Porshia Woods
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Caitlin Burr
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Epidemiology / Public Health
Program:
Authors: Porshia Woods, Caitlin Burr
Session: Session 2: 10:00 am – 10:50 am
Poster: 5
Abstract
This research analyzes the history the Department of Epidemiology faculty at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, specifically Dr. Mara Julius. For 2023-2024, researchers were focused on documenting Dr. Mara Julius, her life, and her work surrounding the Tecumseh Study. To answer this research question, previous researchers sorted through boxes of Dr. Mara Julius’ documents grouped them into categories of publications, project reports, presentations, manuscript drafts, proposals, literature, data, clippings, and literature links. The previous researchers also organized the documents on Google Sheets and included the links for the digital documents. Current researchers sorted through and condensed the historical documents and various newspaper articles. The documents were primarily about Dr. Mara Julius and her research on the Tecumseh Study. Through the process, researchers analyzed each document within dozens of boxes, and read and analyzed each piece of material. Notes were taken on the non-duplicate documents that would need further analysis and would be useful for future products. These notes were documented in a Google Document. The materials contained photographs, biographical sketches, curriculum vitae, articles, and research publications. These results will aid the Department of Epidemiology to begin showcasing the works of Dr. Mara Julius through the creation of a visual display. This research is the part of the early stages of creating a departmental faculty archive. Along with the planned visual display, researchers will eventually to create social media and digital displays in order to engage the Epidemiology community with the physical space and department history.
