Len Bowman (they/them) | Research Fellow | lbowman@omni.org

Len recently graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health with a concentration in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Over the course of their junior and senior year at Furman, Len had the opportunity to apply their knowledge of research methods while assisting Dr. Shaniece Criss in the Health Sciences department on her qualitative research study aiming to analyze caregiver perceptions of No Hit Zone campaigns in medical clinics.

In studying Public Health at Furman, Len has developed a substantial passion for the achievement of health equity within marginalized groups, with an emphasis on queer and trans folks as well as birthing people of color. Len is a very compassionate individual, having learned and understood this trait to be at the center of any and all public health work. Len hopes to further strengthen their research and evaluation skills over the course of the Fellowship at OMNI with intentions of eventually obtaining their Master’s of Public Health.

In their free time, they enjoy writing, journaling, watching TV, and reading their favorite author: bell hooks.

“Shortly after discovering OMNI, I realized that I was quickly drawn to the way that their core values heavily intertwine with the research and evaluation that takes place within the communities they are working with and serving. This is something I’ve come to value deeply in my public health background. I am most looking forward to gaining a more comprehensive understanding of what research methods (qualitative and quantitative) look like, in practice, when it comes to solving social problems.”

Education

Furman University
B.A., Public Health (Concentration in Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies)

+ Relevant Coursework

  • Health Systems, Services, and Policy Administration
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Fundamentals of Public Health
  • Issues in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
  • Women in Africa and the African Diaspora
  • Men and Masculinity
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Psychology
  • Racial and Ethnic Politics
  • Global Public Health
  • Environmental Health
  • Research and Evaluations in Health Sciences & Statistics
  • Queer Histories

+ Work Experience

Student Office for Accessibility Resources Student Assistant | November 2022 – April 2023
Furman University, Greenville SC

Health Evaluations Intern | June 2022 – August 2022
Institute for the Advancement of Community Health at Furman University

Trone Student Desk Worker | August 2021 – December 2021
Trone Student Center at Furman University

+ Research Experience

Student Researcher | January 2022 – April 2022
Caregiver Perceptions of the (No Hit Zones) NHZ Campagin in Medical Clinics

  • Dr. Shaniece Criss at Furman University
  • The study aims were: (1) Understand caregivers’ perceptions of the No Hit Zone policy, and (2) Explore the impressions of the No Hit Zone poster
  • Research article is awaiting publication

+ Honors & Awards

Joseph A. Vaughn Scholar
The Joseph A. Vaughn Scholarship fund honors the courage of Furman’s first African-American undergraduate student. Established in 1991, this scholarship is given to a Furman student who demonstrates financial need, exemplifies high moral character, and shows academic promise. Priority is given to minority students possessing these qualities.

+ Research Grants

Community-Driven Approaches to Address Factors Contributing to Structural Racism in Public Health
A strategic partnership between three non-profit organizations and two universities has received a grant award of $1.5 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Office of Minority Health (OMH). The collaboration, named the Equity in Public Health Initiative (EPHI), aims to improve the health of Black and Hispanic individuals living in Greenville County by addressing policies and practices that contribute to structural racism and perpetuate health inequities.

Favorite place you’ve traveled?
San Francisco. I recently traveled there for a May-term I was a part of through Furman University, and I had the opportunity to study Queer Histories. It was truly a beautiful experience being able to witness a place that was significant to the existence and liberation of queer and trans folk.

What is your special talent?
I began playing viola when I was in the 5th grade and have been playing ever since!

eBook or paper?
Oh, I will always prefer paper copies. There is something about holding the physical copy in your hand that allows you to connect with the piece that much more, I think.