November 26, 2024

Maandeeq Nasradin Ali is a second year MPH student majoring in Epidemiology with a minor in Maternal and Child Health at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health.

Maandeeq first became interested in maternal and child health (MCH) during an internship she completed as an undergraduate. During this internship she worked with children affected by galactosemia.

Seeing the work of speech and language pathologists and lab members in the Babble Boot Camp program, she saw how early intervention could truly make a world of difference in children's developmental outcomes. This experience highlighted for how important early childhood development and intervention are in public health, which ultimately inspired Maandeeq’s passion for a career in maternal and child health.

This past summer Maandeeq completed her Applied Practical Experience (APE) with the Bureau of Family Health (BFH) at the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The BFH manages the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services block grant in Pennsylvania. The block grant supports MCH programs and initiatives throughout the Commonwealth.

During her APE, Maandeeq explored the intersection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). She worked closely with her preceptor, gaining insights into the work of MCH professionals in state government.

Her work from this project will help the bureau develop evidence-based recommendations and guide future research. Deliverables will be shared with providers and programs supported by the BFH who work with families with children with ASD and/or TBI.

What drew you to this project?

As an MPH epidemiology student, I was excited to dive into hands-on experience in the field of MCH.

This project provided an opportunity to explore the associations between TBI and ASD through both an epidemiological and clinical perspective. I was especially drawn to how the project's emphasis on bringing together current research matched my interest for evidence-based practice and my eagerness to contribute to the understanding of complex neurodevelopmental conditions that impact children.

The chance to collaborate with the PA Department of Health also allowed me to witness firsthand how research can truly shape public health practices in the field of maternal and child health.

What did you do on the project? What products did you produce?

I had the pleasure of collaborating with the members at the PA Department of Health, Bureau of Family Health, where I explored extensive literature reviews that investigated the intersection of TBI and ASD. My main role was to synthesize the findings from the literature review to uncover shared symptoms and neurological characteristics, research gaps, and to suggest future research directions, especially focusing on how these conditions interact and impact our pediatric populations.

This project led to the creation of two deliverables, including a concise one-page summary and an infographic geared towards public health professionals that clearly shared the key findings and recommendations for clinical practice and future research directions.

What did you learn from the experience?

Through this experience, I gained amazing insights into the fascinating complexities of neurodevelopmental disorders and how they intersect with various factors. I had the opportunity to learn how to sift through large amounts of scientific literature and turn intricate findings into helpful recommendations for healthcare providers.

This project really increased my understanding of how socioeconomic and cultural factors can affect access to care and treatment outcomes. Moreover, I developed a greater appreciation for the significance of multidisciplinary approaches in tackling complex health conditions, especially when it comes to pediatric populations.

How did your training at Dornsife prepare you for the experience? How did the experience augment your training experience at Dornsife?

I started my MCH studies at Dornsife with the Global Issues in Maternal and Child Health (CHP518) course, which gave me a thorough grasp of the issues and scope of the sector from a global standpoint.

I was able to better understand important ideas like population-level approaches to maternal and child health, worldwide viewpoints on the provision of pediatric healthcare, and the significance of taking socioeconomic and cultural factors into account when designing health interventions. Additionally, the course introduced me to evidence-based interventions and research techniques used in MCH studies with the goal of enhancing child health outcomes.

Together with my epidemiology education, this core understanding gave me the tools I needed to conduct in-depth literature reviews, evaluate study methods, and synthesize intricate health data. I also developed a solid grasp of how clinical practice and public health intersect, as well as how to successfully convey findings to a variety of stakeholders. These abilities improved my capacity to use evidence-based strategies to improve health outcomes while also preparing me to handle real-world obstacles in MCH.

How did it impact your future educational and/or career goals?

This research experience solidified my passion for working as an epidemiologist in the maternal and child health field, especially in areas where I can blend rigorous research methodologies with real-world applications as well as assist in bridging the gaps in research and impactful interventions for children with unique medical conditions.

As I saw how combining perspectives from clinical practice, epidemiology, and public health policy can produced more thorough and beneficial health recommendation, the experience also showed me the need of interdisciplinary collaboration in public health research and how epidemiological research can directly impact clinical practice and policy development in pediatric healthcare. I look forward to applying these skills in future roles where I can continue to bridge the gap between research and practical applications in MCH.

What advice would you give to current MCH students?

I would encourage all current MCH students to seek out opportunities that blend research with practical application. Building strong literature review and research synthesis skills is super important for public health practice since these skills will be invaluable no matter what career path you choose. Moreover, make the most out of working closely with preceptors and soak up their expertise. Don’t hesitate to dive into complex topics or interdisciplinary projects, as these experiences often offer the most enriching learning opportunities. Lastly, keep yourself updated with the latest research and policies in your field of interest, as the world of public health is ever changing.

Drexel students who would like to learn more about MCH internship opportunities can reach out to MCH program coordinator Renee Davis, MD, MPH.

Dornsife's Maternal and Child Health Program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.