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ATLANTA — Master of Public Health students at Georgia State University are gaining global applied-practice experiences without leaving Atlanta through an innovative new mentorship program.
The Postdoctoral Mentorship in Global Tobacco Research program connects MPH students with participants and alumni of the GSU’s Postdoctoral Fellowship in Global Tobacco Research. Funded by the CDC Foundation, the postdoctoral fellowship brings international scholars to Georgia State to deepen their knowledge of tobacco prevention and control before initiating a project they complete in their home country.
Through the new mentorship program, GSU students gain hands-on, applied-practice experiences in a range of tobacco prevention and control projects. Among the many projects students are supporting are analyses of the effects of tobacco taxes on cigarette use in Bangledesh, anti-smoking messages in China and the effects of pictorial warning labels on smoking in Vietnam. The program launched earlier this semester and will provide international applied-practice experiences to 12 students.
“Students get the opportunity to be a part of real-life research projects that are carried out around the globe,” said Lucy Popova, director of the fellowship and an associate professor in the School of Public Health. “The postdoctoral scholars benefit, too, from the research support the students provide and the opportunity to gain additional mentoring experiences.”
Vishakha Chaudhary
For students such as Vishakha Chaudhary, who holds a bachelor’s degree in dental surgery and is pursuing an MPH with a concentration in epidemiology, the mentorship program has provided the opportunity to build on the epidemiological methods, health promotion and data analysis skills she has developed at Georgia State. Working with George Bakhturidze, an associate professor in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Georgia in the Republic of Georgia, she is examining the impact of tobacco industry-sponsored events on the perceptions and attitudes of medical professionals.
Chaudhary, who will be submitting her findings for presentation at the 2025 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting, said the project has equipped her with practical experience in global public health research, stakeholder analysis and policy evaluation.
“Being a dentist, I have always been passionate about conducting research on tobacco and its implications,” she said. “This project provided me with the perfect opportunity to delve into this area and contribute to meaningful public health research. It has reinforced the importance of vigilance in public health policy to protect against corporate interests that may undermine public health. It has also shown me the power of collaborative research in driving meaningful change.”
Madeline Conlon
Madeline Conlon, who is also pursuing an MPH with a concentration in epidemiology, is working under the guidance of Bai Cham, Research Associate at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, on a project that is examining the drivers of intravaginal smokeless tobacco use known as taba, which is thought to be used in several countries in the global south. Little is known about the motivators for its use and its possible public health consequences, but her research is helping to change that.
Conlon is participating in qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with current and former taba users, as well as their male partners, to identify common themes and better understand the factors influencing taba use. She will also contribute to writing a conference abstract and manuscript to share findings from the project.
“The GSU School of Public Health, along with this research experience, has prepared me to enter the public health workforce and succeed in any path I pursue,” she said. “I am very thankful to Dr. Popova and Dr. Cham for providing GSU MPH students with this valuable and enriching research opportunity.”
View the full listing of projects, mentors and students:
Lead: Shafiun Shimul, Associate Professor, Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka
Student: Jacqueline Jordan, Epidemiology
Lead: Bai Cham, Research Associate, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Students: Madeline Conlon, Epidemiology, and Evelyn Tolamatl Ariceaga, Epidemiology
Lead: George Bakhturidze, Associate Professor, School of Health Sciences, the University of Georgia
Students: Vishakha Chaudhary, Epidemiology, and Yasmina Sims, Health Management and Policy
Lead: Di Pei, Postdoctoral Fellow, GSU Global Tobacco Research program
Student: Dallas Fitzgibbon, Environmental Epidemiology
Lead: Thi Phuong Thao Tran, Postdoctoral Fellow, GSU Global Tobacco Research program
Student: Elicia Edwards, Epidemiology
Read the full student Q&As:
Can you briefly describe your project?
My project, titled “Tobacco Industry-funded ‘Tobacco Harm Reduction’ Events Among Medical Doctors in the Republic of Georgia,” explores the influence of these industry-sponsored events on the perceptions and attitudes of medical professionals. It examines how these events shape views on harm reduction strategies and assesses their impact on medical practices and public health policy. Additionally, my research investigates the level of public support for tobacco endgame policies and the attitudes of policymakers, aiming to inform effective strategies for tobacco control and public health advancement in Georgia.
How does the project build upon what you have learned during your studies in the School of Public Health?
This project has allowed me to apply the skills I’ve developed during my M.P.H. program. By leveraging my knowledge of epidemiological methods, health promotion and data analysis, I conducted a comprehensive literature review and synthesized evidence from multiple studies. Through these efforts, I assessed the public health implications of tobacco harm reduction strategies, learning to interpret data and apply it to real-world public health strategies and policy decisions.
How do you think it will prepare you for your career after graduation?
Working on this project has equipped me with practical experience in global public health research, stakeholder analysis and policy evaluation. These skills are invaluable for roles in public health advocacy, policy development or research, where understanding the intersection of industry influence and public health is crucial.
What do you want to do after graduation (or what do you have planned after graduation)?
After graduation, I plan to continue working in global health research, with a focus on tobacco control and public health initiatives. My long-term goal is to contribute to evidence-based strategies that promote public health, address health disparities and minimize the influence of harmful industries. I am particularly passionate about working on international collaborations that strengthen health systems and support vulnerable populations through impactful interventions.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
This project has given me the incredible opportunity to present my research at the upcoming Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) conference. It’s an exciting platform to share my findings, connect with public health experts, and gain valuable feedback to refine my understanding of tobacco harm reduction and its implications for public health policies. As a dentist, I’ve always been interested in exploring the impacts of tobacco, and this project has been a perfect opportunity to combine my passion for research with public health advocacy. It has also shown me the importance of vigilance in public health policy to counter corporate influence and the power of collaborative research in driving meaningful change.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the GSU School of Public Health, Dr. George Bakhturidze, Dr. Popova, and all the GSU professors for equipping me with the skills, knowledge, and guidance needed to pursue this impactful research and for their unwavering support throughout this journey.”
Can you briefly describe your project?
For my APE Mentorship in Global Tobacco Research, I am working under the guidance of Dr. Bai Cham on a project that is researching the drivers of intravaginal smokeless tobacco (taba) use among women in The Gambia. The smokeless tobacco product is locally known as taba, and it is believed that it is being used in several countries in the global south, but little is known about the motivators for usage and possible health consequences. Before my involvement in the project, in-depth interviews with current and former taba users, as well as male partners of taba users, were conducted. I am now participating in qualitative analysis of these interviews to identify common themes and better understand the factors influencing taba use in The Gambia. In the near future, I will begin contributing to the writing of the conference abstract and manuscript to share our findings.
How does the project build upon what you have learned during your studies in the School of Public Health?
This project builds upon what I have learned during my studies in the School of Public Health because I am applying key skills in literature reviews, study design and qualitative data analysis in a real-world context. Furthermore, I am interpreting the results of data analysis for public health research, assessing population needs, evaluating risk factors and their relationship to health outcomes, and communicating public health content in writing — all of which are considered learning competencies of the Master of Public Health in Epidemiology program.
How do you think it will prepare you for your career after graduation?
This project is preparing me for my career after graduation because it is equipping me with valuable skills and experience in study design, qualitative data analysis and interpretation, and manuscript writing. Additionally, I have learned how to navigate and utilize NVivo to manage and analyze qualitative data, further expanding my skill set. Overall, these experiences are setting me up for a successful career in the public health field.
What do you want to do after graduation (or what do you have planned after graduation)?
After graduation, I aspire to pursue a career in infectious disease epidemiology. However, I would be thrilled to work in any area of public health, as I am deeply passionate about the field as a whole. Overall, I believe the GSU School of Public Health, along with this research experience, has prepared me to enter the public health workforce and succeed in any path I pursue.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I am very thankful to Dr. Popova and Dr. Cham for providing GSU M.P.H. students with this valuable and enriching research opportunity.