Find Out More
Epidemiologists design and conduct investigations aimed at improving the health of groups of people by combining knowledge from the social sciences, medicine, biology, the environment, and statistics.
January 7, 2025 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
Eric Mishio Bawa recently received the Laurence G Branch Doctoral Student Research Award from the American Public Health Association for his research into the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias throughout South Carolina. Working with Maggi Miller, co-director of the Office for the Study of Aging, where Mishio Bawa is a graduate research assistant, the team looked at the distribution of these conditions from the state to zip code level using data from the South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry.
“My research interests include aging, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases,” the Ph.D. in Epidemiology student says. “My interest in these areas is shaped by my commitment to improving health outcomes across the life course. Through academic and professional experience, I have recognized the importance of identifying and developing interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality from conditions like dementia and cardiovascular disease.”
Mishio Bawa began his health career by studying medical laboratory technology at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. He then earned a Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (University of Development Studies) and master’s in applied epidemiology and disease control (University of Ghana). When he decided to pursue a doctoral degree, Mishio Bawa followed the advice of fellow Ghanian and recent Arnold School graduate, Maxwell Akonde.
“I was inspired by the good work he was doing here, leading me to believe USC has the environment to support and help international students grow,” he says. “I was also thrilled by the excellent research conducted by the faculty.”
Since arriving in 2022, the Norman J. Arnold Doctoral Fellow has worked with the Office for the Study of Aging, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Maternal and Child Health Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (MCH-LEAP) Program. He has enjoyed the beautiful landscape and river walks, welcoming culture and reasonable cost of living in Columbia – all of which have enriched and balanced his academic and personal pursuits.
“The Arnold School of Public Health at USC has an environment that supports and promotes collaboration – fostering meaningful connections between me and my mentors, whose distinguished personalities motivate me to achieve more and to make the world a better place,” Mishio Bawa says of working with faculty and staff like Miller, Anwar Merchant, Daniela Friedman, Jihong Liu, Linda Hazlett, Michael Beets and Maria Sophocleous. “Between the school and the community, I have always felt a sense of belonging despite being far from home.”
After completing his degree, Mishio Bawa plans to pursue a career in public health. Specifically, he’d like to conduct interdisciplinary research to inform interventions and policies that improve health outcomes.
“My degree has equipped me with advanced research skills, including epidemiological methods and statistical analysis, which are critical for addressing complex research problems in public health,” he says. “In addition, it has provided me with the opportunity to collaborate with mentors and colleagues, an experience that will be invaluable for my career goals.”