Student life in full swing: health & hangouts at SOPH
This semester, students at the John D. Bower School of Population Health came together for events that reflected the school’s commitment to wellness, community and connection.
Pop Health Perspectives: a new student-led research showcase
This academic year, SOPH Student Body President McKing Amedari and Vice President Tasnova Malek launched a new initiative to spotlight the outstanding work of doctoral students across departments. The Pop Health Perspectives: PhD Student Research Showcase gives students a platform to present their research in an engaging, peer-led format during monthly student body meetings.
The series began in January and has featured presentations from students in both the Department of Population Health Science and the Department of Data Science:
Sachin Karki (Data Science): “Exploration and Evaluation of Classification Models to Predict Survival in Heart Failure”
Lauren Pongetti (Population Health Science): “Residential Green Space and Chronic Health Outcomes”
Brian Christman (Data Science): “R: Why and How”
McKing Amedari (Population Health Science): “A Tri-Topic Research Brief”
Christopher Clark (Population Health Science): “The Impacts of Multigenerational Living and Adolescent Pregnancy on Health and Wellbeing of Adult Mothers in Mississippi: A Convergent Parallel Analysis”
Kerri Ivey (Population Health Science): “State Level Policy and Stroke Mortality”
This growing showcase reflects SOPH’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and supports students in developing communication and leadership skills vital to public health research and practice.
National Wear Red Day
In February, SOPH proudly participated in National Wear Red Day, joining the American Heart Association in raising awareness about heart disease in women – the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Faculty, staff and students donned red to spotlight the importance of prevention, education and advocacy in women’s cardiovascular health. The event not only brought attention to a critical issue in population health but also underscored the power of collective action.
May Meet-Up
Later in the semester, students took a well-deserved break from academics at the May Meet-Up, held at The Station and The Fondren Yard in Jackson. The informal gathering featured pizza, outdoor games and plenty of laughter as students recharged and reconnected before finals. It was a welcome reminder that population health thrives not only in classrooms and research labs, but also in strong social bonds and a shared sense of purpose.
Taylor Lefler earns PhD in biostatistics and data science
Congratulations to Dr. Taylor Lefler, who has successfully defended her dissertation titled “Sensitivity in Sample Size Determination in Cluster Randomized Trials for Count Data.” With this accomplishment, Dr. Lefler has earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics and Data Science from the John D. Bower School of Population Health.
Her research contributes to improving the design and precision of clinical trials by addressing key statistical challenges in sample size estimation—an essential element in public health research and evidence-based decision-making.
Students present program evaluation findings on SOPH matriculation process
Students enrolled in PHS 743: Program Evaluation for Population-Level Interventions recently shared the results of their team project. Their presentation, titled "Inside Perspectives and Expectations: Exploring Student and Faculty Experiences in the School of Population Health," offered valuable insights into the student matriculation process at SOPH.
As part of the course, which emphasizes hands-on experience in evaluation design and real-world application, the student team of Christopher Clark, Kerri Ivey and McKing Amedari collaborated to assess program impact, identify key challenges and recommend improvements based on stakeholder feedback.
PHS 743 equips students with core evaluation skills applicable to public health programs and policies, and this project exemplifies how evaluation can inform institutional practices and enhance student outcomes.
Whether raising awareness or simply raising a slice of pizza, SOPH students continue to show up for each other and for the broader communities they aim to serve.
Floating into Summer: SOPH welcomes summer student interns
The John D. Bower School of Population Health kicked off the summer with a sweet celebration to welcome its newest student interns. SOPH faculty and students gathered for an ice cream float social, offering a relaxed and cheerful environment for interns to connect with their peers and mentors.
The event marked the beginning of a summer filled with hands-on learning, research opportunities, and community engagement. With root beer floats in hand, students began building the relationships that will support their growth throughout the internship experience.