Krystyn Malveaux
Epidemiology MPH'20
Research Specialist (MCH Epidemiology Unit, Texas)
Tell me a little about yourself, your journey, and what you studied at Emory.
Sure! I’m from Houston, Texas, originally. I did my undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where I studied public health epidemiology and graduated in 2018. Before my final year at UTSA, I interned with the Georgia Department of Public Heath’s (GDPH) Maternal and Child Health Department via the CDC Public Health Scholars Program at Morehouse. During my time with the GDPH’s Maternal and Child Health department, I conducted survey analysis for the state’s WIC Program and researched family planning clinic encounters. That internship yielded a paper and poster after that experience which I presented at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. After completing my Bachelor of Science, I came to Emory in the fall of 2018 and joined the Epidemiology Department and the MCH Certificate.
How did you become interested in working with MCH populations?
I have always had an interest in maternal and child health, but it became a passion when I began to further my knowledge of health disparities. My work with the GDPH solidified my interest in the field and was my first professional introduction to it. I am specifically interested in continuing work on perinatal and postpartum health disparities between Black/African American women and non-Hispanic white women.
Can you talk a bit about the professional path you’ve taken since graduation?
I graduated in May of 2020 when most of the jobs were COVID-related. I moved back to Houston and served as a Staff Epidemiologist at the city of Houston Health Department, where I conducted case investigations and surveillance, delegated contacts to tracers, and monitored school outbreaks. I was beginning to experience burnout like many other public health professionals, so I transitioned in December 2020 to a position within the Texas Department of State Health Services Public Health Region 6/5S Community Health program as a Program Specialist. My role primarily consisted of developing Title V programs for the community. Of the bigger projects I worked on, I built a network for organizations that serve the maternal and child populations. I helped develop and lead a prenatal perinatal curriculum that will roll out early next year. I also worked on setting up lactation spaces at employment sites and worked to promote breastfeeding in the workplace.
What are you up to now?
I transitioned internally within the state, so I now work in the central office in Austin as a Research Specialist in the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Unit. My role serves as the lead analyst for PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System), which collects site-specific, population-based data on maternal attitudes and experiences before, during, and shortly after pregnancy. I will also assist with the annual Healthy Texas Mothers and Babies Data Book, conduct analyses on maternal and infant health factors, and review PRAMS proposals. As we prepare to enter a new PRAMS Phase, I have been assisting with survey development and other programmatic planning.
What is some advice you have for people who aspire to work in MCH?
In the beginning, one problem I faced was finding public health positions in the MCH field, so I think my takeaway would be to remain persistent and passionate. You may not get into the MCH professional field the way you envisioned, but by gaining other experience, I developed skills that are helping me succeed in my current role. Also, keep in contact with your cohort and Emory faculty and staff. My cohort is inspiring because everyone’s doing such different things. Michael (Dr. Kramer) has been super helpful post-graduation. Also, I’ve randomly crossed paths with Emory faculty in the MCH sphere. Keep in contact with Emory people because you never know what that connection will lend you.
From everyone at Emory MCH, we wish you continued success and fulfillment, Krystyn!
