Ph.D. Student Spotlight: Enzo Plaitano - Forging Interdisciplinary Bonds at Dartmouth

Enzo Plaitano, a second-year Ph.D. student at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice (TDI) and a Predoctoral Fellow at the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health (CTBH), goes beyond navigating the academic landscape by actively shaping it through his dynamic experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Enzo's academic journey is marked by an underlying passion for understanding human behavior, with a focus on mental health, substance use, and health risk behaviors.

His undergraduate years studying behavioral neuroscience at Boston University inspired his research odyssey. Working directly with top trauma and injury researchers at Boston Medical Center, Enzo witnessed a disconnect in treating mental health and substance use in patients after a violent injury, propelling him towards a mission to bridge these gaps. He explains that in healthcare, we often just bandage wounds and celebrate this as a success, but we must do better to combat the lasting psychosocial ramifications of trauma. His research at Boston University and Boston Medical Center is what sparked an interest in pursuing a Ph.D.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Enzo landed back in Pittsburgh and worked as a research assistant at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Emergency Medicine. There, he continued to make impactful contributions, focusing on the psychological effects of stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and pain after sustaining an injury. His involvement in research with the groundbreaking PTSD Coach smartphone application, designed by researchers at the National Center for PTSD, and using Fitbit devices to track symptoms was his gateway into the world of using digital health interventions to help fill a gap in healthcare.

Enzo was drawn to Dartmouth by the institution's distinction in using science to develop, evaluate, and implement technology-based tools for mental health and substance use at the Dartmouth CTBH, which is a national NIH-funded P30 “Center of Excellence” housed in Geisel School of Medicine. He praises Dartmouth for its expertise in studying digital health interventions and digital therapeutics, driven by world-class professors and researchers like Lisa Marsch, Ph.D., and Catherine Stanger, Ph.D. With mentorship from Drs. Stanger and Marsch, Enzo has worked on numerous NIH-funded studies including a randomized clinical trial of a digital self-management intervention for young adults with type 1 diabetes and a clinical trial examining the impact of a digital self-regulation therapeutic in adults who smoke and adults with obesity and binge eating. What sets Dartmouth apart in Enzo's narrative is the academic excellence and unique connections between students and faculty. Dartmouth's small program sizes facilitate meaningful relationships with faculty, but Enzo goes beyond this, highlighting the collaborative spirit with Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Science (MS) students.

Enzo's experiences at Dartmouth underscore the advantages of interdisciplinary collaboration. He led a project in a survey methods course, taught by TDI assistant professor, Christine Gunn, Ph.D., where his group designed a cross-sectional study of stress, substance use, and burnout in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) clinicians. During this project, Enzo collaborated with MPH and MS students in his group, demonstrating how the diversity of perspectives enhances educational and research outcomes. Dartmouth's commitment to fostering these connections is evident in faculty pairing Ph.D. students with MPH or MS students. As a result of this final course project, Enzo was accepted to partner with the National Registry of EMTs, the national certifying organization in the United States, to disseminate this large cross-sectional survey to EMS clinicians within their database and help inform his future digital intervention development.

Beyond the borders of academia, Enzo takes advantage of the events hosted by Dartmouth's social community for students and faculty. Faculty-led potlucks, Geisel-sponsored events, and collaborative research projects create an environment where academic relationships extend into rich personal connections. Enzo highlights that living in the heart of the Upper Valley has provided him with endless opportunities to explore new and old hobbies. He advocates that the location is perfect; from skiing at the Dartmouth Skiway or kayaking down the Connecticut River in the heart of Dartmouth’s campus, to hiking the 48 4,000-footers in the nearby New Hampshire White Mountains, he and friends in the graduate programs always find something fun to do.

Enzo's dedication isn't confined to the academic realm; he continues to work as a licensed paramedic in the nearby town of Canaan, New Hampshire, connecting his clinical experiences and research interests in understanding the complex mental health needs of EMS clinicians to develop a tailored and supportive digital health intervention. He was approved by the Dean of the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies to continue working clinically as a paramedic on a casual basis during his time as a Ph.D. student, which underscores Dartmouth's support for diverse career paths. In reflecting on his choice to attend Dartmouth, Enzo expresses unwavering commitment: "When I had the opportunity to choose between schools, Dartmouth was just the clear decision. I can go there and get this really great education, work with literal world leaders in digital interventions and digital therapeutics, and be in the heart of the Upper Valley… I think if I went anywhere else, I wouldn't have all of these opportunities."

Enzo Plaitano's journey at Dartmouth proves more than academic excellence; it paints a picture of a collaborative community that values interdisciplinary connections, fostering an environment where students and faculty from diverse backgrounds enhance each other's academic journeys. For Enzo, Dartmouth is not just an institution; it's endless shared experiences and collaborative exploration. During the remainder of his second academic year at Dartmouth, Enzo plans to submit an F31 Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Grant to the NIH and defend his Ph.D. dissertation proposal, which will include intensive longitudinal data collection using ecological momentary assessment of momentary stress, self-regulation, and substance use to inform future digital intervention development in the vulnerable population of EMS clinicians.

Enzo encourages prospective students considering Dartmouth's Ph.D., MPH, or MS programs to reach out and forge new connections with current students and faculty. He expresses that everyone in the Geisel and TDI programs is always willing to sit down and share why Dartmouth is where they'll find a home both in the classroom and outside in the Upper Valley community.

POSTED 1/4/2024 AT 02:53 PM IN #PHD #studentspotlight #TheDartmouthInstitute