George Yacu Email & Phone Number

Notre Dame, Indiana, United States

The Children’s Environmental Health Initiative is a public health research, education, and outreach program.I initiated a study examining the effect of residence location on adolescent HPV vaccination rates. I aim to examine how socioeconomic characteristics mediate this relationship, in order to identify local patterns in vaccination, develop a place-based theory of vaccination, and inform how health professionals think about vaccination.In addition to the HPV vaccination study, I contribute to our team by performing literature reviews and analyzing large datasets using advanced quantitative methods, such as Bayesian statistics. Furthermore, I assist with various writing projects.

Notre Dame, Indiana, United States

Resident Assistants (RAs) are seniors who serve students in their residence halls as ministers, educators, and professionals under the direction of their rectors.In Siegfried Hall, I support this mission by creating an environment where all students feel belonging and flourishing. I lead a section of 40 students. Here I do the majority of my work building relationships, mentoring, providing direct assistance, and organizing events that build comradery and fellowship among students.

Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States

North Arlington Pediatrics is a private medical practice dedicated to the health and well-being of all children in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.I documented relevant information in the patient health record for 25-30 well-child checks and sick visits every day. From this experience, I worked collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and administrative staff and obtained 900+ hours of direct clinical observation.In Summer 2022, I led a quality improvement project to update templates used for 31 age-specific well-child checks. Specific accomplishments included:* Incorporating new evidence-based recommendations from professional organizations to ensure highest standards of care.* Standardizing templates across nine providers to promote consistency when consulting notes from previous encounters.* Enabling practice to release real-time documentation for all patient encounters by the end of 2022.

Notre Dame, Indiana, United States

Biostatistics is an upper-level course covering fundamental statistics and applications to biological problems. As a teaching assistant for the laboratory component of the course, I supervised a cohort of 10-20 students during the semester. I answered their questions, assessed their understanding of the material, and provided both formal and informal feedback over their work. To gain practical experience in teaching, I delivered two 50-minute class lectures prepared in collaboration with the graduate student and professor.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

The Ntziachristos Lab studies molecular mechanisms of leukemia initiation, progression, and treatment resistance in order to discover novel drug targets.I performed cell cultures, computational experiments, and biochemical and cellular assays to support various projects within the lab. Additionally, I contributed to editing and revising two manuscripts. I participated in several departmental journal clubs and seminars, including Pediatric Firm Rounds at Lurie Children’s Hospital.