Three Master of Public Health students (Babita Bhetwal, Ron Schmaltz, Archer Ward), one Public and Population Health Leadership Ph.D. student (Meredith Spivak) and an SPPH faculty member (Dr. Ellen Schafer) were honored at this year’s Boise State University Graduate College Awards.
The four School of Public and Population Health students won College of Health Sciences Showcase Awards for their exceptional research and poster presentations at the annual Graduate Student Showcase. Learn more about their projects and research experience below.
Babita Bhetwal, MPH Student
Babita Bhetwal, a soon-to-be graduate of the Master of Public Health program, presented research on the Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Prevention Behavior Among Tamang Women Residing in Nuwakot, Nepal.
For Bhetwal, the most rewarding aspect of her research was being able to engage with underserved indigenous women. Initially, she says, the women in the study hesitated to engage. Through building their trust, the women felt safe to share their experiences, challenges and perceptions about cervical cancer.
“This reminded me that a trust-building and community centered approach (to research) is vital for success,” Bhetwal said.
Ron Schmaltz, MPH Student
Master of Public Health student Ron Schmaltz presented his research on The Gray Area in Healthcare Technology Usage. Schmaltz’ research focused on healthcare technology use among senior citizens.
Schmaltz says, although rewarding, conducting his research was a secondary benefit. The most rewarding aspect of his research was connecting with seniors and learning how much they valued being heard.
“Their eagerness to participate and share their experiences with me reminded me that even though the field of public health tries to address issues from a population perspective, it always comes back to the individual,” Schmaltz said.
Archer Ward, MPH Student
Archer Ward, a Master of Public Health student in his final year of the program, presented research on Adolescent Developmental Domains: Examining Risk and Protective Factors in Loneliness.
“Adolescent mental health is such a current topic due to the impacts it’s having on young people today,” Ward said. “I did not have any previous experience in this space before and was sold on the project when I learned how devastating the experience of loneliness can be.”
Meredith Spivak, Ph.D. Student
Spivak, a Public and Population Health Leadership Ph.D. student, presented her research on the Sex Differences In Acute Occupational Pesticide Poisonings Among Farmworkers in the Pacific Northwest.
When Spivak moved to Idaho, she noticed how prominent agricultural employment is for both men and women in the state. Spivak said she saw the immediate connection between her interests in women’s health and this important aspect of the state’s economy.
The result of that connection is research that focuses on occupational risks for women farmworkers.
“I think everyone deserves for their workplace to be safe. But at the end of the day, we still have not delved deep enough into this issue and we still don’t have a clear picture on what is happening with women farmworkers,” Spivak said. “I hope this research can be used to take the next steps toward creating a workplace where women, and really all farmworkers, are protected from pesticide poisonings.”
Dr. Ellen Schafer
SPPH Associate Professor and Master of Public Health Program Director Ellen Schafer received the Graduate College Excellence in Graduate Faculty Mentoring award. Schafer mentored a number of graduate students in this year’s showcase.
Schafer sees her mentor role as enabling students to hit their milestones and achieve the learning and growth they hope to obtain with a graduate degree.
“I appreciate students sharing their life with me and welcoming me as a partner in the process of pursuing their degree,” Schafer said.
Schafer’s favorite aspect of being a mentor? Working with students entering or moving up in the public health workforce. Watching students learn, grow, gain confidence, try new things and overcome personal and academic challenges, she says, is what fulfills her daily work.
“I had fantastic mentors that shared their wisdom and taught me patience and empathy. I hope I am able to do the same for our students,” Schafer said. “I also hope the students I mentor pay it forward and do the same for those who come to graduate school or into the workforce after them.”