Alumni Spotlight: Paul J. Fleming

Name: Paul J. Fleming

Current title: Assistant Professor of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health

Years affiliated with CPC: 2012-2015

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently conducting research in Southeast Michigan on how immigration policies and an anti-immigrant climate impact the health of immigrant families.

What was your background before coming to CPC?

I was a Community Health Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua and then pursued an Masters of Public Health at Emory University and my PhD in Health Behavior at UNC’s Gillings School of Public Health. I was admitted into the CPC training program in the 2nd year of my PhD program.

What motivates you to do what you do?

I think that research on root causes of poor health and social inequality can help us better identify solutions to improve our society.

What have been some of your best experiences at CPC?

As I’ve moved on in my career, I think back to the CPC Friday seminars and really value that interdisciplinary intellectual community. Each week brought something new to learn (e.g. a methodology, a new topic, etc.) and the opportunity to interact with leading faculty and other UNC graduate students from other fields.

Do you have any advice for current or future trainees at CPC?

Be proactive about building a great mentoring team that can help guide you, be cheerleaders, and connect you to resources. This should include people who are doing things professionally or personally that you want to do with your career and life. It should include people at all levels (e.g. fellow students, post-docs, junior & senior faculty, and people outside academia).