Ph.D. Student Profile

Freida Blostein, MPH, B.S.
- Doctoral Student
Education
MPH Epidemiology Methods and Applications, University of Michigan, 2018
B.S. Evolutionary Anthropology, 2016
B.S. Evolutionary Anthropology, 2016
Research Interests & Projects
My research interests focus on incorporating concepts from evolution and ecology to
understand how human health and disease is shaped by the microorganisms with which
we share our environment. I'm particularly interested in integrating analysis of host,
microbe and environmental factors in order to understand multifactorial diseases such
as dental caries, gingivitis, preterm birth and hospital acquired infections. Through
my participation in two training fellowships, the Genome Science Training Program
and the Integrated Training Program in Microbial Systems, I use methods in mathematical
modeling and population sciences to analyze high-dimensional and compositional data.
Current Research
My current research uses 16S rRNA data to identify taxa and microbial communities in the oral cavity that may influence the development and severity of dental caries. Going forward, we are working to integrate information on nutritional intake and human genetics to examine if specific host genetic and behavioral factors mediate or modify associations between microbiomes and oral outcomes. Additionally, I have conducted work how signals from the vaginal microbiome may act as biomarkers for risk of preterm birth.
Current Research
My current research uses 16S rRNA data to identify taxa and microbial communities in the oral cavity that may influence the development and severity of dental caries. Going forward, we are working to integrate information on nutritional intake and human genetics to examine if specific host genetic and behavioral factors mediate or modify associations between microbiomes and oral outcomes. Additionally, I have conducted work how signals from the vaginal microbiome may act as biomarkers for risk of preterm birth.
Selected Publications
Blostein, F., Levin-Sparenberg, E., Wagner, J., Foxman, B. 2017. Recurrent vulvovaginal
candidiasis. Ann Epidemiol. 27(9):575–582.e3.
Blostein, F., Assari, S., Caldwell, C.H. 2017. Gender and Ethnic Differences in the Association Between Body Image Dissatisfaction and Binge Eating Disorder among Blacks. J Racial Ethn Heal Disparities. 4(4):529–538.
Blostein, F., Assari, S., Caldwell, C.H. 2017. Gender and Ethnic Differences in the Association Between Body Image Dissatisfaction and Binge Eating Disorder among Blacks. J Racial Ethn Heal Disparities. 4(4):529–538.