Staff Feature: Himani Byregowda

Himani Byregowda is a Senior Research Data Analyst at the Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH), Department of Mental Health, and a Teaching Fellow with the BSPH Center for Injury Research and Policy. 

How did you get into the field of injury prevention? 
It was through my work on the Maryland Overdose Data Collaborative, where we evaluated overdose prevention programs in Maryland. During my previous training as a Dental Surgeon in India, I came across patients who had oral carcinomas attributable to smoking and drug use. Witnessing their pain and suffering was devastating and prompted me to embark on a career dedicated to substance use prevention.

Tell us about an active project that you are currently working on. 
I’m working with Drs. Ramin Mojtabai and Rosa Crum on examining the effect of psychiatric comorbidity on substance use disorder (SUD) outcomes. Often individuals with SUDs also experience psychological distress or meet the criteria for common mood and anxiety disorders. We are using data from 20 NIDA-sponsored randomized control trials to enhance our understanding of the relationship between psychiatric comorbidity and SUD treatment outcomes. I’m hoping our findings will help improve the care of patients with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders and optimize the effectiveness of SUD treatments.

What is your favorite part about being affiliated with the Injury Center?
I currently serve as the Teaching Fellow for the Graduate Seminar in Injury Research and Policy, a weekly series held every Monday at noon. I enjoy learning about different injury-related topics each week and connecting with researchers and students from across the globe!

If you could have lunch with any celebrity, who would you meet and what would you talk about?
I think it would be Ons Jabeur, she’s a Tunisian professional tennis player who is ranked among the top ten women players on tour. I find her story of building an all-Tunisian team and representing the African continent incredibly inspiring. I would love the opportunity to discuss her journey, delve into her mental strength, and perhaps ask if I could be her player box guest at Wimbledon!

If you were being introduced on stage, what song would you want played that best represents you, and why that song?
“Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara. I think the song is positive and empowering!