2021 Fall semester has started, and we wanted to introduce our 3 amazing student leaders: Shaddy Sabba, Caroline Johnston, and Qing Jin. Since last year, they have been key in representing our students, while helping CAIS plan intellectual and social events.
Third year social work doctoral student Shaddy Saba, one of three USC CAIS student leaders.
To start off, let’s get to know more about our student leader from social work: Shaddy Saba. From Redlands, CA, Shaddy is a third-year PhD student in social work focused on the behavioral health needs of military veterans, particularly the relationship between traumatic stress, physical pain, and substance use. He believes CAIS is a compelling environment where folks with diverse intellectual backgrounds can think together in innovative ways about social problems and their solutions. Shaddy argues that: “when it comes to behavioral health research, the proliferation of big data (e.g., large health system data, data from mobile devices) makes computational methods and perspectives increasingly relevant for understanding and tackling problems.” He became interested in becoming a student leader to support CAIS as an intellectual space as well as to encourage participation from fellow students and researchers in the social sciences.
We asked Shaddy some fun icebreaker questions, and here are his answers:
- List your favorite book, TV show, and movie.
Book: Peace is Every Step; TV show: The Wire; Movie: Sound of Metal
- What would the title of your autobiography be?
Not too Shaddy: the Shaddy Saba Story
- What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“There’s always money in the banana stand!”
- What is your favorite item you’ve bought this year?
Instant Pot
- If you had to delete all but 3 apps from your smartphone, which ones would you keep?
Spotify, Reddit app, Waking Up
- If you had to eat one meal everyday for the rest of your life what would it be?
Double Double, animal style, with hot peppers
- If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
The Swiss Alps
- What would be the most surprising scientific discovery imaginable?
That there AREN’T aliens
- What is your absolute dream job?
Still deciding between astronaut and tenure-track assistant professor.
- What would your superpower be and why?
Being able to immediately master any musical instrument I pick up.
- Last, but not least, why should students join CAIS?
CAIS is a great place to share ideas with like-minded people from both within and outside of your discipline!
