Student Spotlight: Jirka Taylor

Jirka Taylor, MPhil, MA is a PhD candidate at the Department of Health Policy and Management. He is interested in studying drug policy and intersections between policy systems would like to help policymakers and practitioners help navigate those intersections. 

Tell us about your current role.

JT: I am currently a 4th year PhD candidate at the Department of Health Policy and Management. I am interested in drug policy and intersections between policy systems, such as public health and public safety. I believe a lot of policy opportunities as well as challenges lie where multiple policy systems meet and would like to help policymakers and practitioners help navigate those intersections. 

What research topic have you had the opportunity to work on that was the most interesting to you?  

JT: As a Research Assistant, I have enjoyed working on a number of interesting topics. To name a few, I have worked on projects about child welfare system involvement among parents with a substance use disorder and about various diversion or mandated treatment programs for people who use drugs and are involved with the criminal legal system. 

What research topic do you hope to work on in the near future?  

JT: The near future will be filled with dissertation work. My dissertation topic is linkage to care after nonfatal opioid overdoses and my aim is to investigate factors determining service use at key multiple key post-overdose points of care – after the initial EMS encounter, after discharge from the emergency department, and in the community as part of an alternative model of care offered by crisis stabilization centers. 

What are your future career goals?

JT: I am going on the job market this year. I would love to find a research position where I could work on projects related to my research interests and inform decisions made by policymakers and practitioners. 

Why were you drawn to a career in Public Health?  

JT: Before coming to JHU, I was an analyst at the RAND Corporation. While there, I developed a strong interest in the intersection of health, social, and criminal justice policy and how interventions in these domains can improve health, well-being, and other outcomes for various populations, including disadvantaged and marginalized individuals. 

What has been your favorite course at JHU and why?  

JT: I have taken many great classes while at JHU. One of my motivations for applying for the PhD program was to get quantitative training so I appreciate all the statistical and econometric classes I have taken, starting from the first year’s biostatistics series. My fourth-term project for that series ended up being the kernel of my dissertation! 

What is your favorite memory from your time at Johns Hopkins?  

JT: The collegiality in our program and among JHU faculty, which has made for a wonderful learning and working environment. 

What superpower would you like to have for the next year and why?  

JT: I would love to be able to slow down time or get some extra hours in the day. 

What do you like to do in your free time?  

JT: I enjoy travelling and making big weekend dinners with my wife.