Student Spotlight February 2021

    Jason Deakings

     

     

     

    Jason Deakings received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Slippery Rock University. He later attended Meharry Medical College and obtained his Master of Science in Public Health. Jason is a PHD candidate in the School of Public Health and Information Sciences here at the University of Louisville. He is completing the dissertation stage of his Doctoral program and has an anticipated graduation date of May 2022. 

     

     

    Interview:
    1. What brought you to the University of Louisville?

    The opportunity to obtain a PHD.

    2. Specific areas of research (how you chose this research, why it interested you):

    Black Men and Women’s Health

    Clinical Research participation uptake among Black people

    Social Justice and Health Equity

    3. How would you describe your area of study/ specific research to your a friend/family member unfamiliar with your field?

    The field of public health has to do with the prevention, promotion, and the protection of the public’s health and/or specific populations.  Public health is wide and broad as a discipline with unending topics including infectious and chronic disease, mental health and wellness, and police violence to name a few.  

    4. Awards and Publications:

    SREB-State Doctoral Program Fellow

    HSC ODI Health and Social Justice Scholar

    Cunningham Erves, J.C., Kelly-Taylor., Mayo-Gamble, T.L., Deakings, J., Forbes, L.  A Physician’s Recommendation for HPV vaccination: What makes African American Mothers compliant? Pediatric Infectious Disease. 

     Cunningham-Erves, J., Forbes, L., Ivankova, N., Mayo-Gamble, T., Kelly-Taylor, K., Deakings, J. (2018, March). Black mother's intention to vaccinate daughters against HPV: A mixed methods approach to identify opportunities for targeted communication. Gynecologic Oncology, DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2018.03.047.

     Cunningham Erves, J.C., Deakings, J., Mayo-Gamble, T.L., Kelly-Taylor., Miller, S. T. (2019, January).  Factors influencing parental trust in medical researchers for child and adolescent patients’ clinical trial participation.   Psychology Health Med, DOI: 10. 1080/13548506.2019.1566623. 

    5. What accomplishment, academic or otherwise, are you most proud of?

    Being in a space (i.e., academia/higher education) that was not designed for me in its inception. 

    6. What has been your favorite part of the graduate school experience at UofL?

    Being able to network with like-minded and not so like-minded people. 

    7. What do you feel is the greatest challenge that graduate students face and how have you dealt with this challenge?

    Imposter Syndrome!!!  I face head on, and combat the lie on a daily basis. 

    8.Have you ever participated in a PLAN workshop or Academy offered by the Graduate School? If so, how has it helped you in your graduate student journey?

    I have!  PLAN workshops allow you to prepare and gain skills in a number of different areas that are crucial to a graduate student’s success.  For the ones I have attended, I have used the takeaways to enhance my strategies for navigating the landscape of school. 

    Fun Facts
    A talent you have always wanted: 

    To be able to hide emotion on my face!

    Favorite book: 
    The Bluest Eye

    Favorite quote: 

    Darkness can not drive our darkness, only light can do that.  Hate can not drive out hate, only love can do that.  -MLK Jr.

    Role Model: 
    My Mother

    Favorite Vacation Destination: 
    Dominic Republic 

    If you weren’t in graduate school, what would you be doing now? 
    Probably in a call center with a wife and kids.