Name: Isabella Lawandy
Graduation Year: 2021
Additional or Previous Degrees: MS, Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, Brown University; BA, Biology, minor in Human Rights, University of Connecticut
Briefly describe your current role as a public health practitioner: I am currently a Research Project Manager in the Newborn Medicine department at Brigham and Women's Hospital. I manage all of the research studies that are being done in our lab. This work includes assisting with grant applications, overseeing daily research activities, managing IRB communications, data auditing, ensuring research integrity, and occasional bench work in the lab. I am also a Certified Lactation Counselor and provide lactation support to our enrolled study participants.
Why did you choose GW's Milken Institute School of Public Health for your public health education? The Milken Institute's public health ranking, MCH program, and proximity to global and national organizational headquarters was a major draw for me.
What skills from your public health degree do you apply in your work today? I use skills learned in biostatistics and epidemiology on a weekly basis when creating study analysis plans and looking at data. I also use my MCH and Social Determinants of Health knowledge daily, as we work to design new studies that are representative of varying demographics and that address critical maternal and infant health issues.
Tell us about your CE experience: The Effects of Maternal ACEs on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Data Synthesis.
Tell us about your Practicum experience: I did my practicum at HRSA's Maternal Child Health Bureau working with the Office of Policy and Planning and Workforce Development. I interned with them for 2 semesters.
What advice would you give to the next generation of public health practitioners? Take advantage of any and all opportunities to learn from and have conversations with professors, mentors and people already in the field. They might open your eyes to other opportunities and paths that you might not have considered pursuing with this knowledge and degree.
Isabella was also featured on the HRSA website for a completed internship. Read it here!