CPH Staff Appreciation Awards announced

Kortney Barrett, Margaret Evans, Michele Hogue, Megan Riley, and Janie Simmons will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the university and the College of Public Health at the UI's 2026 Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony on May 5 at Hancher Auditorium. Published April 29, 2026

Shining a spotlight on rural veteran suicide

John Gautreaux, a PhD candidate in occupational and environmental health, says the structured environment of an undergraduate education shortly after his seven-year military service ended helped him as he reentered civilian life. Now Josh studies how veterans’ use of Veterans Administration (VA) services affects suicide rates during what is known as the “deadly gap”—the first year after a service member returns to civilian life, when veterans face an increased risk of suicide and substance use. Published April 23, 2026

Depth or Breadth? Navigating Funding Agency Strategies for Research Success

Explore the strategic trade-offs between focusing on a single funding agency or submitting to multiple sponsors, drawing on real-world experiences across career stages and disciplines with senior researchers. CPH Professor and Associate Dean for Research Hans‑Joachim Lehmler will be one of the panelists. Published April 22, 2026

OEH student Caroline Powell charts what Iowa’s cancer rates mean to us 

Growing up in New York City, Caroline Powell surprised herself when her passion for public health led her to the fields of Iowa, studying peoples’ perceptions of cancer in agricultural communities. She’ll be the first to say, there’s a big gap between what people know about cancer, what they think they know, and how they act. Published April 20, 2026

Iowa researchers study effects of hurricanes on US veterans’ heart and lung health

Hurricanes are increasing in frequency and severity, putting more communities at risk for damage to property and health.  A new study by University of Iowa researchers evaluated whether exposure to hurricanes is associated with cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) and respiratory (lung) events among United States veterans. Published April 17, 2026

University of Iowa College of Public Health ranked No. 18 in the nation

The University of Iowa College of Public Health is the No. 18 school/program of public health in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings for 2026. See the full list of public health-related program rankings. Published April 7, 2026

Janssen, Kaskie discuss rural health issues on “River to River”

CPH faculty members Brandi Janssen and Brian Kaskie spoke with host Ben Kieffer about the recent UI Obermann Symposium on rural health and some of the issues researchers are tackling including the achievement gap for rural students, unequal access to nutritious food, and communities not adapting to an aging population.  Published March 30, 2026

Peter Thorne discusses link between climate change and increased seasonal allergies

Professor Peter Thorne says higher carbon dioxide levels and higher temperatures change the way allergenic plants grow which could lead to an increase in pollen and seasonal sniffles. Published March 23, 2026

From Iowa to Disneyland: How CPH alumna Emma Smaellie keeps the magic safe

UI College of Public Health alumna Emma Smaellie (23MS, OEH Industrial Hygiene) plays a behind‑the‑scenes role in one of the most iconic destinations in the world: the Disneyland Resort. As a safety professional supporting thousands of cast members across parks, hotels, entertainment spaces, and specialized crafts, Emma uses her industrial hygiene training to ensure the magic happens safely every day. She shares how she found her path, what her work looks like, and why creating a safer workplace is her favorite part of the job. Published March 2, 2026

GPCAH accepting applications for pilot projects

The Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health is seeking applicants for pilot projects to promote innovative outreach and research efforts to prevent agricultural injury and illness. The pilot program supports both community-based organizations and academic researchers, especially new investigators and trainees. Proposals addressing mental health, chemical safety, equipment/tool safety, and prevention of slips, trips, and falls are especially encouraged in the 2026-27 application cycle. Published March 2, 2026