The Department of Population Health Sciences (DPHS) at Duke University is thrilled to welcome our newest cohort of BRIDGE Scholars for the 2024-2025 academic year. The BRIDGE Program (Building Research Inclusion & Diversity in Graduate Education) is dedicated to educating, mentoring, and supporting a diverse and talented workforce equipped to improve population health, reduce health disparities, and advance health equity locally and globally.
Our new scholars are:
- Logan Bailey is a first-generation college graduate from rural South Carolina and an incoming DPHS master's student. He earned his bachelor's degrees in neuroscience and psychology from the University of South Carolina, with a concentration in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience and leadership distinction in research. Logan aims to further explore the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and public health to contribute to improving health outcomes in diverse populations.
- Sahar Shibeika is a current DPHS master's student who actively contributes as a research assistant on multiple projects. Her academic and professional journey is fueled by a deep passion for geriatrics, caregiving, aging, cardiovascular diseases, health policy, and health services research. Sahar is a trained pharmacist with a master's degree in pharmaceutical technology. Her work is characterized by a holistic approach to understanding and addressing the complex challenges within the healthcare system, particularly those affecting the aging population.
- Daekiara Smith-Ireland is a committed scholar and advocate for health equity, currently pursuing her doctorate in Public Health at Mercer University, specializing in Social Epidemiology. Daekiara also holds a master's in public health from Mercer, and bachelor's in biology from Clark Atlanta University. Her research has significantly contributed to projects focused on cardiovascular health and sleep disparities among African Americans, leading to culturally sensitive interventions.
- Andrea Thoumi is an incoming DPHS PhD student and is the Area Lead for Community Health, and the Equity and Faculty Director of Health Equity Education at the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy. She obtained her master's in public policy from Georgetown University, along with a master's in health policy, planning, and financing from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a bachelor's in community health and international relations from Tufts University. Andrea aims to focus her research on mitigating systemic policy barriers that Latiné populations experience.
- Alexandria Woods is a proud first-generation college graduate of Norfolk State University, where she earned her bachelor's in biology with a minor in chemistry. She is currently pursuing her master's in public health from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Recently, Alexandria participated in the Evidence2Practice Program with Duke University, where she focused on HIV research and awareness. During her senior year, Alexandria investigated the traces of illicit drugs in the Elizabeth River.
Many of our scholars choose to attend the upcoming DPHS Summer Institute with a 100% tuition scholarship. Throughout their year-long program, they participate in mentored, hands-on research activities and receive professional development and career transition support from top faculty and researchers. We are excited to nurture our scholars' growth and witness their journey.
Visit the BRIDGE Scholars page to learn more about the program and the successes of our past scholars.