Hamann offers a fix to the legal loophole in crosswalk laws

Cara Hamann, associate professor of epidemiology, recently wrote an op-ed about a glaring loophole in crosswalk laws in the United States. These laws often give legal protections only to people on foot -- but not to people in wheelchairs, on bicycles, or on other personal conveyances. Hamann offers a simple policy solution. (USA Today) Published November 28, 2023

State Hygienic Lab recognized nationally for wastewater testing

The State Hygienic Laboratory is one of five new wastewater-based centers of excellence established by Ceres Nanosciences with support from the NIH. Wastewater testing allows officials to track the spread of pathogens such as RSV, influenza, mpox, and emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 without having to rely on testing individuals. (OVPR) Published November 28, 2023

Researchers discover genes that influence shape of skull

Paul Romitti, professor of epidemiology, is part of a research team that has discovered a suite of genes that influence head shape in humans. These findings help explain the diversity of human head shapes and may also offer important clues about the genetic basis of conditions that affect the skull, such as craniosynostosis. Published November 28, 2023

Study examines factors that influence passing farm equipment on roadways

Crashes involving farm equipment are a major safety concern for farmers as well as all other road users. To help guide crash prevention strategies, a new study by University of Iowa researchers examined factors that influence drivers' farm equipment passing behaviors and their perceptions about the passing behaviors of other drivers. Published November 16, 2023

Submit a poster abstract to the Public Health Conference of Iowa

The 2024 Public Health Conference of Iowa is now accepting student poster abstracts. The conference will be held March 26 and 27 in Des Moines. The deadline for submission is Monday, Jan. 29. Published November 8, 2023

CPH student Amir Ghanbari receives $20K grant to study adolescent bicycling injuries

Amir Ghanbari, a PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology, has been named the recipient of the 2023 H. Clay Gabler Scholar’s Program Award from the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine. Published November 2, 2023

Connect with the college at APHA in Atlanta

Planning to attend the APHA Annual Meeting in Atlanta? View a list of CPH presentations, find our exhibit booth, and attend the CPH alumni and friends reception on Nov. 13.  Published October 25, 2023

CPH researchers receive grant to continue knee osteoarthritis study

CPH researchers received a $2.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue an ongoing clinical study of knee osteoarthritis. The study, led by Jim Torner, professor of epidemiology and primary investigator of data collection, has overseen the study since 2002. (Daily Iowan) Published October 25, 2023

Department of Epidemiology welcomes two new faculty members

The Department of Epidemiology was pleased to begin the new academic year in August with two new faculty members. Assistant professors Dr. Nichole Nidey (16MS, 19PHD) and Dr. Shoshannah Eggers began in their roles over the summer. Published October 23, 2023

Petersen comments on spread of Leishmania infantum

Leishmania infantum causes a more severe form of the disease called visceral leishmaniasis. Dogs are considered "the main reservoir" of the parasite. Now a boom in recent years of dog arrivals from abroad has raised concerns of this parasite's spread. "All of us have been fielding these calls from state public health veterinarians, from Army veterinarians, that are trying to figure out what to do," said Christine Petersen, director of the University of Iowa's Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases. (CBS News) Published October 19, 2023