Student Leader Sets Sights on Improving Health Outcomes

By Janay Jeans

After studying biology during her undergraduate years, Bianca Jackson, MPH, discovered her interest in the field of public health is improving health outcomes on a larger scale.

“I learned about how we can use data to improve health outcomes, as well as doing a grounded approach of talking to people within the community to understand the social determinants in order to get to the core of how these chronic diseases and morbidities are impacting them,” Jackson said. “I arrived at UTHSC because the professors in this specific program are interested in improving health outcomes by utilizing their various research skills and there is a large focus on helping the community around us.”

Jackson, from Memphis, is pursuing a PhD in health outcomes and policy research with an emphasis in health informatics and information management. She also served as a student representative on the Graduate Student Executive Council, becoming a voice and representative for the Graduate Health Sciences student community.

For her exceptional leadership and support at UTHSC, Jackson was recently honored during the 2023 Black Student Association awards ceremony, an annual event to celebrate the achievements and leadership of student leaders from each college.

“It was awesome to be in a room of people that look like and share the same interest as me. Although we are in different fields, our ultimate goal is to help others and improve the health of others,” Jackson said. “To see the accolades and how dedicated they are to fulfilling that goal, and it was amazing to learn about everyone’s accomplishments, service, and leadership at UTHSC.”

Before joining the college, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in health systems management from the University of Memphis.

Her research experience includes qualitative and quantitative research, clinical research, health technology assessment development, and evidence evaluation, analysis, and synthesis. Her dissertation focuses on the use of machine learning to predict lung cancer risk using electronic health record data. Machine learning is a concept used in various areas, and Jackson finds it interesting to apply it to health care.

“The same way that credit card companies are looking at data and seeing which demographics are most likely to use their card or feature, we are taking that same concept and applying it to patients, and trying to identify who may be likely to develop lung cancer,” she said. “Although the programming and coding are complex, the idea is the same. It’s one of the most interesting things. This is something that is utilized across other industries, but we are able to apply it to health outcomes and see how we can improve the health of others.”

“We see that lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and that it is most prevalent within this southern region, and I am diving into how we can improve the outcomes of those with lung cancer, identify the risks, and prevent the incidence of lung cancer within our community and in our region,” she said. “Using that data, we can understand what is causing this, specifically within individuals in Tennessee, who is at greater risk, how it is impacting patients in Memphis compared to Nashville or Knoxville, and applying the knowledge of health informatics to improving those outcomes of people within my community as well as across the state.”

Jackson said she values the flexibility of the program and the support the faculty members provide for students. “They have always been supportive, by collaborating and being willing to share ideas or work on a project with you as a fellow colleague, and I think that is empowering. You want to know that, as a student, you’re doing the right things and preparing to become your own researcher.”

After graduating, Jackson will pursue consulting in the field of health economics and outcomes research and plans to apply the research and analytical skills she received from the program to improve health outcomes in many therapeutic areas.