User:Lthairu/sandbox

Lucy Thairu is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Mercyhurst University. Thairu grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, during a time when the country was poorer and many children suffered from malnutrition. She describes the many 'Kenyan children with red hair' as a result of protein energy malnutrition. This prompted her interest in studying nutrition at an early age. Her dream lead her to Nantes, France, where she studied for her degree in Biochemistry.

After graduation, Thairu earned a scholarship for graduate school at Cornell University. She received a doctorate in nutrition, with a minor in epidemiology and statistics.

After her doctoral work, Thairu taught Public Health at Stanford University and at Touro University. Thairu then left the academic world for two years when she worked as a supervising epidemiologist for the State of Tennessee and for the State of Georgia. However, Thairu's passion for teaching the next generation of Public Health professionals is what led her back to academia and to Mercyhurst. "I really wanted to come back to working in academia. Though working for the state was really nice and I got to do a lot of hands-on things, I looked forward to returning to the classroom."

Although nutrition and public health are Thairu's main focus, she would like students to learn about epidemiology. She cites the growing need for more professionals with a background in epidemiology and the great opportunities for students in the field.

At Mercyhurst University, Thairu teaches Principles of Epidemiology, Mental Health and Psychiatric Epidemiology, Epidemiology II, Biostatistics and Environmental Health.

When asked about her general impression about Mercyhurst, Thairu is very positive "I really, really like Mercyhurst, the buildings are beautiful and it's just incredible!" she says.

She is also very impressed with the landscaping around campus. Upon entering the Mercyhurst gates every day she says she feels like she is going to a really nice place and wants to spend much of her time there. Not only does she offer glowing remarks about campus, but also about her students. Thairu notes that the students' punctuality, politeness, preparation and enthusiasm for learning is inspirational. She encourages students to "just be prepared fora career and do the things it takes to be prepared."

Thairu's special areas of interest include dental health in pregnant women and children, global health innovations for mothers and newborns in the developing world, and the opioid epidemic.

In her free time, Thairu enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors and cooking.