Ending the vaping epidemic one step at a time. Undergraduate senior Olivia Peterson discusses her experience studying e-cigarette use among college students.

Author: Olivia Peterson | Major: Public Health | Semester: Fall 2023

Hi! My name is Olivia Peterson, and I am currently a senior studying public health with a minor in medical humanities in the College of Education and Health Professions. This semester working under my thesis mentor, Page Dobbs, I studied the effects social influences have on e-cigarette use, specifically when trying to quit. In the future I plan to work in the medical field while doing both hands on care and research.

I focused on researching e-cigarette use, a topic highly relevant in today’s society due to its impact on public health. I chose this topic because of its growing prevalence and the need for a deeper understanding of its effects. My mentor, whom I found through discussions with faculty and online research, has expertise in public health and substance use. Specifically, she studies e-cigarette use, tobacco control policies, and e-cigarette harm perceptions among pregnant women. Her research is vital to ending the growing e-cigarette epidemic that is happening right now.

Throughout my research, I gained valuable insights into the complex factors influencing e-cigarette use, such as social, psychological, and economic elements. Specifically, we found that when one’s emotions run high, they are more likely to use nicotine. Also, when someone is surrounded by an e-cigarette while trying to quit, through a social influence, they are more enticed to begin using again. By keeping e-cigarettes out of sight, and out of mind, as a peer, the chances of someone quitting increases greatly. This experience not only deepened my knowledge in the field but also taught me valuable research and analytical skills.

I faced challenges such preparing to present my research at the American Public Health Association Conference and learning to speak publicly in front of many people. With guidance from my mentor, I learned to overcome these hurdles and felt nothing but prepared when giving my presentation. Also, during the research process I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune. This required multiple trips to Rochester Minnesota to Mayo Clinic for treatments and missing some days of research. Dr. Dobbs supported me through it all and helped me navigate this difficult time. Overall, she made me feel so empowered, and encouraged while managing this autoimmune.

My faculty mentor played a crucial role in providing guidance, feedback, and shaping the direction of my research. Dr. Dobbs was always very helpful and organized within her lab. She always offered up many opportunities to grow our network like attending conferences and jumping onto new research projects. She truly cares for everyone and wants all lab members to succeed with whatever path they may choose.

Collaborating with other faculty members including PhD students and undergraduate students also enhanced the quality of my work. Attending The American Public Health Association Conference allowed me to present my findings, receive feedback, and connect with other researchers in the field. The opportunity to attend this conference was very beneficial and allowed me a platform to exchange ideas and hear from professionals within the field of public health on the latest developments and achievements.

This research experience has ignited my passion for public health, and I plan to pursue further studies or engage in initiatives that promote healthier behaviors in communities. I just applied to a summer internship at the National Cancer Institute in Washington D.C. and hope to further my passion for research there. I will continue to research e-cigarettes next semester and attend more public health conferences. Although my funding has ended, I will not stop here. This opportunity has opened many doors for me, and I am excited to see where the future in research will lead me.