Plugged In to Public Health: Dr. Bhramar Mukherjee on courage, data, and public health

In this episode, Raj and Faith chat with renowned biostatistician and public health researcher Bhramar Mukherjee following her Hansen Distinguished Lecture at the University of Iowa College of Public Health on April 29, 2026. Dr. Mukherjee shares her journey from studying mathematics in India to becoming a leading voice in biostatistics, epidemiology, and public communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, they explore the “four quadrants” that shaped her lecture and career: ethics, community engagement, communication, and capacity building. Published June 1, 2026

Preventing harm before it occurs: Q&A with alumna Anne Abbott

University of Iowa College of Public Health alumna Anne Abbott (23PhD) is translating her training into impactful, community-driven work to prevent youth violence and mental health crises in Idaho. In this Q&A, she shares how her Iowa experience shaped her commitment to upstream prevention, the role of communication and evaluation in advancing public health, and her advice for the next generation of practitioners. Published June 1, 2026

College names 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients

The University of Iowa College of Public Health is pleased to announce the recipients of the college’s 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards. Published May 20, 2026

VIDEO: Spring Commencement Highlights

The tassels have turned, the smiles are shining, and the celebration is in full swing! Take a front-row seat to the University of Iowa College of Public Health Spring 2026 Commencement! Relive the energy, smiles, hugs, proud moments, and nonstop Hawkeye spirit. From cap-and-gown excitement to unforgettable memories with family and friends, these grads are ready to take on the world.  Published May 20, 2026

Platt reflects on social media and youth mental health

“There’s a ton of research — hundreds of studies and meta analyzes and meta analyzes of meta analyzes,” UI assistant professor of epidemiology Jonathan Platt told The Gazette. “But really there still is a lot that we don’t know with the kind of rigor that we would like.” Published May 18, 2026

Giving back with gratitude: HMP alumni Steve Birchard and Marsha Miller-Birchard

For alumni Steve Birchard (86MA) and Marsha Miller-Birchard (87MA/MBA), giving back to the University of Iowa Department of Health Management and Policy is a way to say thank you for the education and skills that helped launch their successful careers. Published May 18, 2026

Webinar: the HPV vaccine and 20 years of cancer prevention

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 June 10, with a session on the HPV vaccine and its role in cancer prevention. Published May 18, 2026

Kang receives Rising Star Award

Taeuk Kang, a second-year PhD student in epidemiology, was recognized with a 2026 Rising Star Award for his outstanding contributions as an international scholar at the University of Iowa. Published May 12, 2026

WATCH: CPH students featured in new UI commencement videos

Maren Denison and Erin Wissler Gerdes are featured in the University of Iowa's new commencement videos celebrating undergraduate and graduate students. Published May 11, 2026

Plugged In to Public Health: Parental rage, burnout, and the mental health reality of early parenthood

In this episode, Lauren welcomes Erin Wissler Gerdes, recent PhD graduate from the University of Iowa College of Public Health, to discuss the mental and emotional realities of early parenthood, including anxiety, burnout, loneliness, and “parental rage.” Published May 11, 2026