Sara Hildreth '22
Bio
Hello Friends! My name is Sara Hildreth and I am a current senior at UMD. I will be graduating this spring with a major in Public Health and minors in Psychology and Women Gender and Sexuality Studies. Next fall I will be attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for an MPH in Maternal and Child Health. This summer I will spend my break traveling across Europe learning about Women's Health and Policy on a global level as well as a solo trip to Iceland.
UROP
This semester my research proposal was funded through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). I worked alongside my mentor Dr. Jessica Hanson to plan and implement this study. The purpose of this study was to understand how Black, Indigenous, and women of color (BIPOC) are best served when presenting for doula support, and the impact that culturally congruent doulas, meaning they are also BIPOC, can have on positive birth outcomes. This study collected data on how BIPOC doulas can provide greater birthing outcomes and better birth experiences for BIPOC clients.
I also worked in partnership with Everyday Miracles, my current place of employment. The data collected will be used in future grant writing and to improve the overall doula program at Everyday Miracles. With 75% of our clients identifying as BIPOC, it is significant we spend time finding better ways to serve them.
Amy Harris '22
Bio
Hello, everyone! My name is Amy Harris and I am a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth studying biology and public health. After graduating next fall, I plan to attend medical school to specialize in rural family and emergency medicine. Outside of school, I am apart of PDURS as a research assistant for Dr. Hanson, the President of UMD Figure Skating, Vice President of Pre-Med Club, and a member of the Public Health Student Group, biology tutoring program, Mortar Board National Honors Society, and the SOPHE Collegiate Champion Mentor.
PDURS
This is my fifth semester working with Dr. Hanson as a research assistant! Our research focus is on alcohol consumption within American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women. This year, as a PDURS student, I developed my own research question, which analyzes the feasibility and acceptability of using EMA to assess alcohol use in AI/AN Women. Throughout my time working with Dr. Hanson, I had the opportunity to be co-authored on two papers and we are currently working on a third. I am so thankful for everything that I have learned. I recommend pursuing research to anyone who is considering it!