Students

Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG)

The purpose of the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG), according to the by- laws, is to serve as an appropriate voice on campus for graduate students, to meet the various needs of graduate students, and to establish a liaison between graduate faculty, graduate students, and the University. The UNC Charlotte GPSG is here to serve as an advocate for students, and it will be as strong and effective as the passion and participation of its members; thus, your active participation will ensure that your issues are heard and addressed.

The HSR PhD program also has a student organization, which meets monthly during the fall and spring semesters. Active members of the student organization who regularly attend its meetings and participate in related activities may be eligible for travel funding to support attendance at academic conferences.

	Name/Year Started: Scott Robinson (2010) From: UK, Peterborough; Prior to Charlotte-USA, Albuquerque, NM Academic Background: BA, Biology/Sociology and Chemistry minor; MA, Sociology; MPH, Epidemiology, PHD coursework, Biostatistics Program Focus/Specialty: Health Outcomes, large admistrative data, epidemiology in areas such as post-operative pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), atrial fibrillation and bacteremia Teaching Interests: Possibly an analytics course Research Interests: Health outcomes, disparities, large date, COPD, atrial fibrillation, post-operative pain, bacteremia CV: (link)
	Name/Year Started: Ian Hewer (2010) From: England originally. In US for 23 years, currently living in Asheville, NC. Academic Background: Mostly nursing. BN (Univ of Southampton); MA (Sociology, NYU); MSN (Nurse Anesthesia, UCSF) Program Focus: Health Services Research Teaching Interests: Currently clinical anesthesia Research Interests: Health policy/ economics, clinical implementation of academic research
	Name/Year Started: Grace Ngugi (2011) From: Nairobi, Kenya Academic Background: MS, University of Oxford; MPH, University of Albany (SUNY) Program Focus/Specialty: Health Policy Teaching Interests: History of public health/health services research, health behavior, health education/health promotion, reproductive health, environmental and occupational health, global health topics; health care systems Research Interests: Health care disparities and vulnerable populations, social determinants of health, health equity, quality of life; needs assessment,health care utilization patterns, outcomes research, efficiency andcost-effectiveness, quality and safety of care; health delivery structures; theory and evidence-based approaches to research, policy, and program planning; translational research; coordinated systems of care; women’s health, urban health; obesity and chronic disease (diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) prevention, nutrition therapy; green spaces and therapeutic environments; spirituality and health.
	Name/Year Started: Josephine Appiah (2012) From: Freeport, IL Academic Background: BS Community Health (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign); MPH (Texas A&M) Program Focus/Specialty: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Teaching Interests: Health education, health promotion, public health systems Research Interests: Adolescent substance abuse and misuse, prescription drug misuse, barriers to substance abuse treatment access and utilization, intervention, program planning and evaluation, health disparities CV: (link)
	Name/Year Started: Sara Shahbazi (2013) From: Tehran, Iran Academic Background: BSM, MSPH Program Focus/Specialty: Health Services Utilization and Research Methods Teaching Interests: Biostatistics Research Interests: Data warehousing, data management, data analysis, maternal and child health, women’s health, minority health and rural health
	Name/Year Started: Patrick Sery (2014) From: Cote D’Ivoire, Daloa Academic Background: BS in Computer Information System, California State University Los Angeles; PSM in Health Informatics, UNC Charlotte Program Focus/Specialty: Health Disparities, Health Services Utilization and Cost, and Research Methods Teaching Interests: Biostatistics Research Interests: Health outcomes and disparities, data analysis