IDEA Exchange Podcast: Dr. Jacob Bleasdale on the Relationships That Shape Public Health Research

The latest episode of ASPPH's IDEA Exchange podcast, "Beyond the Data: The Relationships that Shape Public Health Research", features Dr. Jacob Bleasdale, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Central Florida. In conversation with host Miranda Bosse, Dr. Bleasdale discusses community-engaged research, mentorship, and the relationships that shape careers in public health.

Dr. Bleasdale reflects on his journey from a pre-med student to a researcher focused on HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. After discovering public health through an undergraduate course at the University at Buffalo, he earned his MS and PhD in community health and health behavior and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Florida.

His research uses a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods and community-engaged approaches to examine how social and structural factors, including food insecurity, housing instability, stigma, and healthcare access, influence HIV prevention and care. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of listening to communities and incorporating their perspectives into research and intervention development.

The episode also explores mentorship and its lasting impact on public health careers. Drawing from his experiences as both a mentee and mentor, Dr. Bleasdale encourages students to build diverse mentorship networks and highlights the importance of creating opportunities for emerging researchers to develop confidence and independence.

Listen to the full episode on Buzzsprout, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and ASPPH's YouTube channel. Those interested in sharing their work in a future episode are encouraged to stay connected with ASPPH's IDEA Institute.