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Ph.D. student Bria Lain is researching how psychosocial and environmental factors influence Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. She aims to advance chronic disease prevention and health equity through epidemiologic research that improves public health programs and health outcomes.
Name: Bria Lain
Hometown: Originally New Orleans, Louisiana but raised in Fayetteville, Georgia
Undergraduate and master’s degrees and institutions:
I received my B.S. in Biological Sciences from Hampton University and my Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine from Tulane University.
Expected date of graduation: May 2029
Ph.D. concentration: Epidemiology
Dissertation advisor: Kevin Maloney
Why did you choose the Georgia State School of Public Health?
I chose the Georgia State School of Public Health because of its focus on research, health equity and addressing real-world public health challenges. I was particularly interested in the epidemiology program because it gives me the opportunity to strengthen my research skills while continuing to explore my interests in chronic disease epidemiology. Being in Atlanta was also important to me because of the city’s strong public health community and the opportunities to learn and grow professionally.
Tell us about your research:
My research interests focus on understanding how psychosocial and environmental factors influence type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. I am particularly interested in the biological, behavioral and social pathways that may help explain how these factors influence disease risk and health outcomes. As I continue developing my research, I hope to better understand these relationships and contribute to epidemiologic research that can improve prevention and health outcomes.
What’s been your most memorable experience so far in the Ph.D. program?
One of my most memorable experiences was making it through my first semester of biostatistics! I had been out of school for several years, so I was nervous about getting back into the swing of things. By the end of the semester, I remember thinking, “Okay, I still remember how to do this; I can actually do this Ph.D. thing!” It was a small but really rewarding moment that gave me confidence going into the rest of the program.
What’s your career aspiration?
My career aspiration is to become an epidemiologist and researcher focused on chronic disease prevention and health equity. I hope to conduct research that helps us better understand what contributes to disease risk and health outcomes and to use that knowledge to improve public health programs and prevention efforts.