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Public Health in Action: The Pittsburgh Summer Institute

Nine Pitt Public Health students participated in the 2025 Pittsburgh Summer Institute (PSI), a long-standing partnership between the school and the Allegheny County Health Department. Now in its 14th year, PSI offers a 200-hour practicum that blends the structure of a traditional internship with hands-on workforce development. The students presented their projects at a final showcase at the school on July 23.
Headshot of a woman wearing blue sweater and blue headscarf

Only 21% of midlife women have ideal Life’s Essential 8 scores

"The menopause transition is really a turning point for cardiovascular health," says Samar R. El Khoudary, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.

Dr, Anne Newman

Searching for the keys to healthy aging

“Most people will have a period of poor health at the end of their lives no matter how long they live,” says Anne Newman, MD, MPH, distinguished professor of epidemiology, School of Public Health, and clinical director of the joint Pitt-UPMC Aging Institute. “But the goal of what we call ‘healthspan’ is to optimize health for as long as possible.”
Dr. Tiffany Gary-Webb receives equity trailblazer award from the American Diabetes Association

Tiffany Gary-Webb receives inaugural Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs Health Equity Trailblazer in Diabetes Award

The American Diabetes Association presented the inaugural Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs Health Equity Trailblazer in Diabetes Award to Epidemiology's Tiffany Gary-Webb.
Ilyas Kamboh

Pitt researchers discover distinct Alzheimer’s pathways in Down Syndrome

By analyzing genetic samples collected by the Alzheimer’s Biomarker Consortium–Down Syndrome, a team of researchers led by Ilyas Kamboh, a professor of human genetics and epidemiology at Pitt’s School of Public Health, discovered several distinct gene regions associated with adverse levels of amyloid and clumping-prone tau in the blood.
Professor of Epidemiology Samar El Khoudary

Why sleep is the single most important way to protect your health post-menopause

Samar R. El Khoudary, professor of epidemiology at Pitt's School of Public Health, encourages women to "take the reins on their heart health."
baby with measles laying down with stuffie

Alarming number of measles cases sees U.S. on course to no longer consider the disease eradicated

“This is very worrisome,” said Donald Burke, former dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and an epidemiologist. Measles cases, he said, are “going in the wrong direction.”

Alex Sundermann

We're Racing to Implement AI in Healthcare. But Who's Guiding the Way?

Alexander Sundermann, DrPH, assistant professor of epidemiology at Pitt Public Health, cautions against a full speed approach to implementing AI into clinical practice without adequate testing and oversight.
2025 Pitt Health Science Ascending Star awardees

5 Pitt health sciences faculty members received 2025 Ascending Star Awards

Sonja Swanson, associate professor of epidemiology, is one of five faculty members in Pitt's Schools of the Health Sciences to receive a 2025 Ascending Star Award. She will give a research talk on September 4 at 3:30 p.m. in Alan Magee Scaife Hall, room 3785.
Dr. Samar El Khoudary

In Good Health: Vaccines, menopause, and cardiovascular disease

Epidemiology's Samar El Khoudary discusses cardiovascular disease and the menopausal transition live on NPR's news magazine show 1A.
Dr. Tiffany Gary-Webb

Tiffany Gary-Webb channels Senegal trips into collaborative disease research

Dr. Gary-Webb's focus on African American populations in the U.S. has expanded to include the Caribbean, Jamaica and Dakar, Senegal, with recent travels and collaborations geared toward improving health outcomes for noncommunicable diseases.
Tiffany L. Gary-Webb

Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs Health Equity Trailblazers in Diabetes Award debuts

Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, PhD, MHS, professor of epidemiology, received the inaugural Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs Health Equity Trailblazers in Diabetes Award.
Maria Mori Brooks talking to student

Research funding makes advancements in women’s health possible

Professor of Epidemiology Maria Mori Brooks is the principal investigator of the SWAN coordinating center, located in Pittsburgh. She has an integral role in determining how each site collects data and how it is analyzed.
Dara Mendez

Intersections: Local laws aid black moms

Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Associate Director of the Center for Health Equity, Dara D. Méndez joins KDKA to discuss local efforts to help black moms give healthy births.
Akira Sekikawa

COPD in Japan vs. the US: Comparing Prevalence and Mortality Rates

Despite historically higher smoking rates, Japan has significantly lower COPD prevalence and mortality than the U.S.—a paradox that may be explained by elements of the Japanese diet and public health practices, as discussed by Akira Sekikawa, professor of epidemiology.