|
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
|
Elizabeth Chrischilles, professor and DEO of the Department of Epidemiology and Marvin A. and Rose Lee Pomerantz Endowed Chair in Public Health, received the 2026 UI Leadership in Research Award, a lifetime achievement recognizing enduring research and scholarly accomplishments.
Mary Charlton, professor in the Department of Epidemiology and director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, received the 2026 University of Iowa Faculty Communicating Ideas Award, which honors excellence in communicating research to the public through print and electronic media.
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) awarded funding to 12 interdisciplinary University of Iowa research teams to support the development of large, competitive grant proposals. The program begins this year and will run through 2029. A CPH-led project will examine cancer survivorship care in rural populations.
The College of Public Health and Iowa Immunizes have launched a new webinar series celebrating two decades of cancer prevention, protection, and progress made possible by the HPV vaccine. The next webinar in the series is April 24, with a session on HPV and cervical cancer.
With more older drivers on the road, states try to balance safety and mobility. "Every state has some kind of licensing policy that affects older adults, but we don't really have good evidence behind those policies," said associate professor Cara Hamann, an epidemiologist at the UI College of Public Health who studies road safety.
A number of news stories were generated about the 2026 Cancer in Iowa report that was released on March 13, 2026. Check out a sample of some of the media coverage.
The Cancer in Iowa Report, published annually by the Iowa Cancer Registry, provides an overview of the current burden of cancer in the state. In addition to annual data and projections, the 2026 report features findings from the Agricultural Health Study, one of the world’s largest and longest-running active studies of agricultural exposures and health.
In a recent blog post, epidemiology PhD student Erin Taber discusses how community engagement and lived experience inform her research in maternal and child health (MCH), and reflects on the value of community partnerships and the importance of centering patient perspectives in advancing MCH practice.
Rusmir Hamzic is a graduate student in epidemiology with a global perspective and a drive to understand the science behind disease. He recently shared more about his academic interests, life outside the classroom, and the experiences that continue to fuel his commitment to public health.
In this episode, we sit down with Brian Gryzlak, program director in the department of epidemiology, to talk about what it really takes to coordinate large multi-site epidemiological research. Brian directs Iowa’s participation in PCORnet, a national patient-centered clinical research network that standardizes healthcare data across institutions to support large-scale comparative effectiveness research.
Taeuk Kang, a second-year PhD student in the department of epidemiology, has been inducted as a full member of Sigma Xi, the world’s largest general research honor society.
The Iowa Board of Regents has selected Mary Charlton, professor of epidemiology and director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, as one of six outstanding University of Iowa faculty members to be honored for their extraordinary contributions and sustained record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
Professor Emeritus Robert Wallace was quoted in a recent story about the life of physician and epidemiologist Dr. William Foege, an Iowa native who led the global effort to eradicate smallpox.
The College of Public Health and Iowa Immunizes are launching a new webinar series celebrating two decades of cancer prevention, protection, and progress made possible by the HPV vaccine. The series begins on March 6 with a session dedicated to exploring the current burden of HPV‑associated cancers and the impact of vaccination.
Erin Wissler Gerdes pronouns: She/her Program: 4th Phd Hometown: Indianapolis, IN Field(s) of interest: women’s health, maternal health, parental health, mental health Topic of current project: Characterizing Parental Rage and its Relationship with Anxiety in Modern Parenthood Quickfire Queries: Ranking must-haves for surviving grad school: 1.Caffeine 2. A good officemate 3. An understanding advisor 4. […]
Dr. Timi Adediran Assistant Professor This or That? Community transmission Healthcare-associated infections Community conversation Classroom discussion Academic research Field-based epidemiology Applied public health practice Modeling transmission dynamics
Join us in celebrating the recent achievements of our epidemiology students, who are making waves in public health through their impactful research, publications, awards, and other innovations. Undergraduate student Harry Bui is advancing patient-centered research across Iowa by bridging science and social science approaches to improve diabetes care. From developing biosensor innovations to improving access to preventative […]
Martha Carvour (12PhD, 12MD) assistant professor of internal medicine (infectious diseases) and epidemiology in the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and College of Public Health, has been awarded Campus Compact’s Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement.
Dean Edith Parker along with professors Mary Charlton and Jake Oleson presented preliminary snapshots into research conducted at the University of Iowa to determine drivers of Iowa’s high cancer rates. The 2-year, $1 million project was funded by Gov. Kim Reynolds and state lawmakers last year.
As the Iowa Cancer Registry's 99 Counties Project crosses the halfway point, Professor Mary Charlton commented on progress made and work yet to be done.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
A new study led by an international consortium of breast cancer experts, including senior author Paul Romitti, University of Iowa Distinguished Chair and professor of epidemiology, sheds light on how advanced breast cancer is changing—and what that means for patient care.
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.
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 […]
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.
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.
Attending the APHA career sessions this year was honestly one of the most useful things I’ve done for my own job search. A lot of what I thought I knew about resumes, networking and applying for jobs changed after hearing from recruiters, career coaches and people who actually hire public health students. I wanted to […]
Payal Vedanayagam Program: MPH, 1st-year Hometown: Cedar Falls, IA Field(s) of interest: Cancer and Rural Health Quickfire Queries: Ranking must-haves for surviving grad school: 1.Dual computer screens 2. School-Work/Personal Life Boundaries 3. An understanding advisor 4. A good officemate 5. Caffeine Congratulations on your election as the ESA First Year Representative for 2025-2026!
Dr. Anjali Deshpande Clinical Associate Professor This or That? Evidence Experience Community conversation Classroom discussion Mentoring students Cancer survivorship research Training professionals Chronic condition qualitative research QATs Quotes of All Time “Every storm runs out of rain.”
Join us in celebrating the recent achievements of our epidemiology students, who are making waves in public health through their impactful research, publications, awards, and other innovations. Awards & Contributions Max HansenMS, 2nd-year CPH Research Week poster session winner Erin Wissler Gerdes PhD, 4th Year Honorable Mention for her 3MT presentation Olivia Caldera MPH, 2nd year […]
Payal Vedanayagam 1st-year MPH student, Epidemiology From November 2nd – November 5th, a handful of Epi students attended American Public Health Association in Washington D.C.! This year’s theme was, “Making the Public’s Health a National Priority.” APHA is the largest public health gathering of the year and it’s where public health professionals from around the world can […]
Congratulations to Erin Wissler Gerdes, PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology. She received Honorable Mention recognition in the UI Graduate College's recent Three Minute Thesis competition for her research about untreated mental health conditions in parents, particularly anxiety, and how they contribute to expressions of rage.
For a limited time, full-time undergraduate or graduate students may attend the the 2025 Iowa Rural Health Association annual conference at no cost. The one-day, in-person conference will take place Thursday, Nov. 20, on the campus of Simpson College in Indianola. Verification of enrollment may be required.
Iowa researchers are studying how to make roads and traffic safer for all ages. Whether we’re crossing a street as a pedestrian, riding a bike, or driving a vehicle, navigating traffic can be complex. Researchers in the College of Public Health are studying different aspects of road safety and how to prevent injuries throughout the […]
Did you know Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights in terms of pedestrian safety? Associate Professor Cara Hamann discusses the risks and offers safety tips. (WOI-TV)
Congratulations to the latest recipients of the Dr. Carol S. Gleich Development Award! This award is available to faculty members and graduate students in the College of Public Health to support travel expenses to perform an official function at a national or international meeting. See the latest recipients.
Planning to attend the APHA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC? View a list of CPH presentations, find our exhibit booth, and attend the CPH alumni and friends reception on Nov. 3.
Two new University of Iowa studies examine negative life events and stressors that often precede suicide deaths in the U.S. Amanda Sursely, who graduated last spring from the Department of Epidemiology, led the studies as part of her PhD work.
Dr. Ryan Carnahan This or That? Quiet influence Loud impact Drawing DAGs by hand Using DAGitty Department Head hat Cleaning claims data Mentor hat Explaining claims data to someone new to Pharmacoepi QATs Quotes of All Time Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation. When you’re going through hell, keep going. Press on: nothing in the […]
Taeuk Kang Kang was assigned as ambassador to the S M Sehgal Foundation in India Kang is pleased to share that he has been appointed as an ambassador to the S M Sehgal Foundation, an Indian rural development NGO founded in 1999. He previously collaborated with the foundation during the India Winterim program, led by […]
Maleeha Naseem (24CER), PhD student and graduate research assistant in the Department of Epidemiology, was recently selected as a member of University of Iowa’s local chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
Professor Paul R. Pomrehn passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 6, 2025. He received an MD degree from the University of Iowa in 1975 and an MS degree from the UI Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health (now part of the College of Public Health) in 1979. He held numerous academic leadership roles at the UI and made significant contributions to training clinicians and practitioners in preventive medicine and community health.
A new state-level action plan is addressing sexual violence in Iowa and serves as a resource to help prevent it before it occurs. The state action plan was created by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), the University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (UI IPRC), and Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault (IowaCASA).
Meet Brian Gryzlak, program director in the Department of Epidemiology. In this new video, Brian shares his journey from research assistant to leading complex, multi-site clinical studies and talks about the human side of research, where teamwork and trust are just as critical as data and design.
Mary Charlton, professor of epidemiology, will present the 2025 College of Public Health Distinguished Faculty Lecture, "How Public Health Can Support High-Quality Cancer Care Close to Home," on Nov. 13.
The University of Iowa SAS® Users Group invites you to attend an instructional seminar on the SAS Macro language and PROC SQL. SAS expert Rebecca Callaway will give two presentations on Oct. 3 in N120 CPHB. Please register in advance.
A new study led by Amir Ghanbari, a PhD student in the Department of Epidemiology, offers insights into the safety of cycling routes used by students commuting to school.
Community engagement is a core principle of public health work, and our incoming graduate students get to experience it first-hand before they ever spend a minute in the classroom.
As Iowa students head back to school, associate professor Cara Hamann talks about new crosswalk laws and shares walking and biking safety tips for kids and parents. (Multiple sources)
Magellan Health, Inc., recently announced that UI College of Public Health alumna Caroline Carney will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, succeeding former CEO Derrick Duke.
University of Iowa scholars secured support for more than 2,300 projects in fiscal year 2025, pursuing research aimed at developing cancer treatments and patient care, advancing brain science and mental health, and building healthier and more resilient Iowa communities. External funding to the UI was $705.6 million in fiscal year 2025, which ended on June 30. (Iowa Now)
The University of Iowa College of Public Health has announced the reappointment of Maggie Chorazy and Brandi Janssen following comprehensive reviews conducted this spring.
University of Iowa Professor of Epidemiology Michael Pentella says proper preparation and cooking food thoroughly are keys to avoid food-borne illnesses during holiday cookouts. (KGAN)
As part of the Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project, the Iowa Cancer registry will host a public meeting on Monday, June 30 to present cancer data and insights specific to Johnson County.
Shoshannah Eggers, assistant professor of epidemiology, is part of a research team that found a compelling link between the composition of the gut microbiome and the risk of cognitive impairment in adults, underscoring the complex role that both biology and social determinants—such as food insecurity—play in brain health. (EurekAlert!)
Dr. Nichole Nidey, assistant professor in the University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology, joins Lauren to talk about the Empower Project, a collaborative effort that aims to improve research and clinical care related to substance use during pregnancy.
A new University of Iowa research study examining possible associations between maternal influenza vaccination and a host of major structural birth defects reaffirms the safety of the vaccination during early pregnancy. The study was led by Paul Romitti, University of Iowa Distinguished Chair, professor of epidemiology, and director of the Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders.
Are you interested in sparking new research that addresses some of the most pressing human challenges of our time? CPH will host a micro lab on climate change and injury and violence prevention on July 9.
The University of Iowa College of Public Health has received funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to continue to expand and strengthen its maternal and child health curriculum. The Maternal and Child Health Public Health Catalyst Program is led by William Story, associate professor of community and behavioral health.
On July 1, Iowa law enforcement will begin distributing warnings for the handheld use of electronic devices while driving. Experts including Cara Hamann, director of the UI Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Safety Lab, offer reminders for reducing distractions while driving. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Professor Michael Pentella, director of the State Hygienic Laboratory and clinical professor of epidemiology, offers some food tips for safe summer gatherings and cookouts. (Iowa Magazine)
Mary Charlton, director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, recently discussed the "Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project" and how federal funding cuts and layoffs have impacted statewide work to advance cancer prevention and control in Iowa. (Iowa Public Radio)
Non-Fiction Better Data Visualizations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonksby Jonathan Schwabish Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgotby Mikki Kendall Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgotby Mikki Kendall Indigenous Statistics: A Quantitative Research Methodologyby Chris Andersen, Maggie Walter, Tahu Kukutai, Chelsea Gabel Abundanceby Ezra Klein & Derek […]
Dr. Betsy Chrischilles Hometown: Iowa City, IA Alma mater: The University of Iowa Field of research: Pharmacoepidemiology Topic or title of current project: Infrastructure for Conducting Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research. PCORnet®️, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network Quickfire Queries: This or That? Quiet influence Loud impact Drawing DAGs by hand Using DAGitty Mentor hat […]
Sarah Nash, the director of research, analytics, and dissemination with the Iowa Cancer Registry and an assistant professor of epidemiology, recently commented on the 99 Counties Project, which aims to visit all 99 counties in Iowa to present local data and discuss cancer rates and risk factors. (The Gazette)
Spring & Summer 2025 Epidemiology Graduates Not featured: Sauda Abdullahi, MPHMaria Bozoghlian, MSRachael Chittum, MPHChristopher Strouse, MSMaree Elliott, MPHAndrew Goldsmith, MPHKlaudia Hernandez, MPH
ESA Board 2025-2026 Katie Fuhrmeister (She/Her/Hers) PhD Representative Top 4 Favorite Songs of All Time: Faith Elenwa (She/Her) PhD Representative Top 4 Favorite Songs of All Time: Prithvi Raj Daliboyina (He/Him/His) At-Large Representative Top 4 Favorite Songs of All Time: Lauren Johnson (She/Her) MS Representative Top 4 Favorite Songs of All Time: “Picking favorite songs […]
In this episode, Lauren welcomes Mary Charlton, director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, to the podcast to discuss the Iowa Cancer Registry's "99 Counties Project."
Mary Charlton, director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, says the registry has long been under pressure to cut costs from the NIH, where it gets most of its funding. She's concerned that additional cuts could mean the registry has to ask the state for funding or start charging hospitals for the data. (Iowa Public Radio)
Rebeca Galindo, a second-year doctoral candidate in epidemiology, knew she wanted to be an infectious disease epidemiologist at a young age. Now she's involved with a research project developing a rapid diagnostic test to accelerate identifying antibiotic resistance in Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Sarah Nash, director of research analytics and dissemination at the Iowa Cancer Registry and assistant professor of epidemiology, and Kelly Wells Sittig, executive director of the Iowa Cancer Consortium, recently appeared on "Iowa Press" to discuss many facets of cancer in Iowa.
'Road diets,' the practice of removing street lanes to calm traffic, is a tool used by many cities. A University of Iowa study co-authored by Cara Hamann, associate professor of epidemiology, found no noticeable difference in response times of emergency vehicles where road diets are in place. (AP News)
The iCREATE summer program is one of several scholarly and research exchanges that have developed from decades-long collaborations between the UI College of Public Health and academic institutions in Central and Eastern Europe.
Congratulations to CPH students Khyathi Gadag and Emily Jester for receiving 2025 Hancher-Finkbine Awards! They were honored at an event on April 8.
A new University of Iowa study led by Cara Hamann, CPH associate professor, examined the effects of driver license renewal policies on motor vehicle crashes and injuries among older drivers in 13 states. The researchers found that longer renewal periods and/or less frequent in-person renewal were associated with increased crash and injury rates for older drivers. (Multiple sources)
In this episode, Lauren talks with Anjali Deshpande, clinical associate professor of epidemiology and the current president of the Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA). Deshpande discusses her journey into public health and the role of IPHA in advocating for and strengthening public health practice.
The University of Iowa College of Public Health is the No. 19 school/program of public health in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings for 2025. See the full list of public health-related program rankings.
Ragan Martin, an MPH student in epidemiology, was honored by the Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) with the 2025 Emerging Leader Award.
A public health team led by Professor Mary Charlton from the University of Iowa is collaborating with partners across the state to share county-specific cancer data with residents in each of Iowa’s 99 counties.
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.
