IPPH summer internship focused on student research

Can an app help parolees with Substance Use Disorder overcome their addictions? Augusta University graduate student Rebecca Howell has teamed up with Institute of Public and Preventative Health associate professor J. Aaron Johnson to study how a recovery support app can assist ex-convicts in the battle against drugs and alcohol abuse.

Howell’s study is one of the many projects being conducted during IPPH’s annual Summer Public Health Scholars Program. She is one of 10 scholars selected for the rigorous internship and the students will work with an assigned IPPH professor to research topics in their mentor’s area of expertise. Additionally, the students will attend weekly seminars taught by esteemed public health professionals including Dr. Dan Blumenthal, president of the American College of Preventive Medicine.

“I am very fortunate to be given an opportunity to participate in such innovative research as a graduate student,” said Howell. “IPPH’s summer scholar program is truly a great experience.”

This is the second year IPPH has offered this internship and program coordinator Nancy Webb says the hands-on training is a great benefit for both the student and university.

“IPPH’s summer program is a win-win for our students and our university because we are giving scholars access to cutting-edge research as well as an experience that they can use in their fields of study,” Webb said.

At the end of the program, scholars will showcase their work with a poster presentation and their work will be published in the Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association.  To learn more about IPPH’s Summer Public Health Scholars Program, visit http://www.augusta.edu/institutes/ipph/summerscholarprogram.php