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Originally from Oahu, Hawaii, Nicole (Nicky) DeVille joined the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the School of Public Health as an assistant professor and now calls “Island 9” home.
But her plans didn’t always involve public health. She started her studies at Stanford University and was planning to become a doctor. To stand out in her future medical school applications, she majored in international studies. In her elective course titled Critical Issues in International Women’s Health she studied public health and found that her path combined with her own interests in medicine and policy. .
From there, she earned a master’s degree in public health from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and completed an apprenticeship in the Republic of Palau, where she worked with the Department of Health’s Division of Non-Communicable Diseases to conduct health care needs assessments and assessments. She completed the program and received her Ph.D. at the University of California, Illvine. After a postdoctoral fellowship in environmental epidemiology at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, she was drawn back to the West.
Please tell us about your research interests.
My current research uses a spatiotemporal approach to examine multiple environmental and situational exposures (air pollution, green space, neighborhood socioeconomic conditions, etc.) on health disparities in outcomes such as cardiovascular disease and cognitive function. ) is focused on investigating the impact of
My broad research interests include environmental epidemiology, social epidemiology, environmental mixtures, mental health and wellness, maternal and child health, Pacific Island and Indigenous health disparities, and public health pedagogy.
Why did you choose UNLV?
I was thrilled with the prospect of joining the UNLV School of Public Health, as faculty, students and centers are doing innovative and important work, especially when it comes to addressing health disparities and social determinants of health. . I also appreciate that UNLV is consistently recognized for the diversity of its students, staff and faculty, and would love to work for Minority Assistance Institutions (MSI) and Asian American and Pacific Islander Indigenous Assistance Agency (ANAPISI). rice field. ).
Finally, Las Vegas and its surrounding areas are home to a relatively large number of Pacific Islanders and Indigenous peoples. They frequently experience chronic conditions such as disproportionate environmental exposures, social stressors, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health conditions. . My research agenda focuses on using biostatistics, epidemiological methods and spatial analysis to characterize the complex mix of environmental and contextual exposures that contribute to health disparities. However, I am very interested in expanding my research program to incorporate more mixed-methods research, particularly community-based participatory research, addressing health disparities among Pacific Islanders and Nevada Indigenous peoples. I thought there was an opportunity to work on it.
What do you find most rewarding about working in public health?
I really enjoy the multidisciplinary and dynamic nature of public health. Many public health problems cannot be solved through a single lens or perspective, and the solutions that worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. One of the most rewarding aspects of working in this field is learning from others in different disciplines and sectors and working together to tackle complex public health problems.
Mentorship plays an important role in student success. How did your mentor help you, and what impact do you hope to have on your students?
My mentor encouraged me to pursue projects that interested me and always provided opportunities for professional and personal growth. Most of all, my academic mentor for my PhD was a postdoc who showed compassion and always treated me first as a human being. My mentor gave an excellent example of what it means to develop a mentee. I want to pass on to future students the lessons they taught me.
While completing my PhD at the University of California, Irvine, I worked with the public health officer for undergraduate education on an initiative called Empowering Students to Succeed in Public Health. This initiative provided first-generation, lower-educated students with discipline-specific programs focused on academic success and personal and professional development. – Undergraduate students affiliated with the Faculty of Income (FGLI). We were funded by the Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education and conducted pilot programs including panel presentations, thematic group discussions, exchange/networking events and a peer mentorship program. In the following year, I co-developed and co-led his one-year seminar focused on academic, personal and professional development topics identified from pilot program evaluations. Pilot programs and seminars attended approximately 20% of her FGLI students within the faculty.
In addition, I served as a leadership coach for the Undergraduate Education Division’s Diverse Educational Communities and PhD Experiences: Partnerships in Leadership for Undergraduate Students program, where I mentored 15 undergraduates who were described as first-generation low-income scholars. I was privileged to lead the Having greatly benefited from teaching in higher education, I am very passionate about working with these students.
What do you love most about living in Las Vegas? Did anything surprise you when you moved here?
I’m from Oahu, Hawaii, and Las Vegas is nicknamed the “Ninth Island.” What originally started out as a popular vacation destination has become home to perhaps the largest Hawaiian population outside of Hawaii. It’s great to see so many other Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and people who remind me of home. My office is directly across from a Hawaiian restaurant (Aloha Kitchen) and a Poke shop (Poke Heaven).
One of my favorite things about Las Vegas is how diverse the city is. I love food so I appreciate that there are so many different types of dishes I want to try. Advice is always welcome. We also appreciate the abundance of outdoor activities and the close proximity to several national parks. I know it’s not that surprising, but what surprised me the most was that out of nowhere the wind picked up.
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Eye Thunder (AANHPI) Heritage Month. As a member of this community, how has this part of your identity shaped your interest in research in public health?
As a native Hawaiian and Chamorro, my cultural tapestry has had a huge impact on my studies and future plans. I have been very lucky to live and travel in the Pacific Ocean. During my time at the University of Hawaii, I gained considerable experience collecting data in school settings and taught substance abuse prevention curricula to under-educated middle and high school students on Oahu.
As a research fellow at the University of California, Psychiatry, I conducted a school-based alcohol abuse intervention program and conducted secondary data analysis of pre- and post-intervention survey data from community organizations that provided guidance to a study of culturally diverse undergraduates. I took command of the team. team. It was through these first research experiences that I was exposed to health disparities within the community. Ultimately, my vision as a professor and researcher is to reduce health disparities among Pacific Islanders, Indigenous peoples and other vulnerable, underserved and historically marginalized populations. and continue to work towards improving their health.
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Although some prejudices still exist, we are seeing more open conversations about mental health, especially among young people and the AANHPI community.
What are some simple tips to improve our mental health and wellness?
I believe it is very important to discuss mental health more openly. While conversations like this have become more frequent, I’ve noticed that it seems like we’re being asked to address our mental health when the crisis hits. We believe we can do more to help individuals before they find themselves in such situations.
May 10 was also Mental Health Day for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Awareness of mental health issues unique to the AANHPI community is growing, especially given the rise in anti-AANHPI rhetoric over the last few years, and many national and community-based organizations are working to increase access to culturally-adapted healthcare. , advocating better policies. Mental health services for this population.
Here are some quick and easy mental health and wellness tips that everyone can practice regularly and keep in mind.
- One of the great things we can do for our mental health is to take a walk outside. This can improve mood, restore attention, and even stimulate creativity. There is nothing wrong with following these steps.
- Find things and people that keep you grounded and fill your cup. I started practicing yoga and meditation in graduate school. Taking time for yourself, even if it’s just for a few minutes, makes a huge difference.
- Finally, be kind to yourself and others.
If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger college self, what would you say?
Throughout my academic career, and throughout my life, I have learned that rejection and the fear of “I’m not good enough” shouldn’t keep me from taking risks and taking advantage of what could be great opportunities. I learned. There is a lesson to be learned from every person and situation you encounter, even when things seem to go your way.
Are there any interesting facts about yourself that your students might not know?
I played rugby at Stanford and UC Irvine.
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