校友功能：Kymberle Sterling，DRPH，MPH，公共卫生学院的第一位黑人妇女授予任期

祝贺Kymberle L. Sterling，DrPH, MPH,who is the first Black woman awarded tenure at UTHealth School of Public Health. Sterling is an associate professor of health promotion and behavioral sciences (HBPS) at the UTHealth School of Public Health, Dallas Campus. She earned a doctorate in Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences from the UTHealth School of Public Health in 2005.

Currently, Sterling is leading the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (IDEA) committee at the UTHealth School of Public Health. She is a tobacco control behavioral scientist specializing in youth and young adult cigar product use, tobacco-related health disparities, and tobacco regulatory sciences. Additionally, she teaches several HPBS courses and mentors students. Sterling can be reached atKymberle.L.Sterling@uth.tmc.edu, or you can connect with her onLinkedIn.

We asked Sterling questions to learn more about her work, success, and overcoming adversity.

As someone who has made history at UTHealth School of Public Health, what is one piece of advice you have for minority students or early career professionals?

据说法官Ketanji杰克逊布朗:persevere. Throughout your career, you will experience high moments and challenges. Although they are often uncomfortable, you’ll find that the most personal and professional growth comes through challenges. When they occur, persevere and learn from the circumstances.

作为学术界的黑人妇女，您面临着哪些挑战，您如何克服她们？

我在冒名顶替综合症中苦苦挣扎，并害怕在职业生涯中取得成功。这两者都可以以独特的方式使人衰弱。为了解决冒名顶替综合症，我必须成为自己的啦啦队长，提醒自己，我的教育，经验和成就与我的任何同龄人一样重要和值得。虽然这似乎是一个不寻常的挑战，但对成功的恐惧可能是一场真正的斗争。对我来说，这种恐惧与我的冒名顶替综合症挑战密切相关。当我感到这种恐惧出现时，我背诵马太福音5：15-16。在冥想这本经文之后，我提醒我，我有责任成为我自己最好的版本，以便我周围的其他人可以相应地发光。

What is the most rewarding aspect of working in your field? Most challenging?

我工作中最有意义的方面是指导！没有别人指导我的指导我，没有什么比指导学生或早期职业专业人员更令人满意的了。最具挑战性的是有足够的时间完成任务！有时候，一天中没有足够的时间来完成我想实现的一切。

Can you tell us why you decided to continue your career with UTHealth following your academic journey?

老实说，返回Uthealth和Texas的决定是个人的。我的大家庭住在路易斯安那州，我想住在他们附近。接受Uthealth的位置和生活在达拉斯地区，使我更频繁地看到我的家人

What do you think influenced your career most? (Practical experience, a specific course, mentorship, etc.)

许多“ Sheroes影响了我在公共卫生研究方面的职业”。beplay苹果手机能用吗我要感谢那些在我整个职业生涯中指导我的女性的债务。

请分享任何最近的出版物/功能/媒体曝光/聚光灯/奖项/等：

I was a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s ad hoc committee on Health Effects and Patterns of Use of Premium Cigars. Our report, “Premium Cigars: Patterns of Use, Marketing and Health Effects,” was released in March 2022. A copy of the report can be downloaded here:https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/health-effects-and-patterns-of-use-of-premium-cigars