Hello! My name Olivia Comer, and I am incredibly excited to be joining the IACH team as a research assistant! I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May of 2022 as a Sociology major and Chemistry minor. Throughout my time in Chapel Hill, I worked as a research assistant at the UNC School of Medicine’s Mother and Infant Research Studies Lab. The lab investigated the effects of mothers’ hormones and substance use on baby brain development as well as mother-child relationships and attachment types. Additionally, the lab partnered with many community-based organizations rooted in de-stigmatizing addiction and conversations about mental health and women’s health.

Following my graduation from UNC, I was very fortunate to continue my education through Furman’s Master of Science in Community Engaged Medicine. This master’s program combined my love for science and medicine with population health through the coursework and my fieldwork experience at the Greenville Free Medical Clinic. I am thrilled to be remaining at Furman for this upcoming year to further my research experience and work with organizations across Greenville. Following this position, I will be pursing my medical education at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.

Education

• M.S., Furman University
• B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill