Meet Our Team
Wura Jacobs, Ph.D.
Lab Director
Wura Jacobs is an Assistant Professor of Applied Health Science at Indiana University Bloomington. Her work uses quantitative methodologies and social network analysis, to:
1) contribute to the body of knowledge and practice focused on combatting harmful risk factors, and 2) facilitate expansion of protective behavioral, socio-environmental, and cultural factors associated with substance use among adolescents and young adults, especially minority adolescents who are most vulnerable. Her research has been funded by National Cancer Institute, Indiana University, and California State University.
Dr. Jacobs is a current member of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, American Public Health Association, and American Academy of Health Behavior. She holds a PhD in Health Education/Behavior/Promotion and a Master's degree in Health Communication both from Texas A&M University, College Station. During her free time, she enjoys reading suspense novels/legal thrillers, crafting, and taking walks.
Weisiyu Qin (Abraham)
Graduate Researcher
Weisiyu Qin (Abraham) is a doctoral student at Indiana University exploring the novel practices of marijuana consumption among adolescents and young adults. He holds a Master of Public Health, Master of Health Administration, and a Master of Business Administration. Previously, Abraham worked as an Analyst for the Health Department of Kansas City, MO. He worked as a research assistant for the Department of Applied Health Science at Indiana University before becoming an Associate Instructor. He is also a member of the American Psychological Association. During his spare time, he studies Classical Studies, East Asian Studies, Numismatic Studies, and International Relations.
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Sandiya Sajan
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Sandiya Sajan is a senior undergraduate pre-med student studying Epidemiology at Indiana University. Following her undergraduate career, she plans to attend medical school. During her free time, Sandiya enjoys writing, painting, and reading.
Veronica Lowry
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Veronica Lowry is a junior undergraduate student studying Epidemiology with a Chemistry and Biology minor. She plans to attend graduate school to earn a Master’s in Public Health followed by medical school. In her spare time, Veronica enjoys rock climbing, playing drums, and board games.
Antara Deshmukh
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Antara Deshmukh is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Epidemiology with minors in Human Sexuality and Global Health Promotion. She has previous experience in public health interning at UTHealth with Project HOMES determining smoking cessation tactics for those in opioid recovery homes, as well as working at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, IL as a Health Intern. She plans to pursue a Master's of Public Health after finishing her undergraduate degree. During her free time, Antara enjoys reading, running and playing tennis.
Alane Bristow
Graduate Research Assistant
Alane Bristow is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Southern California. She has a B.S. in Health Science from California State University, Fullerton where she first worked as a Research Assistant. She also worked as a Health Education Intern at the Orange County Health Care Agency to develop community outreach programs. After graduating, she worked as a Research Assistant for a nonprofit organization in Austin, TX, where she provided research and administrative support on multiple grant funded public health projects. During her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing tennis, running, and spending time with her two Pembroke Welsh Corgis.