Anoopa Sharma

Memorial Reward

In memory of Anoopa on her 25th birthday, September 7, 2005, the Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, established the Anoopa Sharma Award for Research in Epidemiology. The award recognizes a graduate student who is pursuing public health research in the under-served populations of the world.

This year’s recipient of the Anoopa Sharma Award for Research in Epidemiology is Erin Murray, a Ph.D. student at Emory. Erin and Anoopa worked together researching in Bangledesh, and they grew a friendship that continued back at Emory. Erin posted a wonderful message to Anoopa here on her site in March:

You are a fantastic friend and one of the most amazing people I have ever known. I will cherish the time we had together, particularly our time in Bangladesh. You made my experience better than I could have imagined, and it would not have been the same without you. Your spirit and enthusiam got me out of the guest house and onto the streets of Dhaka, a scary adventure for someone who had never been outside of North America before! By the time you were finished helping me get my international traveling feet beneath me, I was able to wander the streets of Kathmandu and travel in India by myself, and I thank you for that. I also thank you for getting me to Nepal and India, and for making me a part of your family in Delhi for a few days before we parted ways.

A piece of Anoopa will carry on through the work Erin continues to pursue! Best wishes to Erin.

Anoopa Sharma Memorial Fund

Work continues on Anoopa's pet project to improve the facilities at the girls school in Atrauli, India. Your contributions continue to build funds for the project - THANK YOU! Plans are being developed for construction of a school auditorium/community center and library. Anoopa's father Dennis Sharma and his brother are in discussions with the school’s management regarding their needs, a potential cost-sharing plan, project management and start-up. It is hoped that these discussions will be concluded over the next few months so the construction can begin early next year.

Thanks from the Sharma Family

The following is a letter sent earlier this month by Anoopa's mother Anita Sharma to Missy McCall of Emory:

Dear Ms. McCall,
I am very thankful for the Anoopa Sharma Award plaque, agenda, photos and videotape you sent us. FedEx re-routed the package from Santa Rosa, California to Virginia. We are glad that it wasn't lost, and is finally here, with us.
It is very kind and thoughtful of Dr. Mandel to have a plaque made for us as well. Seeing Anoopa's picture engraved in brass was touching. I am pleased to have this plaque as a constant reminder of how deep an impact Anoopa made on students, staff and faculty of the Emory School of Public Health. We hope that Anoopa's dream of serving the health needs
of poor around the world will inspire the Emory students for years to come.
Please keep us informed about the tree planting, as and when it takes place.

Sincerely,
Anita Sharma