USF has joined the as its 11th member. As part of this development, President Rhea Law nominated the 鈥檚 (COPH) professor to be the university鈥檚 representative on the Consortium Board.
The Consortium was established by the Florida Legislature in 2019 and currently is comprised of eleven Florida universities.
Quast, a health economist in the COPH, brings extensive research experience around the impact of economic conditions on health status, Medicaid policy and the effects of natural disasters on health and health care utilization. His funded research explores the treatment of children displaced after Hurricane Katrina and has a strong interest in using large datasets for population health analysis.
Quast鈥檚 research also focuses on marijuana and similar medications such as opioids, and he played a pivotal role in securing USF鈥檚 membership in the Consortium.
鈥淚鈥檓 very excited at the opportunities that Consortium membership will provide to USF researchers and students,鈥� said Quast.
He explained the Consortium serves as a critical hub for medical marijuana research, hosting an annual conference where researchers present findings and discuss policy implications. It also offers pilot grant funding for researchers from member institutions to explore clinical and policy issues surrounding medical marijuana. Additionally, the Consortium manages the MEMORY databank, which compiles and links various datasets on medical marijuana use, providing a valuable resource for researchers.
(Photo courtesy of Quast)
鈥淚 was very excited by the nomination and very grateful for the assistance of and President Law for making it possible,鈥� he said.
Quast sees this appointment as an opportunity to further his research goals by collaborating with leading experts in the field.
鈥淪erving on the board will also allow me to collaborate with the top researchers in the state in this area and contribute to research that will inform Florida state policy in this evolving area,鈥� he noted.
His broader research mission aligns with his new role on the board, as he remains committed to conducting research that informs the public and policymakers about the costs and benefits of public health policy.
鈥淒ata analysis that provides empirical insight into health challenges facing society is my passion,鈥� Quast said.