Shakira Halloway

Shakira earned her B.A. from Smith College in Psychology and also studied Applied Statistics and Spanish. While at Smith, Shakira led a longitudinal study that examined well-being and stress levels in Smith College students of color. Through the Black Women’s Health Imperative MSK program, she received federal and state advocacy training on contraceptive access and reproductive health disparities. Shakira moderated Hill staffer panel discussions in the offices of Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey as an MSK student as well. Additionally, Shakira served as a Health and Wellness Representative and connected Smith College residents with health and wellness resources on campus. In January 2019, Shakira spent time at the Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital in The Gambia and was introduced to mental health concerns that are prevalent in West Africa. Most recently, Shakira has become increasingly interested in exploring statistics and data science in the field of public health.

As a summer intern with the Global Mental Health Programs, Shakira worked on a project with Dr. Jennifer Mootz that explored intimate partner violence and alcoholism in Uganda. Shakira conducted qualitative research through coding transcribed interviews of experts whose work surrounded IPV and alcoholism prevention and the implementation of programs that address these health concerns. Shakira also analyzed central themes that arose in these interviews using Dedoose software in order to assist in the development of potential interventions for IPV and alcoholism.