By the time Evelyn Stevens (MPH ’14) finished her bachelor’s degree in health psychology, she had three goals: stay in the field of genetics, balance her existing knowledge with skills in biostatistics, and stay in the Philadelphia area. She found the perfect fit—and then some—with a master of public health at Temple.

“I had a little knowledge before entering the MPH program, but not enough that I felt comfortable with the statistical portions of [research],” she says. “My degree also helped me to better understand theory and specific theoretical models. [I learned how to] design studies and understand the implications of my findings.” Stevens finds she has a unique skill set as a clinical research coordinator (II) in behavioral oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “I am able to handle both the regulatory and project coordination aspects of my job, but I also really understand the data,” she says.

She supports both the principal investigator and statistician on various research projects by conducting preliminary analyses of data. Stevens coordinates four research projects which focus on the psychosocial needs of those affected by a health disparity, and on patients’ decision-making processes about clinical trial participation. One such project examines levels of knowledge about sickle cell disease, prenatal genetic testing, and attitudes toward clinical trials among the racial and ethnic minorities that are most affected by the disease.

“So that when a potential cure is rolled out, it might be more acceptable and feasible to the community,” she says. The MPH program’s interdisciplinary nature also prepared her for the real world. “I compare the MPH degree to a sandbox,” she says. “Public health is so pluralized that if I wanted to do research or policy, I can do that under the MPH umbrella. Having an MPH has enabled me to work among people who have degrees in psychology, clinical counseling and social work; I work with PhDs and medical doctors.”

Stevens says one of the most important takeaways of the MPH program was learning to address big ideas by focusing on small details.

Scaling back her thesis project taught her the detail orientation that she now uses in her work. “That was a big eye-opening experience for me because I do tend to think big,” she says. “The big ideas might be attainable, but sometimes a smaller goal can yield a more solid outcome.”