Celebrating Epi Student Impact
Published on November 19, 2025
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 Hansen
MS, 2nd-year
CPH Research Week poster session winner
- Mobile Clinics for Brain Health Equity: A Feasibility Study of Dementia Risk Reduction in Underserved Communities
- Each year, the IPHRP awards exceptional CPH Research Week poster(s) that meet the following criteria: Posters that demonstrate collaboration or the translation of research into policy and/or practice, or workforce development.
Erin Wissler Gerdes PhD, 4th Year
Honorable Mention for her 3MT presentation
- “Under Pressure: Characterizing Parental Rage and its Relationship with Anxiety in Modern Parenthood.”
Olivia Caldera MPH, 2nd year
- This scholarship will be awarded to a current CPH student who has demonstrated an interest in and commitment to substance misuse prevention, treatment or policy. The substance use focus includes, but is not limited to, tobacco.
Grace Gerdts, PhD, 3rd Year
Aspiring Doula Scholarship
- Recipient of the aspiring doula scholarship through the Global Doula Project organization. The Global Doula Project partners with training organizations to offer need-based scholarships to aspiring doulas showing particular promise and passion. Selected recipients demonstrate a commitment to improving birth and death for families in their communities.
Maleeha Naseem
PhD scholar
Publications
Maria Banas | PhD, 2nd-year
Faith Elenwa | PhD, 2nd-year
Grace Gerdts | PhD, 2nd-year
Amir Ghanbri | PhD
Presentations
Erin Wissler Gerdes Epidemiology | 4th Year PhD
Presented poster at Marce of North America (MONA) in Toronto, Canada, November 2025
“Under Pressure: Anxiety’s Impact on Mom and Dad Rage”
Razan Babikir , MPH | 2nd-year
Presented at the American Public Health Association (APHA)
Nov 2025, Washington D.C.
“Beyond the headlines: The war in Sudan and the public health consequences of a forgotten conflict”
Benita Amos, MS | 2nd-year
Presented poster at the American Public Health Association (APHA)
Nov 2025, Washington D.C.:
“Zoonotic spillover and disease emergence: A mini review of treatment and toxicity “
Chioma Okezie, MPH | 2nd-year
Presented poster at the American Public Health Association (APHA)
Nov 2025, Washington D.C.:
“Uptake, barriers, and benefits of multi-month dispensing among people living with HIV and healthcare workers: A qualitative systematic review “
Hendri Marinda Sari, MPH | 2nd-year
Presented poster at the American Public Health Association (APHA)
Nov 2025, Washington D.C.:
“Access versus Quality: Addressing Barriers to Preventive Health Services in the United States Healthcare System “
Jocelyn Demiglio MPH | Alums
Presented poster at the American Public Health Association (APHA)
Nov 2025, Washington D.C.:
“Prenatal Methamphetamine Use and Associated Maternal-Child Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review”
Joy Edeh | PhD
Presented at the American Public Health Association (APHA)
Nov 2025, Washington D.C.:
Obstetric mistreatment among women with disabilities: A global systematic review
The Social and Health Care Needs of Perinatal Women
The association between antiretroviral therapy medication dispensing types and viral suppression among people living with HIV: A meta-analysis
Abby Schueller | PhD 1st Year- EPi
additional contributors Emily Jester, Analisa Pearson
Presented at the 2025 Pediatric Nursing Conference.
30 Years of Child Death Review Team In Iowa: Historical and Emerging Trends in Child Fatality in Iowa
“I had the privilege of presenting at the 2025 Pediatric Nursing Conference. This was a collaborative effort with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Child Death Review Team (CDRT) Program Manager and Emily Jester. In my capacity as a multidisciplinary team member, I provided information on team processes, pertinent outcomes, as well as prevention recommendations across the socio-ecological model.”
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