Meet new SPPH Assistant Professor Dr. Priyanka Dubey, PhD:
What originally encouraged you to teach and work in the public health/health space?
I was not formally introduced to public health until my doctoral program. All I knew was that I wanted to work with people who are often marginalized by society, amplify their voices, communicate nuanced truths and gain a complete understanding of society.
I gradually started realizing that everything is connected to public health. Public health is not just the concern of one set of experts and professionals, but it’s a unique field that offers space for everyone to contribute uniquely. Whether through advocacy, research, policy-making, or community outreach, there are countless avenues for people to make a difference. It’s incredibly motivating to understand that addressing one aspect of a health challenge can have a ripple effect impacting other areas of life. This interconnectedness emphasizes the potential impact of public health interventions and underscores the significance of a comprehensive approach to well-being.
What brought you to Boise State University?
In my doctoral program, I discovered my passion for teaching. My dream was to find a place where I could pursue both teaching and research. Very few places allow one to do both, and SPPH at Boise State provided me with the perfect opportunity to do just that.
During my initial interactions with the faculty and staff, I observed the dedication people have at SPPH to supporting the students through the entire cycle of their program, developing a committed public health workforce, and advancing public health practice. I hope to emulate these practices for my students as well.
What course or topic are you most excited to teach and why?
I am eager to teach topics based on my research, which involves applying techniques to engage with communities and using theories and frameworks to understand and promote community health. My passion lies in community engagement and building trust with the community to effectively engage with them. I find community engagement fascinating because it uses intricate techniques that differ from one context to another, keeping the topic area constantly new.
I also love to teach about topical areas such as global, menstrual, and sexual and reproductive health, community based research methods. I hope to train a highly skilled public health workforce capable of conducting community-engaged work to promote health equity.
What sort of research or project (current or future) are you excited about and why?
My dissertation research focused on menstrual health among trans and non-binary folx. I plan to extend my dissertation research, where I conducted a cross-cultural translation of a scale that assesses the menstrual health needs of trans and non-binary folx in India. I plan to test and refine the scale further. I am also exploring the mechanisms of the impact of menstrual health social norms on mental health among adolescents and young adults.
What do you enjoy doing for fun?
I have an array of interests, crocheting, collecting vintage fountain pens, swatching inks, traveling, hiking, among other interests. I also love to explore quaint cafes to journal and read.