Pitt Public Health Magazine

Fall 2025

A Journey of Life

people walking in different stages

How old is old? The question sounds simple, but our answers reveal as much about how we live as how we age. In this issue, students and researchers at Pitt Public Health look at age from every angle: how we grow older, how we define it and how we sustain health across a lifetime. 

tree of life

 

 

The Tree of Life is known across many cultures, representing the source of life, a force that connects all lives or the cycle of life and death itself. 

In science, it is often used as a metaphor for the connections between the diversity of all life on Earth. 

The tree continues to be a powerful symbol in art, particularly religious art. It is the subject of one of the most famous works by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. 

The Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze (1905) is a mural from Klimt's golden period that symbolizes the unity between heaven, earth and the underworld. 

Message from the Dean

"This issue is dedicated to showing that our mission to promote healthful aging is more than a vision at the School of Public Health—it's an active, ongoing commitment. Through a robust portfolio of research, education and community engagement, Pitt Public Health is tackling the multifaceted challenges of aging from every angle...

Wellness for Life
Dean Maureen Lichtveld
illustration of older person stretching on a graph
In-Depth

Healthy Aging

The role of public health research, education and practice in healthy aging. 

Features
Healthy Home Lab with illustrated stethoscope forming a heart
Focus

Safer & Healthier

The Healthy Home Lab aims to help seniors age in place with innovation, policy and practice.

Healthy Home Lab
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Research

Prevention in Focus

Redefining what it means to grow old

Studying Age, Sustaining Lives
""
Spotlight

What is Old?

Students answer, "At what age is someone old?

What We Call Old
Jane Cauley in light blue suit this year outside of the school
Profile

Skeleton Keys

Jane A. Cauley: A career in caring

Skeleton Keys
""
Spotlight

A Perfect Prism

Consortium Connections: One Health in the spotlight

A Perfect Prism
Deborah Brodine in front of brick wall
Profile

Career in Balance

Alumna Deborah Brodine leads efforts in mental health, aging service

Career in Balance
Briefly
megaphone

Department News
Mairson with supervisors, dean, vice dean at event

Celebrating Staff
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Noteworthy
man hiking through the woods with backpack, bedroll, evergreen trees in the background

Firm Footing
pen and notebook

Class Notes
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Leadership Lessons
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Another Look:

Shown here, a 1957 placard recognizes the trust that built Pitt Public Health's home—a lasting reminder that longevity depends as much on purpose as on place. The original still hangs at the De Soto Street entrance. 

Pitt Public Health Magazine

© 2025 by University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health

Correspondence

Share your thoughts with Pitt Public Health at phmag@pitt.edu. 

Pitt Public Health is published by the Office of the Dean, School of Public Health. It is produced twice a year for alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of Pitt Public Health. 

The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. 

Executive Editor

Michele Dula Baum, Senior Science Communications Manager

Editors

Jeanine Buchanich, PhD, MEd, MPH, Vice Dean
Clare Collins, MA, MEd, Director of Marketing and Communications

View Past Issues

Contributors, Editorial Advisory Board, etc. 

Communications Team

Joseph Barreto, Communications Specialist
Amber Curtaccio, Content Manager
Caitlin McCullough, Web Content Manager

Contributors

Maria Mori Brooks, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology and of Biostatistics and Health Data Science
Calvin Dziewulski, Executive Assistant/Communications, Department of Biostatistics an Health Data Science
Nicholas Fitz, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Mike Friend, MS, Communications Specialist, Department of Health Policy and Management
Kaitlin Kirkpatrick Heimke, MPH, Strategic Initiatives Program Manager
Maureen Lichtveld, MD, MPH, Dean, School of Public Health
Iva Miljkovic, MD, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Epidemiology
Elsa Strotmeyer, PhD, MPH, Professor and Executive Vice Chair, Department of Epidemiology

Design

Landesberg Design

Photography

Photos courtesy of the School of Public Health unless otherwise noted. 

Editorial Advisory Board

Sloane Astorino
Cindy Bryce, PhD
Lourdes Cano, JD
Berthony Deslouches, MD, PhD
Julie M. Donohue, PhD
Tamara Dubowitz, ScD, SM, MSc
Calvin Dziewulski
Thistle Elias, DrPH, MPA
Mike Friend, MS
Catherine Haggerty, PhD, MPH
Mary Hawk, DrPH
Suresh Kuchipudi, PhD, MVSc, MBA
Yan Ma, PhD
Cynthia McCarthy, DHCE, MA
Tina Ndoh, PhD
Quasar Padiath, MBBS, PhD
Elaine Vitone
Sally Wenzel, MD
Ada Youk, PhD