SU's Kost Presents Research at European Public Health Conference
By SU Public Relations
SALISBURY, MD---The research of one student in Salisbury University’s Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College landed her among professionals, graduate and doctoral students from institutions and agencies across the world at the 16th Annual European Public Health Conference in Dublin, Ireland.
Senior Jamie Kost, a public health major from La Plata, MD, presented her Honors thesis research, “Does Being Neighborly Impact the Social Fabric of a Community? Probing the Relationship Between Social Capital and Health Outcomes.”
“This was by far the most challenging and extensive project I’ve ever completed,” said Kost. “I learned so many new skills like research and exploring secondary data, understanding software and analyzing findings. I never thought the end result could be so rewarding and allow me to travel to a new country and present to and among international professionals at the height of their academic careers.”
The conference submission was an optional endeavor following Kost’s spring honors course with faculty research mentor Dr. Sherry Maykrantz, associate professor of public health, who accompanied Kost to Ireland.
“International exposure at any level is huge, but at the undergraduate level is beyond impressive,” said Maykrantz. “Jamie worked diligently to make this happen, and it was entirely voluntary. I am so proud of her and excited for her future endeavors in graduate school and beyond.”
Kost’s research explores how social support such as neighborly favors, trust in neighbors and collective community work on projects can impact health outcomes.
“The overwhelming takeaway is how damaging self-isolation from your community can be,” said Kost. “People need others in their lives. We are social beings and need to keep connections to lead fulfilled and healthy lives. To have scientific data with well-documented health effects to support this is quite an amazing and interesting thing to explore.”
The trip was Kost’s second time out of the country with Maykrantz, having previously explored public health and drug policies in Portugal during last winter’s Global Seminar.
“SU’s Public Health Program and Clarke Honors College have provided unbelievable undergraduate opportunities and fostered faculty and student connections that I would have never had otherwise,” said Kost. “The countless adventures and education I’ve had outside of the classroom have defined my collegiate experience.”
“Jamie follows a long lineage of public health majors and honors students who have presented at professional conferences,” said Maykrantz. “She is the latest success story of our ongoing encouragement and support of undergraduate research.”
For more information on SU’s public health major and Clark Honors College, visit the program and college webpages.
Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at the SU website.