SCHOLARSHIP
Through careful study, Heller faculty, students and alumni strive to deepen our understanding of the social issues we face. Heller’s Institute on Assets and Social Policy has shown that the wealth gap between white and African-American families increased more than 400 percent between 1984 and 2007. Alexandra Bastien, MPP’12, coded followup interviews with research participants, helping to track changes in economic status. “I was in the poverty concentration in the master’s program, and I am African-American, so working with leading researchers examining poverty along racial lines is an amazing opportunity,” Bastien says. Janet Poppendieck, MA’72, PhD’79, has spent decades researching poverty, hunger and food assistance in the U.S. Her latest book reveals the connection between nutrition and education. “Free for All: Fixing School Food in America” has drawn widespread praise for its analysis of school food programs. Poppendieck reveals the social, political and financial forces that created the current system, and shows how poor nutrition threatens children’s health and learning abilities.
In addition to engaging communities served, nonprofits must be effective at generating support in the wider community. Pem Brown, MPP’11, senior associate at M+R Strategic Services, helps nonprofits do just that. Recently, he and his colleagues helped to drive a record-breaking 1.1 million comments to the FDA in support of labeling genetically engineered foods. Brown has also helped USAgainstAlzheimer’s mobilize people living with Alzheimer’s, family members, caregivers and other concerned individuals to advocate for eradicating this disease. EVALUATION
Through her work with Heller’s Institute for Behavioral Health, doctoral candidate Amity Quinn is helping to assess how health care legislation is affecting consumer access to behavioral health services, gaining formidable research skills along the way. “The survey research and sampling methods I’ve learned, combined with incredible mentorship, are helping to make me the researcher I want to be,” says Quinn. Her dissertation will examine the coordination of primary care with treatment for severe mental illness and substanceuse disorders.
ENGAGEMENT
Through research with Heller’s Institute for Behavioral Health within the Schneider Institutes for Health Policy, doctoral candidate Rachel Sayko Adams is shedding new light on factors impacting behavioral health among active-duty military personnel. Her dissertation examines the association between combat-acquired traumatic brain injury and unhealthy drinking behaviors among military personnel upon their return from deployment. Adams’ dissertation has implications for clinical care and policy that could contribute to more effective prevention and treatment, and improved force readiness.
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PRACTICE
In her current role as senior technical adviser at the USAID Office of HIV/AIDS, Ugochukwu Amanyeiwe, MS’07, supports the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of both centrally and country-mission funded initiatives. She also works with various global stakeholders, including WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF and DFID, to develop globally accepted strategies for HIV/ AIDS care and support programs.