Joanna Paul

Joanna Paul is a second-year graduate student in the Community Health Sciences track with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. After graduating from Wesleyan University in 2018 (with a BA in psychology and sociology), Joanna completed one year with the Schuler Scholar Program (Americorps College Access non-profit) and two years with the Early Intervention Research Group at Northwestern University. As a Clinical Research Assistant, Joanna worked on five nationally-funded clinical trials to support and enhance the healthy development of children and families with communication disorders. Her time spent conducting child development research (both at Northwestern and at Wesleyan), paired with her internships at an inpatient trauma program and two preschools, has solidified her commitment to the field of early childhood. During her first year in the MPH program, she also participated in the Maternal and Child Health National Network as an Advocacy Board Member as well as the MCHIG Co-leader Joanna spent the summer as an intern on the Illinois Policy Team at Start Early. Joanna has also worked on MCH research with Dr. Alisa Velonis and Dr. Julie Maslowsky.

Joanna is pursuing the MPH/MSW dual degree program here at UIC. She is interested in pursuing direct clinical work with children and families but also has a deep passion for early childhood policy/advocacy and improving outcomes for children on a community-wide level. Through the prevention and intervention of adverse childhood experiences, she wants to help ensure that children are raised in safe, stable, nurturing environments and that they live out the healthy lives they deserve.

Fun Fact- Joanna loves going on long walks! She once walked the entire perimeter of Manhattan (~34 miles) in freezing cold rain one day in May and it was easily one of the hardest things she's ever done.