MPH 2015

Gohar Abelyan (AUA MPH 2015), Research Associate, Center for Health Services Research and Development, AUA School of Public Health

Gohar Abelyan is a Research Associate at the Zvart Avedisian Onanian Center for Health Services Research and Development (CHSR). She has joined the CHSR in December 2013 and has been mainly involved in projects focusing on smoking cessation, organization of neonatal care services as well as child health and nutrition. Her research interests also include non-communicable diseases. Before joining CHSR, she worked at the child sponsorship department of World Vision Armenia. Gohar also worked as a volunteer at UNICEF and World Vision Armenia (Yerevan ADP), where she was involved in programs focusing on healthcare, child protection and education. In 2015, Gohar earned a Master of Public Health degree (MPH) from the American University of Armenia. During her studies at AUA, she received full merit-based scholarship from AUA and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia and other merit based scholarships. She has published her MPH thesis project entitled “A case-control study of risk factors of chronic venous ulceration in patients with varicose veins” in the Journal of Phlebology, which is the only English language journal entirely devoted to venous disease and is officially endorsed by the American College of Phlebology.

ARMINE ABRAHAMYAN, MS, MPH (2015), Research Associate, Zvart Avedisian Onanian Center for Health Services Research and Development. AUA, Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian School of Public Health, Research Fellow, Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto

Armine Abrahamyan provides research services to Zvart Avedisian Onanian Center for Health Services Research and Development (CHSR) at American University of Armenia (AUA). She has joined the CHSR in March 2014 and has mainly been involved in TB care and tobacco control projects. Her research interest also focuses on pediatric palliative care. For several years she worked at Pediatric Oncology and Chemotherapy Department at the National Oncology Center as a psychotherapist. She is a research fellow at the Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto since May, 2018. She has joined the research group of the project entitled: “When do health inequalities start? Understanding the impact of childhood social adversity on health trajectories from birth to early adolescence” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029567). Her current research interests are related to childhood social adverse experiences and its impact on children’s health.

Armine obtained her Master in Public Health (MPH) degree from the AUA in 2015. During her MPH studies at AUA she devoted her Master’s thesis project that explored pediatric palliative needs of adolescents living with cancer and their parents. Her thesis work was presented and awarded the Prize for the Best Poster in the ASPHER Young Researchers Forum, a pre-conference event at the 8^th European Public Health Conference in Milan, Italy. She also earned a Master of Psychology from the Yerevan State University in 2010.

Stepan Atoyan (AUA MPH 2015), Assistant Director, Center of Medical Genetics and Primary Health Care 

Stepan Atoyan  has been competitively selected for the position of Assistant Director in the Center of Medical Genetics and Primary Health Care. He started his new assignment in December, 2015. Dr. Atoyan’s main responsibility includes assist director, provide training and guidance, work with the director to sustain and grow programs and service, manage administrative functions to ensure smooth and efficient operations of the organization, support the organization’s strategic alliances and partnership, participate in strategic planning, represent the organization to the public, key stakeholders and business partner, plan and implement the annual calendar of activities including special events. Dr. Atoyan earned his Medical Doctor degree from Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) in 2010, where he got his qualification of Doctor of General Practice. Following that, he continued his specialization in Infectious Diseases. In 2013 he started his studies in the Master of Public Health program at the American University of Armenia School of Public Health. Prior to this Dr. Atoyan worked as Project Coordinator in Armenian Red Cross Society and Assistant Professor at the Morphology Department, YSMU, as a physician at Nork Infectious Clinical Hospital. He was also involved in several UNICEF projects at SAMSA (Scientific Association of Medical Students of Armenia) as an assistant of project coordinator. Dr. Stepan Atoyan has participated in local and international workshops, trainings and conferences.

Tatevik Babayan (AUA MPH 2015), Quality assurance auditor, Darmantest laboratories

Tatevik Babayan has been selected for the position of the quality assurance auditor in Darmantest laboratories. She started her new job in July 2016. Prior to this she worked as a Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Department/Public Health specialist in National Tuberculosis Control Center, Ministry of Health and before that in “Satman” LLC as a chemist manager and an assistant to the microbiologist at the “A and D” LLC. She earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in 2015. Her MPH thesis project included a quantitative research focusing on “Neurocognitive Development of Children with Corrected Congenital Heart Defect” that she conducted in collaboration with the Nork Marash Medical Centre. During her studies in the School of Public Health, she was selected to work on CHSR projects. Tatevik completed her Public Health Internship at the “Jinishian Memorial Foundation”, where she mainly focused on monitoring and evaluation activities. Prior to this she did her master’s studies at Yerevan State University, Department of Ecological Chemistry and bachelor’s studies in Biochemistry. During these years she was the Secretary of the Student Scientific Society of Biology of Yerevan State University and she is a member of Young Biologists Association. She took the on-line course “Improving Global Health: Focusing on Quality and Safety” developed by Harvard University faculty (available on edX) and attended the International Young Scientists School organized by the Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.

Zaruhi Grigoryan (AUA MPH 2015), Research Associate, Center for Health Services Research and Development, AUA School of Public Health

Zaruhi Grigoryan is a Research Associate at the Zvart Avedisian Onanian Center for Center for Health Services Research and Development (CHSR). Zaruhi earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in 2015 and immediately after graduation she started working at the CHSR. Zaruhi has been engaged in projects focusing on improving tuberculosis care services, tobacco control and in several ongoing projects of CHSR on preventive ophthalmology and neonatal care services. Her MPH thesis project focused on qualitative exploration of factors that facilitated adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment in Yerevan, Armenia. During her study in the MPH program, Zaruhi received a merit based full scholarship from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia and American University of Armenia. Zaruhi also holds a diploma in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the Yerevan State University (YSU). During her study at the YSU she was involved in chemical laboratory research and has co-authored several works published in the YSU chemical journal; Chemical journal of Armenia, National Academy of Science of Republic of Armenia; and Proceedings journal, State Engineering University of Armenia (Polytechnic). 

Samvel Mkhitaryan (AUA MPH 2015), Research and policy analyisis consultant

Samvel Mkhitaryan works as a psychotherapist, trainer and consultant. Samvel has worked in the Center for Health Services Research and Development (CHSR) at AUA Turpanjian School of Public Health and with such international organizations as United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). In 2011-2014, he worked at the UN Population Fund towards improving reproductive health and rights of adolescents in Armenia. In 2014, during his MPH studies, he has provided consultancy to UNFPA country office in Armenia on increasing the demand for modern contraceptives in Armenia. After his graduation Samvel Mkhitaryan joined the Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation unit at UN Children Fund for a short term assignment to provide consultancy on strengthening focus on social exclusion and vulnerability of children in national data collection and management systems in Armenia. His research interests include variety of topics related to public health in general and mental health in particular. Prior to studying at AUA School of Public Health he has studied psychology at Yerevan State University in Armenia and Gestalt Psychotherapy at Caucasus Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Family Psychotherapy in Georgia. Samvel Mkhitaryan earned his MPH degree at AUA SPH in 2015. He also practices gestalt psychotherapy since 2013.

Meri Mkhitaryan (AUA MPH 2015), Vice Dean of International Students and Lecturer in Human Anatomy Department, Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi 

Meri Mkhitaryan has been appointed as a Vice Dean of International Students  at Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi (YSMU) in 2018. She has also been working as a lecturer in Human Anatomy department of YSMU since 2009. In December 2017 she was appointed as the General Director of “Hovard Asset Management” CJSC, a company under which two investment funds operate. Besides, she worked in the Armenian Eye Care Project (AECP) as an ophthalmologist for two years. Dr. Mkhitaryan earned her Medical Doctor degree from YSMU in 2006. She graduated the medical university with Honor Diploma and got her qualification as a General Practitioner. She completed ophthalmology residency in S.V. Malayan Eye Center (2006-2009). In 2009, Dr. Mkhitaryan was competitively selected to participate in an ophthalmological seminar in Salzburg, Austria under the auspices of the American Austrian Foundation. Her case presentation “Lagophthalmos. Gold weight implantation” was awarded as the best presentation among 42 participant countries. Dr. Mkhitaryan earned the Master of Public Health degree from the American University of ArmeniaTurpanjian School of Public Health in 2015. She was awarded Garo Meghrigian Fellowship. As a Meghrigyan Fellow she contributed to several projects of the Garo Meghrigian Institutefor Preventive Ophthalmology. During her studies in the MPH Program she received a merit-based scholarship from AUA. Her thesis project focused on risk factors of Dry Eye Disease among visual display terminal users at workplaces in Armenia.

Serine Sahakyan (AUA MPH 2015), Research Associate, Center for Health Services Research and Development , AUA School of Public Health

Serine Sahakyan is a Research Associate in the Zvart Avedisian Onanian Center for Health Services Research and Development. Her research experience involves designing and implementing quantitative and qualitative research projects in public health, including the fields of tuberculosis, nursing (Nationwide assessment of nursing education, practice and policy), and dental care in Armenia. She presented her work, including the master thesis project, in multiple international scientific conferences. Serine has been a Teaching Associate for the Master of Public Health Program courses Survey Research Methods, Qualitative Research Methods, Biostatistics, and Social & Behavioral Sciences in Public Health, and for the Basics of Healthy Lifestyle undergraduate course. Serine earned her MPH degree from Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian School of Public Health in 2015. During her MPH studies she earned merit based scholarships, and the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Education and Science awarded her third place in a nationwide competition for “Best Student” among health professionals in 2015. Serine also earned a Nurse Manager diploma and a B.S. in Pharmacology. 

Balu Vignesh Thavidu Rajan (AUA MPH 2015), Program Coordinator, National Tuberculosis Control and Prevention Program, at the Directorate of Health Affairs-Bisha, Ministry of Health in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Dr Balu Vignesh Thavidu Rajan has joined the Department of Preventive Medicine, Directorate of Health Affairs-Bisha, Ministry of Health in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a Public Health Specialist. He has been positioned as a program coordinator of the National Tuberculosis Control and Prevention Program (NTCPP) for Bisha Region. His main job responsibilities are to work with 87 PHCCs, 7 Public Hospitals and other private policlinics on the notification, treatment plan and prevention of Tuberculosis as per the national protocol of NTCPP. Prior to this mission, Dr Rajan has worked as an Assistant Manager in the department of Risk Management at Vidal Health TPA India Private Limited, Bangalore, India and before that worked as an Independent Public Health Specialist at The Doctor’s Office, Chennai, India. Dr Rajan has worked as an intern (as a part of the MPH program) at the State Health Inspectorate, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia. In 2012, Dr Rajan started his studies at the American University of Armenia (AUA) in the College of Business and Economics (CBE) and School of Public Health (SPH) for the MBA/MPH dual degree program. During his academic years at the AUA, Dr Rajan received merit-based International Scholarship. In the same period, Dr Rajan was elected twice as a member of Graduate Student Council. On the commencement day for the class of 2015, Dr Rajan gave a valedictorian speech. Dr Rajan was an active participant in a wide range of events and community work at AUA. Dr Rajan is a certified Lean Six Sigma – Black Belt (KPMG- India, 2016), and also a KPI Professional and Practitioner (The KPI Institute – Riyadh 2017). Dr Rajan earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) as a General Physician from Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU), Yerevan, Republic of Armenia in 2010.