunities for reflection and resolution. For second-year students in DGHI’s Master of Science in Global Health program, that means setting goals for their final semester at Duke. We talked with four members of the MS Class of 2022 – Don Nguyen, Lori Babb, Yewei Xie and Nour Hammad – about their experiences in the program so far and their hopes for the semester ahead.

Describe your research experience or thesis in 10 words or less.

Nguyen: My research thesis explores the importance of pre-pandemic surveillance.

Hammad: Discussing the development and implementation of a digital intervention.

Xie: My thesis mainly focuses on the evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination.  

Babb: The experience is challenging, yet exhilarating. I love it.

Describe a relationship that you’ve built with another student or faculty member within DGHI.

Nguyen: My relationship with Emily Robie, a former MS-GH student and current Duke research associate, has been influential in not only my thesis work, but also my own personal life and experience here in North Carolina. Her familiarity with the program after graduating in 2019, enables her to pass on pragmatic advice that I have used to greatly enhance my time here. Through her guidance, I have been more adept at conducting my research, in addition to writing my thesis manuscript. But probably most importantly of all, she has introduced me to her favorite coffees (now mine as well), and to a list of food places in Durham.

Babb: While I will leave Duke with a MS-GH degree, I’ll also leave with so much more. The connections I’ve made during my time at Duke are priceless. I matched with Dr. Osondu Ogbuoji last fall for my thesis work to come and a research assistantship. I feel so grateful for all the mentorship Osondu has so kindly extended to me. I’ve grown as a student, researcher and working professional during my time within the Center for Policy Impact in Global Health.

Hammad: I was lucky to have had the opportunity to build great relations with my professors and great friendships with some of my colleagues! I also have a best friend at DGHI, (fellow MS-GH student) Jean Gleason, who’s more of a sister! She’s amazing and trustworthy, and I’m grateful to have her in my life.

Xie: I gained a good friendship with (fellow second-year MS student) Haotian Ruan, who is also my roommate. He is a very kind person who supports me in my studies and in life, such as when he urged me to complete my driver’s license examination.

How is this year different from last year?

Nguyen: This year, I have finally been able to bond on a personal level with my classmates and peers. Last year, with the pandemic in full swing and the vaccines still awaiting regulatory approval, time in-person was very limited. Being behind a screen for the entire year took away a dimension of our friendships, and so it has been nice after all this time to take in the energy, vibe, and presence of my fellow classmates. I am blessed to have such an awesome cohort of like-minded and friendly individuals, and I hope we can have a proper graduation to celebrate all of our accomplishments!

Babb: Well, this is a softball question since I am in the ~Zoom~ cohort. Being able to be fully in-person this academic year has been the greatest blessing. Community is built through run-ins at Trent before class or an unplanned study session at Vondy featuring iced matchas from Saladelia at the Perk. I’m so thankful for the way Duke has allowed us to come back in person safely.

Hammad: This year, all my classes are in person, and I’m glad they are. It’s a completely different experience than just learning remotely. In addition to the learning experience, the bonds you create with your professors and classmates are much stronger in an in person setting.

What is your favorite class that you’ve taken during the program so far? What did you enjoy about it? What did you learn?

Hammad: I would say Epidemiology. Although it’s one of the hardest classes I’ve taken so far, it’s one of the most enjoyable ones, and I’m just learning so much. I learned, and am continuously learning, about causal inference, epidemiologic study designs, bias and quantitative analysis of epidemiologic data.

Babb: Wow, it really is hard to pick because I’ve had such a rich array of classes during my time at Duke. The one coming to mind is actually one I think can be easily overlooked because it’s an elective: PUBPOL 635: Global Inequality Research with Dr. (Adam) Hollowell and Dr. (William) Darity. It’s a highly intersectional class that delves into a new topic each semester and challenges each student to produce a research project that focuses on a global inequality issue of your choice. I’ve had the privilege of working on a paper, “The Landscape of Anti-Asian Aggression during COVID-19,” with two other Duke students, Andrew Lee and Eleane Ye. You can see our preliminary research findings presentation on Facebook.

What’s a piece of advice that you would give to your first-year self?

Nguyen: Remember to take care of yourself. If I had to, I would undoubtedly label myself a workaholic. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts about caring for oneself, especially during this pandemic, and I decided that it’s now or never if I wanted to make a change. I’ve been eating healthier, working out more, and even started getting back into photography. Sometimes I feel guilty for just enjoying my life… that I should be working or advancing myself and my career, but I know I deserve to be happy, and right now, I am sincerely appreciating life and everything that I have.

Xie: Enjoy your life and meet more people! 

What has been your proudest accomplishment throughout the program thus far? 

Xie: As part of the research team, I participated in a policy recommendation submitted to the China CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccination planning. 

What is something that you need to cross off of your Duke/Durham bucket list before the end of the year?

Nguyen: I really need to visit the Duke Gardens. They re-opened during this past summer, but unfortunately, I haven’t been able to stroll through just yet. I have heard from so many about how pretty it is, so I definitely plan to make a visit in the Spring when the flowers are in full bloom.

Hammad: I want to try all the restaurants on Ninth Street. I’m almost there!

Xie: Play a soccer game.

Babb: Climb the Duke Chapel!! Hopefully, my cohort will be able to do a Tower climb together in the spring. Can’t wait to see Duke’s beautiful campus from a practically aerial view.