Christine Glasheen
A post graduate experience works to improve the Navy's readiness against health threats
Christine Glasheen, an epidemiologist at the EpiData Center at the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, helps to unlock clues to public health mysteries. She is participating in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corp Public Health Center’s scholarship and fellowship program administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, a part of Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ Maryland Office Department of Defense Programs.
America’s military remains ready to take on the many threats facing the nation, and that includes threats to the health of the men and women serving their country around the world.
Christine Glasheen of Carmel, Ind., is an epidemiologist conducting research at the EpiData Center at the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center in Portsmouth, Va. Her research at EDC is part of an effort to unlock clues to public health mysteries and keep the military prepared for the worst.
Glasheen began her medical training at Purdue University where she received a Bachelor of Science in veterinary technology. From there she went to the University of Michigan earning a Master of Public Health in hospital and molecular epidemiology.
“I think that being an epidemiologist is a lot like being a detective,” Glasheen said. “You use data to try and figure out what is happening in your population and why.”
Glasheen was browsing the job website of Emory University’s Public Health Employment Connection when she ran across the chance to apply for the program at EDC, which is sponsored by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). “I wasn’t aware that there were military-related, public health, post-graduate fellowships,” Glasheen said.
In her day-to-day activities at EDC, Glasheen researches a variety of medical and behavioral issues, which include research on post-traumatic Stress Disorder, hearing loss and sexual health. Glasheen also uses health risk assessments to help determine how certain factors like smoking, stress, alcohol and exercise affect a person’s overall health.
“I really love coming to participate every day,” answered Glasheen when asked about her favorite parts of the program. “I know that the research I do makes a difference for the men and women who are serving in uniform.” In addition Glasheen noted the program has helped her become familiar with military culture and tradition.
Glasheen is learning to put the epidemiological principles she learned in school to work in real world situations. “With the different projects I’ve participated in, I really feel like I’ve gained valuable public health experience.”
The ORISE program gave Glasheen opportunities well beyond her offices on the Virginia shore. She has attended conferences in Florida and Johns Hopkins University, events she said help broaden the scope of her work. Her travels with the ORISE program also took her to Camp Lejeune and Washington, D.C. “All of these skills are essential to meeting my career goals and developing my skills,” said Glasheen.
Ten years from now Glasheen said she envisions herself working for the Department of Defense. Her research at EDC helps support the mission readiness of the U.S. Navy. “My participation helps provide Navy decision makers with information about their members so that they can make informed decisions.”
This post-graduate experience with ORISE proved a rewarding one for Glasheen. “If you had told me about the different experiences I would have had just one year out of grad school, I wouldn’t have believed it!”
Glasheen’s detective work may continue. She wants to return to EDC again and has completed the paperwork for another one-year fellowship. “I look forward to continuing my growth at the EpiData Center.”