Rika Matsumaru
Columbia University
Mailman School of Public Health
Master of Public Health in Epidemiology
April 7, 2024

Sasakawa Nursing Fellow 2023 Progress Report1. Purpose and Overview
This report summarizes my academic and personal progress as a Sasakawa Nursing Fellow
at Columbia University from September 2023 to March 2024. My background as a publichealth nurse in Tokyo has driven my pursuit of advanced data-analysis skills to inform
evidence-based policy development. I am currently a first-year Master’s student majoringin Epidemiology with a Comparative Effectiveness Outcome Research certificate.
2. Academic Aspect
My first year at Columbia University has been pivotal in honing my skills as a public healthprofessional. In the first semester, my cohort of approximately 450 students followed acomprehensive curriculum covering 7 broad areas of study and 16 subjects. One of thestandout classes for me was "Research Methods and Applications", where I gained essential
research skills encompassing quantitative and qualitative measurement, data collection
methods, epidemiologic study design, and statistical inference. Despite initial concerns
about my quantitative research knowledge, the well-structured nature of the course, withvideo and live lectures, lab activities, and homework, enabled me to grasp the fundamentalseffectively.
I encountered challenges in writing essays and participating in discussions. Weekly essay
assignments on topics such as the impact of global warming on public health and a policy
memo addressing approaches for preventing gun violence required extensive research andwriting time. Additionally, certain topics, including Ethics and the History of the UnitedStates in the Foundations of Public Health course, posed challenges for participating indiscussions due to my limited background knowledge. To overcome these barriers, I sought
assistance from Teaching Assistants (TAs) and the student office. Confiding in my TA about
my confusion allowed them to provide valuable guidance on discussion and essay writing
and clarify lecture contents. Additionally, the student office offered a writing support
program, which significantly improved my grammar skills in essay assignments. These
supports were instrumental in enhancing my writing and discussion participation skills.
Reflecting on my first semester, I've learned the importance of seeking assistance. The
accessibility of support systems at Columbia encourages proactive engagement,
reinforcing my commitment to seek help when needed in the upcoming semester.
During the second semester, I delved into more detailed subjects aligned with my interests.
I decided to pursue the "Comparative Effectiveness Outcome Research" certificate, which
focuses on decision analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis in healthcare and public healthdomains. Learning about decision analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis provided mewith new perspectives on comparing benefits and harms to make decisions aimed atimproving healthcare with limited resources.

Furthermore, I expanded my knowledge beyond my main area of interest outside ofcoursework. I took on the role of vice president in a student club, focusing on increasingawareness of food policy and food justice issues. I will be planning events and establishingconnections with local businesses to serve the local community. Additionally, I attended
various events outside of the Mailman School, including those at the Business School andthe School of International and Public Affairs. These experiences taught me how tocollaborate with other sectors to promote public health. One of the benefits of attending alarge institution like Columbia, with multiple areas of study, is the opportunity to learn
about public health not just through coursework, but also through such events and crosssectional networking.
My experience at Columbia has been enriching, particularly in expanding myunderstanding of public health. While the workload was tough in the first semester, I
learned to manage my time better in the second semester and enjoyed studying publichealth from different angles. In the upcoming semester, I plan to expand my knowledge by
exploring new subjects that were not covered in my bachelor's program. I also intend toseek more opportunities to develop my leadership skills in the field of public health.
3. Living Aspect
Living in NYC has exposed me to the city's ongoing struggle with pronounced racial andsocio-economic segregation, despite its liberal political stance. Communities of color often
face financial hardships, higher crime rates, limited educational opportunities, andinadequate access to healthcare. This disparity is evident not just from data but also frommy observations in these neighborhoods. For example, I've noticed that communities ofcolor have far fewer grocery stores offering healthy food options and pharmacies with avariety of medical supplies. Living in this diverse city has made me reflect deeply on thehistory and political dynamics in the United States underlying such disparities.
The Mailman School of Public Health is situated in Washington Heights, the northern partof Manhattan. The racial makeup of the neighborhood is 64.1% Hispanic, 21.7% White,
7.5% Black, and 3.5% Asian residents (City of New York, 2020). Washington Heights is
known as "Little Dominican Republic," reflecting one of the largest Dominicancommunities globally. The neighborhood is adorned with Dominican restaurants and shops,providing a rich Hispanic cultural atmosphere.
NYC's status as a global hub for many large companies has provided numerous career
opportunities in public health. Columbia has facilitated access to these opportunities
through career fairs and networking events with private companies, non-profits, andgovernment agencies. Attending these events, such as those hosted by pharmaceutical andconsulting companies, has inspired me to seek a career in an innovative and challengingenvironment.
My time in NYC has not only exposed me to rich career opportunities but has also provided
me with invaluable insights into disparities, making it one of the best places in the world
to learn about public health from a holistic perspective.
4. Acknowledgment
I am deeply grateful to the Sasakawa Health Foundation for the generous scholarship thathas provided me with this invaluable experience at Columbia University. Thanks to theircontinuous support, I have been able to dedicate myself fully to my studies. In myinteractions with many international students at Columbia, I have not encountered such agenerous and advanced scholarship elsewhere. I am committed to working even harder tocontribute to Japanese society by integrating my studies and nursing skills after graduation.
5. Reference
New York City Department of City Planning. (n.d.). Population FactFinder.
https://popfactfinder.planning.nyc.gov/explorer/selection/4ba28aabe2d983a4b7e9fa5c165
c2ce00b7a5c36?source=decennial-change