Student Spotlight: (Mariam Rasaq) : Investigating Cholera Risk Through Statistical and Spatial Analysis

Working on “Beneath Urban Growth: Landfill-Driven Groundwater Vulnerability and Waterborne Disease Risk in Lagos, Nigeria” through statistical analysis and General Linear Modelling (GLM) of cholera incidence across Alimosho, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and Mushin Local Government Areas in Lagos State was a transformative learning experience for me. My contribution to the project focused on examining the relationship between environmental factors such as poor sanitation, contaminated water sources, population density, landfill proximity, and the occurrence of waterborne diseases in vulnerable communities. Through this process, I strengthened my skills in statistical analysis, data interpretation, critical thinking, and environmental health research, while gaining a deeper understanding of how quantitative analysis can support disease risk assessment and public health planning.
It was especially rewarding to see our research presented at the Pan-APA Annual Conference by my mentor and later recognized with an award. Watching the project evolve from collaborative research into award-winning work reinforced the impact and relevance of multidisciplinary environmental health research, while further motivating my interest in public health and data-driven environmental analysis.