Meet Krystle Lawler: CDPHP Scholar and MPH Student

Where is "home" for you?

"Though I am not a native of the area, I feel that the Capital Region has become my home. This is where I have been able to come into my own both as an individual and a professional. The Capital Region is unique to me in that it is a smaller city, yet it is bustling with government-related work. Residing in the Capital Region is likely the largest factor in me deciding to pursue public health since it is the hub for many health initiatives and, of course, the New York State Department of Health. A lot of incredible work happens here."

Why did you end up choosing UAlbany?

"I chose the University at Albany because of the experiences that I had interpreting for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students at the university over the years. After being a part of many academic teams, it was clear that the University at Albany values diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Those are the things that made me want to become a Great Dane."

Can you share a bit about your background?

"My background is a bit unique in that I did not begin a career in public health or in a STEM-related field. I began working professionally as a full-time ASL/English Interpreter in the Capital Region and Western Massachusetts in 2015. I had a multitude of experiences interpreting between ASL and English language users in various settings with my primary interest being interpreting in medical settings and higher education.

Through my work, I was introduced to the University at Albany’s School of Public Health. While working as an interpreter, I was exposed to the foundations of public health, including epidemiology, biostatistics, social behavior, and environmental health sciences. The more I learned during my time working at SPH, I soon realized that major topics surrounding the Deaf/HOH community, most prominently language deprivation and language acquisition, could be examined using a public health lens. With this realization and with a global pandemic changing the course of how interpreting work could be performed, I decided to utilize my time as productively as I could and applied to the University at Albany’s MPH program with a concentration in Epidemiology so that I could enhance my abilities to perform research on the topics that I am most passionate about."

What are you most passionate about in public health?

"I am most passionate about making public health information accessible. A major role in my profession as an interpreter was to provide accessibility through language services that examined the meaning of one language and presented that meaning into another language. It required me to interpret implicit language into explicit language on topics that varied in complexity. I feel that the same theme applies to public health data in that if complicated topics are presented in a way that is accessible to an audience, one can maximize on that information and can make the best decisions for their individual health."

Where are you interning?

"I am currently in my one and only internship with Schenectady County Public Health Services. Before entering into the MPH program, I began working with Schenectady County Public Health Services on their COVID-19 Response team back in May of 2020. The experiences I’ve gained through performing wellness-checks, case investigations, and ultimately performing duties pertaining to data analysis and data visualization have been absolutely invaluable to my future in public health."

What are your career goals?

"Throughout the pandemic, I’ve grown to love the field of infectious disease and hope to pursue a career in HIV/AIDS work. What I enjoy the most about this particular area is that it overlaps with so many aspects of our world- it touches on both infectious and chronic disease, advocacy, accessibility, prevention, and so much more."