Rana Jaber

What year did you start working at NIU?
2021

Where is your hometown? and where do you live now? 
My hometown is Amman, Jordan, and I now live in DeKalb, Illinois.

Where did you attend college and what degree(s) have you earned?
I have a bachelor's in nursing from the University of Jordan, a Master of Science in public health/epidemiology from the Jordan University of Science and Technology, and a Ph.D. in public health/epidemiology from Florida International University, as well as a postdoctoral fellowship at the American Heart Association.

In which department(s) do you teach?
Public Health, School of Health Studies

What do you like about working at NIU?
I like the great faculty and administrative workers, as well as the school spirit and all the resources for families, students and faculty.

What advice would you give to students currently attending NIU?
NIU is student-centered. It is a great institution that can support your growth and where you can make a difference. Difficult times are the real times that can make us who we are today and who we will be in the future. Always be strong and change those challenges into opportunities to be stronger. NIU is a diverse institution; take every moment to learn more about other cultures, traditions and practices, and respect everyone.

Tell us about a research or engaged learning project you have led.
My research is mainly on tobacco use, particularly recent tobacco use methods such as e-cigarettes and waterpipes. These new methods are perceived by the public as less harmful than cigarettes, probably because they use flavored tobacco. I was the first to show that waterpipe use among adolescents can be a gateway to cigarette smoking. In addition, I examined e-cigarette use and its associated factors among adults and adolescents from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

What do you enjoy most about mentoring students?
Creating a new generation of persevering and dedicated researchers and public health changing agents. I enjoy interacting with them, seeing them overcoming their challenges and succeeding.

What do you hope students take away from your class?
I teach biostatistics, a topic that can be scary to students. I want them to know that the course isn't that difficult. It's an applied course, not really a math class. The calculations are done by software. Most of the phenomena in life, not only in health sciences, are subject to probability. That's why we need probability science. To answer any research question, biostatistics is certainly needed. In my course, I make it clear that the base for the research design and statistical approach is the way we formulate our research question. So, what students need to learn from this course is how to select a statistical approach based on their data and research question. Then, they just need to provide the statistical program with the correct input, and it will do the work for them. However, they need to know how to interpret the output, too.

What is your favorite memory of NIU? 
My first day looking for the university and being lost in the corn fields. I thought it was a scam, especially since I did not have an on-campus interview for the job.

What’s one thing about NIU that’s surprised you?
The diversity, friendly relationships and everyone’s willingness to help others.

What fulfills you personally and professionally?
Family, respect, appreciation and honesty.

Which of NIU’s core values align with your own?
All of them.

Have you contributed to any NIU Foundation fundraising campaigns such as the Day of Giving or Huskies United? If yes, why did you decided to support NIU?
Yes, sometimes, because I feel I belong to NIU.

Do you keep in touch with any NIU alums? If so, are there any doing something interesting and exciting that we should know about? Please share some information with us and we’ll consider them for a future feature. 
Yes, of course, most of my students keep in touch with me. Michelle Foster was my student and GA, and she is wonderful. She is still working with me as a co-author, and she is always there if we need anything.

Who has influenced your professional path?
My father, mother, kids, colleagues and graduate school professors have influenced my professional path.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you currently doing it? If not, what changed your path? 
I wanted to be a physician. I got married early at 17 years old, so nursing was the closest option. I decided to study nursing and continue until I became a doctor. After I graduated from nursing school with three kids, it was difficult for me to study medicine. I worked with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Jordan and changed my path to public health. Then, I completed my M.S. and Ph.D. in public health and epidemiology.

Are you participating in or have you participated in any NIU shared governance or professional development groups? If so, how has your participation enhanced your experience as an employee?
While I haven’t officially served on a shared governance group yet, I’ve actively engaged in professional development opportunities at NIU and have collaborated with several cross-departmental meetings. These experiences have expanded my network, deepened my understanding of university operations and helped me grow personally and professionally.

Are you a member of or hold a position within a professional or community organization? If so, what organization? What is the purpose of that organization and how does being part of this organization benefit you in your role at NIU?
I’m involved with the American Heart Association, the American Public Health Association and the Illinois Public Health Association.

What community organizations are you involved in?
I’m trying to connect with some health organizations related to adolescents.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I enjoy gardening, swimming, walking and cooking.