Department News

Behavioral and Community Health Sciences

Jason Deakings, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of behavioral and community health sciences, recently received separate honors highlighting his research accomplishments. 

He was named to the 2026 New Pittsburgh Courier's "Fab 40 under 40" list and, on behalf of Meharry Medical College, chosen as a Distinguished Research Alumnus. 

The recognitions highlight Deaking's work examining how structural and social factors influence health outcomes in marginalized communities. In particular, his research interests focus on how Black and Brown communities interact with clinical systems and the barriers that shape health care access. 

"I didn't even know anyone had nominated me, so both came completely out of the blue. I feel very honored," said Deakings.

The New Pittsburgh Courier’s 2026 “Fab 40 under 40” list honors young African American professionals who are making significant impacts in the Greater Pittsburgh area.

Being included on the list was meaningful for Deakings, who grew up in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood.

“I remember thinking it would be cool to be part of the list one day, but I never really gave it a second thought,” he said.

Each year, Meharry Medical College of Nashville, Tenn., recognizes alumni whose careers exemplify excellence, innovation and meaningful impact in research. A recognition reception was held in early March where Deakings was a panelist. 

During the symposium, Deakings spoke with current students, an opportunity he especially relished.

“I just finished my PhD in 2024, so I’m not far removed from where they are. I told them, this is doable,” Deakings said.

Biostatistics and Health Data Science

A collaborative research team led by the University of Pittsburgh has been honored with the inaugural Eastern North America Region (ENAR) Team Science Award in Biostatistics from the International Biometric Society. The award recognizes their innovative work integrating advanced biostatistics and machine learning with clinical and biomedical research to advance understanding of childhood asthma and pediatric scleroderma.

The team includes Wei Chen, PhD, professor of pediatrics, School of Medicine, and of biostatistics/health data science and of human genetics, School of Public Health; Juan Celedón, MD, DrPH, Niels K. Jerne Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, School of Medicine, and professor of epidemiology and of human genetics, School of Public Health; Erick Forno, MD, MPH, professor of pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine; Kathryn Torok, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, School of Medicine; Zhao Ren, PhD, associate professor of statistics, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences; and Molin Yue, (PhD, BIOST ’25) a research advisor at Eli Lilly and Co.

The team was recognized for their exceptional integration of advanced biostatistics and machine learning methods with clinical and biomedical expertise. Over a decade of sustained collaboration, they have generated more than 70 high-impact publications, half of which were first-authored by biostatistics trainees. Their computational innovations include deep-learning fusion networks, deconvolution pipelines and novel approaches for transcriptomic network analysis—methodological advances that drive discoveries translating directly to patient care and precision medicine.

Environmental and Occupational Health

As part of her dissertation, Delmaliz Barreto-Vasquez, PhD, MS, researched factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence and vaccination intentions in children from rural communities in Suriname.

Barreto-Vasquez conducted fieldwork through the Fogarty International program, funded by the National Institutes of Health, to collect questionnaire data and blood samples from parents and children in Paramaribo, the capital city of Suriname, from October 2022 to April 2023 regarding maternal vaccination status and seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2. A manuscript describing her study is currently under review for publication.

A native of Puerto Rico, Barreto-Vasquez said she enjoyed the mix of cultures while in Suriname.

“When you do an international fellowship, it’s important to find a sense of community,” she said. “I found a walking group that explores the nearby communities and met a lot of people from different backgrounds.”

The results of her rural dissertation, she believes, will have global applications.

“The findings will better inform local public health practitioners, pediatricians and vaccine policy in future COVID-19 outbreaks,” said Barreto-Vasquez.   

Epidemiology

With its brightly colored walls and a ceiling draped with world flags, the University of Pittsburgh’s Vaccination and Health Connection Hub’s friendly atmosphere sets the stage for the University community and its neighbors to find vaccinations, health screenings and travel health services. 

The space allows students from all six Pitt Health Sciences schools to intersect and learn hands-on about how to care for their community.
For epidemiology PhD candidate Nathan Raabe, who is also a researcher in the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, the Hub represents the practical application of decades worth of scientific research from many professional backgrounds, or what he calls "translational medicine."

While Raabe spends his time studying infectious disease surveillance and outbreak prevention, he said that academic data means little if it isn't effectively communicated to the public.

"Whenever there is research on vaccine effectiveness or recommendations, for example ... how is that information actually communicated to patients? The answer is that it's not really through scientific publications," Raabe said.

"It's through places like the Hub, where people are well informed on this body of scientific evidence and can translate that work into real medicine for people," he said. 

Raabe said the interprofessional environment of the Hub strengthens the relationship between the University and the city, proving that the most effective public health strategy involves bringing together different specialties.

"The Hub acts in a way that the community and Pitt students truly get to overlap in health care," Raabe said.

Health Policy and Management

What makes this certificate unique is its focus on connecting epidemiology, policy, and practice in maternal and child health."

Theresa Chapple-McGruder

The Center for Health Equity, under the leadership of HPM Associate Professor Theresa Chapple-McGruder, PhD, MPH, will offer a 15-credit certificate in maternal and child health to prepare students to lead efforts to advance the health and equity of women, children, and families. 

"What makes this certificate unique is its focus on connecting epidemiology, policy and practice in maternal and child health," said Chapple-McGruder. "Students learn not only how to understand population health data, but also how that information informs programs and policies that support women, children and families. We created the program to help students see how these pieces work together in real-world public health systems. Ultimately, it's about preparing students to translate evidence into meaningful action."

The certificate is open to graduate and professional students interested in the topic from disciplines like public health, social work, medicine, nursing, public policy and other related fields. 

"Because maternal and child health spans many disciplines, the program is designed to bring together students interested in epidemiology, policy and practice," she said. "Anyone interested in improving health outcomes for women, children, and families is encouraged to participate."

Human Genetics

Michael Deem, PhD, and Robin Grubs, PhD, associate professors of human genetics, served as editors for The Oxford Handbook of Genetic Counseling, a comprehensive new resource for the field.

Released in October 2025, the handbook consolidates accumulated scholarship and practice spanning the history of genetic counseling, its growth within health care systems and the ethical and social questions shaping its future. It is designed not only for genetic counselors, but also for professionals in bioethics, law and philosophy who engage with genetics in their work.

“I noticed there was very little systematic investigation of the ethical issues in genetic counseling,” said Deem, who got the idea while working on another project in 2016.

Deem began collaborating with Emily Farrow, PhD, of the Children's Mercy Genomic Medicine Center in Kansas City, Mo. After moving to Pittsburgh, he connected with Grubs, who joined as a co-editor.

“Between the three of us, we had complementary expertise: philosophy and ethics, clinical genetic counseling and laboratory genetics,” said Deem. “That allowed us to build something broad and comprehensive.”

The handbook places particular emphasis on ethics. While Pitt’s program includes an ethics course, the subject is not always taught as a standalone component across programs.

“Early on, the ethics literature in genetic counseling focused heavily on autonomy,” Deem said. “The field may have been slower to take up bigger questions—like what genetic counseling is ultimately for.”

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology

The department is introducing new names for two of its Master of Public Health programs beginning in the 2026–27 academic year to better reflect the programs’ focus areas—infection prevention and One Health—and to align training with evolving career opportunities.

The Master of Public Health in Infectious Disease Management, Intervention and Community Practice (MPH-MIC) will become the Master of Public Health in Infection Prevention (MPH-IP), and the Master of Public Health in Infectious Disease Pathogenesis, Eradication and Laboratory Practice (MPH-PEL) will be renamed the Master of Public Health in Infectious Disease and One Health (MPH-ID/OH).

The changes are intended to clarify what students are already learning. “The name changes really came out of conversations about how we wanted an MPH program that better addressed One Health issues,” said Jeremy Martinson, assistant professor of infectious diseases and microbiology. “The program already did a lot of that work, but the name didn’t communicate it well.”

The updated names reflect two distinct IDM paths: MPH-IP is tailored for those aiming to implement infection prevention interventions in hospitals and clinical settings. Conversely, MPH-ID/OH focuses on One Health interventions, emphasizing how environmental and animal exposures impact human health and disease risk across broader communities.

“It’s an exciting time,” added Suresh Kuchipudi, PhD, MVSc, MBA, professor and department chair. “These updates position the program for continued growth and impact as the field of infectious diseases continues to evolve.”

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

With guidance from Renee Valenti, director of educational programs and accreditation initiatives, and Adrianna Gradisek, experiential learning specialist, Grace Osborne (BSPH ‘27) created a resource locker for students and others in need to pick up food, hygiene products and self-care items anytime.

Osborne was initially interested in supplying the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan to the school, but as she explored the idea, the conversation began to include other ways to support students’ day-to-day needs.

"We thought, why not create a place where students could take what they need without having to ask anyone?" Osborne said.
Valenti helped identify a convenient location—the ground floor of the Public Health Building in the Sustainability Room, G31—and advised on accessibility.

"We wanted it to be easy for students to access but also feel private and safe," Valenti said.

Two cabinets were stocked, one with food items like ramen, protein bars, canned goods and peanut butter, and the other with hygiene and self-care items, including feminine products, hygiene kits, blankets, scarves and small encouragement cards.

The locker operates on an honor system and is open to students, faculty and staff. Volunteers help pack kits, organize donations and maintain a welcoming space.

"This is a way for students to serve each other, not just outside organizations," Gradisek said. "It strengthens the community we are living in right now."

The resource locker welcomes contributions of nonperishable food, hygiene products, self-care items and winter essentials. Donations may be dropped off at the School of Public Health, Room 1100, or placed directly in the resource locker.

"We thought, why not create a place where students could take what they need without having to ask anyone?"

Grace Osborne