Lee named recipient of 2025 New Faculty Research Award

Julie Lee, assistant professor of health management and policy, has been named the 2025 recipient of the College of Public Health’s New Faculty Research Award. This award assists newly appointed or junior faculty in collecting preliminary data or pilot studies leading to larger projects. The awards are based on scientific merit, including originality; relevance to the University […] Published December 9, 2025

Plugged in to Public Health: Understanding elderspeak in dementia care with Dr. Claire Shaw

How we talk to older adults matters more than we think. In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, host Lauren Lavin talks with Dr. Claire Shaw, assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing, about her research on dementia care and the communication patterns that shape it. Dr. Shaw explains what elderspeak is, why it often appears in caregiving settings, and how even well-meaning speech can unintentionally trigger stress, confusion, or care refusal in people living with dementia. Published December 9, 2025

New studies shed light on road safety

Together, two new studies from the University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (UIIPRC) shed light on road safety, one examining teenage drivers and passengers, and the other focusing on drivers across a broader range of ages. Published December 9, 2025

Call for student poster abstracts: 2026 Public Health Conference of Iowa

Any student interested in presenting a poster is encouraged to submit an abstract focused on current and emerging public health issues. Deadline for submission is Feb. 1, 2026. All student poster presentations will be in person on Apr. 9, 2026 at the conference in Des Moines.  Published December 4, 2025

Timileyin Adediran joins the Department of Epidemiology 

The Department of Epidemiology is pleased to welcome assistant professor Dr. Timileyin Adediran, PhD, MPH, CIC, who joined the faculty in November 2025. Dr. Adediran earned her BA in Biology and Health Administration and Public Policy with a minor in Sociology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She then completed her MPH at the […] Published December 4, 2025

Wehby joins ‘Health Affairs’ editorial board

Professor George Wehby, John W. Colloton Chair and Head of the Department of Health Management and Policy, is one of 11 new members of the editorial board for 'Health Affairs,' a leading peer-reviewed journal of health policy thought and research. Published December 2, 2025

Charlton discusses cancer in young adults

On a recent episode of Iowa Public Radio’s 'Talk of Iowa,' Professor Mary Charlton joined two young cancer survivors for an insightful conversation about navigating life after cancer as a young adult in Iowa. Published December 2, 2025

Charlton co-authors op-ed on reasons for hope in Iowa’s fight against cancer

Cancer rates in Iowa may be rising, but there’s reason for optimism. In a recent Des Moines Register op-ed, co-authors Mary Charlton, Mark Burkard, and Bradley Hiatt write that through statewide collaboration, innovative research, and expanded access to care, Iowa is making real progress in the fight against cancer. Published December 1, 2025

Zahnd receives Jerry Karbeling Award

The Iowa Rural Health Association recently honored Assistant Professor Whitney Zahnd with the Jerry Karbeling Award. Published December 1, 2025

2026 CPH Faculty and Staff Awards open for nominations

The College of Public Health annually presents awards to recognize current faculty and staff for outstanding accomplishments. Please visit this page for more information and to access the nomination forms under the “CPH Faculty and Staff Awards” section. Nominations Deadline: Thursday, March 12, 2026 2026 CPH Faculty Categories: 2026 CPH Staff Categories: Please consider nominating […] Published December 1, 2025