For Meredith Spivak, a doctoral student in the School of Public and Population Health, research is not just about data. It is about protecting the health of women in communities often overlooked.
Her work focuses on pesticide exposure among women, particularly farmworkers and those who are pregnant. These groups face unique risks, yet much of the existing research has historically centered on men.
“My research is focused on pesticide exposures in women, particularly in vulnerable populations like women farmworkers and during sensitive time periods like pregnancy,” Spivak said.
One of the key questions driving her work is why women farmworkers experience higher rates of pesticide poisoning than men. Previous studies show women are twice as likely to be affected, but the reasons remain unclear. Spivak’s research aims to identify both biological and social factors contributing to that disparity.
That work has strong implications for Idaho, where agriculture plays a central role in the state’s economy and daily life.
“A large part of the land in Idaho is used for farming and crop production,” Spivak said. “This means that we have both a large number of farmworkers and people living in agricultural communities where pesticide exposure could occur.”
In addition to examining disparities, Spivak is working to improve how pesticide exposure is measured during pregnancy. Current research often relies on a single urine sample to estimate exposure, which may not accurately reflect conditions over time.
Her research explores how many samples are needed throughout pregnancy to provide a more accurate picture. Improving these methods could strengthen future studies on how pesticide exposure affects infant and child health.
Spivak’s path into public health began early. As a high school student, she volunteered with a local health department on a teen pregnancy prevention program. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in public health and a master’s degree in epidemiology, focusing on how environmental exposures and social factors interact during pregnancy and impact infant outcomes. Her academic journey brought her to Boise State, where mentorship has played a defining role in her development as a researcher.
She credits her work with Cynnie Curl as especially transformative. A national leader in environmental health and exposure science, Curl has guided Spivak through every stage of the research process, from grant writing to publishing and presenting findings.
“Working with Dr. Curl has been so important,” Spivak said. “She offers her experience, knowledge and support so selflessly, and has helped me grow into a public health leader.”
Spivak also highlights her involvement with community based initiatives, including Communities for Youth, a Boise State led initiative focused on improving youth mental health and well-being in Idaho, as shaping her understanding of public health beyond the lab. Through that work, she has gained experience in community engagement, data analysis and translating research into action.
“Communities for Youth is focused on upstream prevention, and this is central to any public health prevention work,” she said.
Throughout the program, Spivak has contributed to grant proposals, publications and conference presentations. These experiences have helped her build the skills needed to lead future research and advocate for change.
Looking ahead, she hopes her work will contribute to safer agricultural practices and improved protections for women in the workforce.
“I hope this research will be one part of a bigger push in public health toward systematic changes in agricultural workplaces that protect women,” Spivak said.
As she continues her doctoral work, Spivak remains focused on a larger goal: ensuring that research reflects the realities of all communities and leads to meaningful improvements in health.Learn more about the Doctor of Philosophy in Public and Population Health Leadership program.