iCREATE
Increasing Capacity for Injury Research in Eastern Europe
Contact
Dr. Diana Dulf
diana.dulf@ubbcluj.ro
Pandurilor 7 Street, 9th Floor, Room 910, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
HELLO, MY NAME IS
Master’s studies
Emily Jester is a second-year Master of Public Health in Epidemiology student at the University of Iowa. She received her Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology with a minor in Chemistry, also from the University of Iowa, in May 2020. After graduating, Emily held a position at Stead Family Children’s Hospital, where she utilized aseptic technique to compound intravenous medications for patients in the operating room and other units, including the pediatric (PICU) and neonatal (NICU) intensive care units. Her primary research interests are social epidemiology, global health, mental health, and violence prevention. In the upcoming year, you can find Emily as the teaching assistant (TA) for Intro to Epi Data Management and Analysis with Dr. Cara Hamann (Co-PI for iCREATE), serving as Co-President of the College of Public Health Graduate Student Association, and more likely than not cuddling her cats (Stevie Licks and Florence + the Toe Bean) somewhere.
Engaging in conversations that detail the complexities of conflict and love in other parts of the world allowed me to understand regional history in ways that transcend far beyond what any book could ever teach. In Romania, I was immersed in a multicultural setting, collaborating with students from various countries, each bringing unique perspectives. The development of meaningful relationships with my peers and instructors in the SCOPE Summer School was key to our collective success. Encountering the different educational challenges and resource limitations in Romania provided me with a deeper understanding of the barriers students face in their academic journeys. Throughout the week, I learned about personal and societal implications of war, conflict, and genocide in Eastern Europe from stories shared with me by my classmates, which undoubtedly have influenced the ways they navigate life. Finally, collaborating within a group of students where no two were from the same country strengthened my empathy towards students who may struggle with similar challenges in my future classrooms.
I started my academic program with a primary interest in infectious epidemiology, and I slowly have shifted toward social epidemiology, global health, mental health, and violence and injury prevention. I previously was mainly only aware of violence and injury prevention efforts in the context of the U.S. but learning and experiencing these factors in Eastern Europe has highlighted the extent of the burden felt elsewhere. Prior to participating in the SCOPE Summer School, this was an area of knowledge that I had room to improve greatly in, so I decided to pursue this program to take any opportunity available that would help me develop into a well-rounded public health professional for the future. Hearing personal stories from new global connections emphasizes both the differences and similarities in how we all navigate life. I believe it is crucial for public health professionals to develop cultural competence to inspire global health efforts in both them and in others, which is a new and continuous journey in every community across the world.
Exposure to different cultural perspectives and engagement with students and professionals from diverse backgrounds has enhanced my ability to approach violence and injury prevention with cultural sensitivity and from a more holistic perspective. Moving forward, I aim to apply for the Epidemiology PhD program this fall, and I know that wherever I will physically be throughout life, this experience will inspire me to continuously advocate for and work among global public health efforts.
I found value in all the presentations, but I was especially impacted by the session with Professor Cherecheș and the opportunity to listen to and engage with Camelia Proca and Eniko Gall from A.L.E.G.
I thoroughly enjoyed Professor Cherecheș’s emphasis on engaging in difficult conversations that are often necessary but challenging in the context of public health crises and staying aligned with your morals and values. These discussions involved deep dives into real-world scenarios where we had to grapple with complex ethical dilemmas, such as resource allocation, prioritizing vulnerable populations, and making tough decisions under pressure. This session highlighted the importance of being prepared not only in terms of technical knowledge but also in terms of ethical leadership and communication skills.
During our session with Camelia and Eniko, we were fortunate enough to not only hear about what this NGO was doing to improve the lives of domestic violence/intimate partner violence survivors, but also participate in introspective conversations revolving around gender and its influences. Their insights into gender and how it develops within us were particularly impactful, especially for students who may not often be exposed to such critical perspectives.
On October 4th, I participated in the University of Iowa Global Health Network’s Spotlight on Research event. During this session, Dr. Cara Hamann presented an overview of the iCREATE project, and Stephanie Jansson and I shared our student perspectives on our experiences along with other stories from the 2024 SCOPE Summer School in Cluj. This session highlighted the project’s impact and the value of international collaboration in public health research.
Upon my return, I collaborated with the University of Iowa’s Office of Communications and External Relations to share my experiences through their social media channels. This included providing photos and comments from my report on the summer school experience in Romania, which were used to create content that highlighted the study abroad experiences of students. This initiative aimed to inspire and inform other students about the value of international public health experiences and the specific activities of the SCOPE Summer School.
I was also invited to participate in an interview for the From the Front Row podcast, produced by the University of Iowa College of Public Health. This podcast discussed major public health issues and reached a broad audience through platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud. During the interview, I shared insights and stories from the summer school, discussed the importance of global public health education, and highlighted the iCREATE project’s role in expanding research capacity on violence and injury prevention in Eastern Europe. This platform allowed me to disseminate the activities and impact of iCREATE to a wider audience, including public health professionals and students globally.
Increasing Capacity for Injury Research in Eastern Europe
Dr. Diana Dulf
diana.dulf@ubbcluj.ro
Pandurilor 7 Street, 9th Floor, Room 910, Cluj-Napoca, Romania