IPRC seeks pilot grant proposals addressing injuries, violence

The University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRC) is seeking pilot research proposals that address injuries and violence. Pilot project grant awards will generally range from $20,000-$22,500, with up to four proposals funded. The application deadline is March 20, 2026. Published January 27, 2026

Charlton, Zahnd talk cancer data in Polk County

Mary Charlton and Whitney Zahnd from the UI College of Public Health recently presented cancer data to residents of Polk County, IA as part of Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project, which is working to present county-specific cancer data in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. The project is led by the Iowa Cancer Registry and University of Iowa College of Public Health, in collaboration with the Iowa Cancer Consortium, University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Iowa Rural Health Association. Published January 26, 2026

Jonathan Platt discusses social media impacts on teenagers and adults

In a recent episode of Iowa Public Radio's 'Talk of Iowa' CPH assistant professor Jonathan Platt joined a discussion about how social media affects the lives and mental health of teenagers and adults. Published January 22, 2026

Beyond ‘mom rage’: Epidemiology student explores parental mental health and social support

Erin Wissler Gerdes, a PhD candidate in epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, is studying the mental health of parents with young children. Her thesis examines how untreated anxiety contributes to parental rage and the protective role social support plays.   Published January 21, 2026

CPH students highlighted in 2026 Dare to Discover campaign

Four CPH students are featured in the UI's 2026 Dare to Discover banner campaign, highlighting outstanding student researchers. Read more about how their work is making an impact. Published January 20, 2026

CPH alumna Tala Al Rousan discusses migration as a public health priority

Dr. Tala Al Rousan (15MPH), Professor of Public Health at UC San Diego and Founding Director of the Displacement and Health Research Center, was a recent guest on the "Across Borders" podcast to talk about what it means to treat migration and displacement as core public health realities, not peripheral crises. Published January 15, 2026

Nominations for 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards due March 2

The UI College of Public Health is pleased to announce that it is accepting nominations for its 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards. This award program recognizes outstanding alumni in two categories: first, recent graduates who have completed College of Public Health programs within the past ten years and, second, other alumni for accomplishments throughout their careers. Published January 14, 2026

CPH faculty lead innovative projects backed by Obermann Center grants

College of Public Health faculty members Nichole Nidey and Shannon Lea Watkins are helping drive forward new interdisciplinary research projects recently funded by the UI's Obermann Center for Advanced Studies Interdisciplinary Research Grant Program. Published January 12, 2026

Taeuk Kang awarded pilot research grant

Tauek Kang, a 2nd year PhD student in epidemiology, has been awarded a $30,000 pilot research grant from the UI's Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health (GPCAH). Published December 16, 2025

VIDEO: What is Public Health?

Have you ever struggled to explain to someone exactly what public health is and why it matters? Here's a great new overview video of about all of the things we study, research, discuss, and advocate for at the UI College of Public Health - public health for beginners, if you will. So the next time you get the question about what it is that you do, here's a great place to start.  Published December 15, 2025