Dr. Erin Orlins | Mental Health | Best Researcher Award 

Postdoctoral Scientist |  Nationwide Children’s Hospital | United States

Research for Best Researcher Award: Erin R. Orlins, PhD, MPH, CHES

Strengths for the Award

Erin R. Orlins is a standout candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award due to several notable strengths:

1. Innovative Research Focus: Dr. Orlins’ research on adolescent suicide prevention is both timely and critical. Her dissertation on trends and perceptions related to adolescent suicide and the effectiveness of school-based prevention programs reflects her commitment to addressing significant public health issues.
2. Diverse Experience: Her extensive research experience spans across various roles, including post-doctoral scientist, consultant, and research assistant. This breadth of experience highlights her versatility and deep understanding of public health and suicide prevention.
3. Impactful Publications: Dr. Orlins has a robust publication record, including articles in reputable journals such as the Journal of American College Health and Aging & Mental Health. Her work on suicide and suicidality among different populations demonstrates her ability to contribute valuable insights to the field.
4. Leadership and Community Involvement: Beyond her research, Dr. Orlins has shown leadership through her roles with LifeAct, the Society for Public Health Education, and other organizations. Her involvement in mentoring and community service further underscores her dedication to public health.
5. Awards and Recognition: Dr. Orlins has received several prestigious awards, including the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) New Investigator Research Award and recognition in Kent State University’s Three Minute Thesis Competition. These accolades reflect her research excellence and scholarly impact.

Areas for Improvement

While Dr. Orlins exhibits a remarkable profile, there are areas that could further enhance her research and professional trajectory:

1. Broader Research Scope: Expanding her research beyond suicide prevention to include other pressing public health issues could provide a more holistic view of the factors affecting mental health and well-being.
2. Increased Collaboration: Although Dr. Orlins has collaborated with various professionals, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations with experts from different fields, such as technology and policy-making, could lead to innovative approaches in her research.
3. Public Engagement: Strengthening efforts to communicate research findings to the general public and policy-makers could enhance the impact of her work. Developing more outreach programs or public health campaigns based on her research could bridge the gap between academia and community practice.
4. Funding Opportunities: Securing additional funding from diverse sources could support further research initiatives and the expansion of existing projects. Exploring grants from new agencies or private sectors may provide additional resources for her work.
5. Research Methodology Enhancement: Incorporating advanced methodologies or innovative tools, such as big data analytics or machine learning, could offer new insights and improve the precision of her research outcomes.

Conclusion

Dr. Erin R. Orlins exemplifies the qualities of a leading researcher in public health. Her focused research on suicide prevention, coupled with her extensive experience, impactful publications, and leadership roles, make her a deserving candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. By addressing the identified areas for improvement, Dr. Orlins can continue to advance her contributions to public health, enhance her research impact, and drive meaningful change in mental health prevention and intervention.

Biography

Dr. Erin R. Orlins is a Post-Doctoral Scientist at the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. With a PhD in Public Health specializing in Prevention Science, Erin focuses on adolescent suicide prevention and mental health research. Her work integrates her extensive background in public health education and neuroscience to address critical issues in youth mental health.

Profile

SCOPUS

🎓 Education

• PhD in Public Health – Prevention Science
  Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
  May 2023
  Dissertation: “Exploring adolescent suicide in Ohio: Trends, perceptions, and the effectiveness of a school-based suicide prevention program” 🎓
• Master of Public Health – Health Promotion and Education
  Wright State University, Kettering, Ohio
  May 2015
  Thesis: “The accuracy and feasibility of production records to measure food selection in school cafeterias” 📚
• Bachelor of Science – Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
  University of Mount Union, Alliance, Ohio
  Summa Cum Laude, May 2013 🏅

💼 Experience

• Post-Doctoral Scientist
  Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
  Columbus, Ohio, October 2023 – Present 🧪
• Consultant
  LifeAct, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
  April 2020 – Present 🩺
• Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant
  Kent State University, College of Public Health
  August 2018 – May 2023 🎓
• Program Manager
  OhioHealth Research and Innovation Institute, Columbus, Ohio
  March 2016 – June 2018 📈
• Graduate Research Assistant
  Wright State University, Master of Public Health Program
  July 2014 – May 2015 🔬
• Undergraduate Research Assistant
  University of Mount Union, Psychology Department
  August 2011 – May 2013 🧠

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Orlins’ research interests center around adolescent mental health, particularly suicide prevention. Her work examines the effectiveness of school-based prevention programs and the impact of interpersonal conflicts and technology on youth suicidality. She aims to develop and implement evidence-based strategies to mitigate suicide risks among adolescents. 🧠💔

🏆 Awards

• National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) New Investigator Research Award
  March 2024 🏆
• Kent State University’s Three Minute Thesis Competition, Third Place
  October 2020 🥉
• Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health, Gamma Alpha Chapter
  May 2015 🎖️
• Ohio Society for Public Health Education, Karen H. Evans Scholarship Recipient
  September 2014 💰
• Featured Alumni for the University of Mount Union
  September 2014 🌟
• Featured Student for the University of Mount Union
  January 2012 🎓
• National Cabinet of Women’s Scholarship Recipient
  May 2012 🏅
• American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award
  November 2010 🏐
• Psi Chi Honorary
  October 2010 🎓
• Alpha Lambda Delta Honorary
  August 2009 🌟

📚 Publications

• Orlins, E.R., Slack, A.J., Essel, B., & Chatfield, S.L. (2024). Suicide and suicidality among collegiate student-athletes: A scoping review. Journal of American College Health. Advance online publication. Read More 🏅
• DeBois, K.A., Chatfield, S.L., Evans, S.D., Essel, B., Bista, S., & Orlins, E.R. (2024). Patterns of suicide intent disclosures among older adult decedents, 2016-2018: A qualitative analysis. Aging & Mental Health. Advance online publication. Read More 📊
• Orlins, E., DeBois, K., & Chatfield, S.L. (2021). Characteristics of interpersonal conflicts precipitating youth suicide: Analysis of data from the 2017 National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 26(3), 201-210. Read More 🔍
• Chatfield, S.L., DeBois, K.A., & Orlins, E. (2021). Reflections on trauma: A phenomenological qualitative secondary analysis of interviews about adolescent experiences during the May 4, 1970 Kent State Vietnam War protest student shootings. The Qualitative Report, 26(11), 3563-3574. Read More 📝
• Orlowski, M., Lee, M., Spears, W., Narayan, R., Pobocik, R., Kennel, J., Krafka, E., & Patton, S. (2017). Patterns in vegetable consumption: Implications for tailored school meal interventions. Journal of School Health, 87(5), 346-352. Read More 🥦