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Brown Scholars pursue public health equity and excellence

Current Brown Scholars

Lauren Burrow

Lauren Barrow

HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

Hopkins Info
Email: lbarrow2@jhu.edu
Advisor: Craig Pollack

Previous Universities
UNC -Chapel Hill (MHA)
University of Michigan (BS)

Research Interests
Cancer disparities; Access to high-quality cancer care; Health equity; Social determinants of health; outcomes research

Why Hopkins
JHSPH will prepare her to approach her research aims with the appropriate perspective, methodological tools, and evidence-based frameworks needed to contribute to a discernible macro-level change in cancer care disparities. In addition to a curriculum tailored to her research focus and interests, JHSPH is a world-renowned research institution where she can explore different areas of academia alongside notable faculty with access to stellar resources and support.  

Fun fact
She loves camping and the great outdoors. Now, she is attempting the bring the outdoors inside as an aspiring plant mom. Fingers crossed for the plants.


Sara Daniel

Sara Daniel

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Hopkins Info
Email: sdanie40@jhu.edu
Advisors: Lorraine Dean and Bryan Lau

Previous Universities
University of Illinois at Chicago (MPH)
University of Chicago (AB)

Research Interests
Implications of trauma, violence and stigma on pregnancy intentions, sexual and reproductive health decision-making, care-seeking, and outcome

Why She Chose Hopkins
In seeking advanced training on epidemiological and statistical methods, she was drawn to JHSPH’s commitment to impactful research, emphasis on rigorous methodological training, and leading faculty members.

How Her Work Advances Health Equity
She engages in research that informs interventions and policies addressing the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations, particularly those who have experienced trauma.

Fun Fact
She an avid fan of crosswords and salsa dancing.


Lois Dankwa

Lois Dankwa

HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

Hopkins Info
Email: ldankwa1@jhu.edu
Advisor: Jill Marsteller

Previous Universities
University of Pennsylvania (BA)
Georgetown University (MS)

Research Interests
Teamwork and collaborative decision making, comparative effectiveness
research, implementation science, care management for high-need patients

Why She Chose Hopkins
She wants to use research and analysis methods to contribute towards healthcare solutions for high-need patients in US cities. Studying JHSPH will equip her with these tools and allow her to test hypotheses, develop models, and examine outcomes more comprehensively. She is also excited to be mentored by female faculty who are committed to shaping health care solutions and creating care management approaches.

How Her Work Advances Health Equity
A research focus on techniques to provide consistent care to severe and chronically ill individuals will amplify meaningful solutions to gaps in services for patients who remain underserved by health services unable to meet their needs.

Fun Fact
She loves to exercise and am hoping to expand her green thumb.


Jessica Dozier

Jessica Dozier

POPULATION, FAMILY AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Hopkins Info
Email: jdozier6@jhmi.edu
Advisor: Charvonne Holliday

Previous Universities
Emory University (MPH)
University of Michigan (BA)

Research Interests
Sexual and reproductive health, community-engaged research, MCH, SRH stigma

Why She Chose Hopkins
JHSPH is the optimum place to hone the skillset necessary to ethically engage communities, effectively translate research to practice, and develop evidence-based interventions to tackle the most pressing sexual and reproductive health concerns in Baltimore and around the globe.

How Her Work Advances Health Equity
She aims to help create empowered, healthy, and equitable futures for underserved women and girls by advocating for evidence-based policies, uplifting the voices and priorities of communities, and seeking to disrupt oppressive systems of power that contribute to poor sexual and reproductive health.

Fun Fact
She is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumna.


Henri Garrison Desany

Henri Garrison-Desany

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Hopkins Info
Email: mgarris7@jhmi.edu
Advisor: Terri Beaty

Previous Universities
Harvard University

Research Interests
Gender-related mental health multi-omics and environmental interaction

Why He Chose Hopkins
Hopkins has a dedicated genetic epidemiology program with rigorous training and research along with diverse funding mechanisms, and a clear timeline for program completion.

How His Work Advances Health Equity
Genetic and epigenetic work with diverse populations often not included in molecular studies of disease.

Fun Facts
He works part-time as a florist.


Deja Knight

Deja Knight

INTERNATIONAL HEALTH

Hopkins Info
Email: dknigh12@jhmi.edu
Advisor: Haneefa Saleem

Previous Universities
Wesleyan University (BA)
The University of Iowa (MA)
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (MPH)

Research Interests
HIV, opioids, social determinants of health, health equity, and interventions

Why She Chose Hopkins
At Hopkins, her advisor and others in the department engage in similar research as she does, conducting research domestically and globally. She knew that Hopkins was the right place for her to continue developing her skills and obtain new skills that she will use to change the world.

How Her Work Advances Health Equity
She always intends for her public health interventions to reach those who are the most vulnerable and low-resourced. She work directly with communities, specifically assessing their assets and barriers to ensure that her interventions are accessible and appropriate. By doing so, and by reaching those who need public health intervening, she is closing disparity gaps in this country.

Fun Fact
She love doing adventurous things! She bungee jumped off the world's highest manmade bridge. She also went Shark Cage Diving during that trip as well. Her next goal is to go sky diving.


Quiana Lewis

Quiana Lewis

POPULATION, FAMILY AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Hopkins Info
Email: qlewis1@jhu.edu
Advisor: Terrinieka W. Powell

Previous Universities
Yale University (MPH)
Fisk University (BA)

Research Interests
Youth raised by grandparent or second-generation caregiver, Adolescent Resilience, Youth aging out of the foster care system

Why She Chose Hopkins
In addition to the institution's stellar research reputation, she was drawn to the supportive faculty and staff with whom she would train.

How Her Work Advances Health Equity
She believes that every young person should have a fair chance to live their healthiest life. Therefore, she wants to ensure that systems, policies, and programs support the positive development of the nation's most vulnerable youth.

Fun Fact
She used to play the harp, but dreamed of being a dancer for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Note: She never actually trained as a dancer, so this was only a dream.


Nicole McConico

Nicole McConico

MENTAL HEALTH

Hopkins Info
Email: nmcconi1@jhmi.edu
Advisor: Johannes Thrul

Previous Universities
Harvard University (MEd)
NC Central University (JD)
Howard University (BA)

Research Interests

Child abuse and neglect, vulnerable children and youth within child serving systems

Why She Chose Hopkins
The only place where she could utilize her backgrounds in law, social services, mental health, and prevention science to conduct meaningful and impactful research to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

How Her Work Advances Health Equity
Her work seeks to reduce inequities in risk for child abuse and neglect and inform child abuse prevention interventions and strategies.

Fun Fact
She has a twin sister and they are polar opposites.


Obie McNair

Obie McNair

HEALTH, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIETY

Hopkins Info
Email: omcnair1@jhmi.edu
Advisor: Roland Thorpe

Previous Universities
UNC- Chapel Hill (MPH)
Tougaloo College (BA)

Research Interests
Black men’s health with a focus on MSM, HIV & STD prevention

Why He Chose Hopkins
It produces the best researchers… if he wants to be the best, this is where he should be.

How His Work Advances Health Equity
His work ensures that disenfranchised communities are able to access the necessary resources which in turn will allow them to take better care of their health.

Fun Fact
He is a native of Mississippi, but was born in Maryland.


Joelle Robinson

Joelle Robinson

HEALTH, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIETY

Hopkins Info
Email: jrobi142@jhmi.edu
Advisor: Roland Thorpe

Previous Universities
Columbia University (MPH)
Spelman College (BA)

Research Interests
Intersection of food systems and community participatory research

Why She Chose Hopkins
She had a desire to deepen research skills/expertise while continuing community based work close to home.

How Her Work Advances Health Equity
Her work aims to bridge government and community experience by implementing community participatory action research to directly inform the development and transformation of social policies.

Fun Facts
She is a thrill seeker; past activities include shark cage diving, bungee jumping, skydiving. She hopes to one day swim with a whale shark.