Faculty Spotlight
Once a month we feature a member of our faculty.
KELLY HIRKO
Kelly and Clancy out for a walk
Current Hometown
Traverse City, Michigan
Born and raised
Traverse City, Michigan
Favorite Movie and/or musical group/singer
I love watching movies and going to concerts but it’s hard to pick a favorite. My favorite movie that I’ve seen this past year is “The Holdovers.” As for music, I saw Brandi Carlile in concert this summer at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and it was amazing!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy taking walks in the woods with my dog, reading books, baking (especially muffins), and spending time with my family.
What is the most interesting/enjoyable place you have visited.
The most interesting place that I’ve visited is Cairo, Egypt. I spent time there as a PhD student conducting some of my doctoral research using the Egyptian Cancer Registry data. The people were friendly, and the pyramids were unbelievably impressive, but I’ve never seen so much traffic in my life. One of the most enjoyable places I’ve visited is Paris. I love walking around exploring the neighborhoods and of course enjoying all the delicious food.
What is the most helpful advice you have received.
The most helpful advice I received to prepare for my career was to be persistent and get comfortable with rejection. Failure is common in academia (e.g., rejected manuscripts, unfunded grants), even among established researchers in our field. Persistence often pays off in the long run, but you must also learn when to move on from an idea or adapt research questions to address evolving public health priorities.
How did you become interested in your field? Was there a specific moment when you knew it was the right fit for you
I discovered the field of Epidemiology while working in a hospital laboratory after college graduation. I always loved the sciences but did not have the opportunity to take Public Health courses during my undergraduate coursework. While working as a Research Assistant in a pathology laboratory focused on prostate cancer research, I read a journal article describing increased prostate cancer risk among Chinese and Japanese men after immigrating to the U.S., compared to their native populations. This sparked my research interest in understanding modifiable risk factors for cancer prevention and led me to pursue my MPH degree in Epidemiology.
Describe your current research or area of interest
My research interests focus on addressing cancer disparities. I’m interested in using implementation science approaches to help translate research findings into practice, particularly in resource-limited settings. As a community-based researcher, I’m also using community-engaged approaches to ensure that my research addresses the needs and priorities of my rural community.
What advice would you give to a student?
My advice is to focus on what you’re passionate about and truly interested in – not just what your mentor(s) are doing. I suggest thinking about your long-term career goals and making a plan for how to get there. I also think it’s extremely important to emphasize work: life balance and to prioritize time for yourself and your wellbeing.