Epidemiology News

A nurse takes a sample from a child who potentially has mpox.

Mpox outbreak in Africa was neglected – it could now turn into the next global pandemic

Associate Professor of Epidemiology Jean Nachega discusses how the Mpox outbreak in Africa has been neglected, despite its potential to escalate into a global pandemic.
wrist fracture

Women's fracture rates, risk vary by race, ethnicity

"This study is the first to provide novel fracture incidence data in many racial, ethnic, and origin groups that have been understudied in the U.S. and highlights the need to understand the factors that underlie these differences," lead author Jane Cauley.
mpox particles

This mpox outbreak isn't like the last one

“The 2022 global outbreak was clade 2, and mortality was less than 1 percent,” says Jean Nachega, associate professor of epidemiology. “Now we’re talking about a strain which can have up to 10 percent mortality.”
Dara D. Méndez, PhD, MPH, Hyagriv Simhan, MD, MS and  Mehret Birru Talabi, MD, PhD

Pitt named Maternal Health Research Center of excellence

NIH grant covers $13 million over six years
Leah Gruss is seen above setting mosquito traps as part of her work with the Pittsburgh Summer Institute.

Learning by doing

Students thrive at Pittsburgh Summer Institute.
Alexander Sundermann

Dr. Alexander Sundermann joins Next Gen Diagnostics as its Director of Infection Prevention Services

Next Gen Diagnostics announces that Alexander Sundermann, assistant professor of epidemiology, has joined NGD as its Director of Infection Prevention Services.
Julie Bonnett, Photo Credit: Ashley Hoffman

When it comes to menopause, 'it's not all in your head,' and Pittsburgh-based research is proving it

Samar El Khoudary, a professor of epidemiology, researches cardiovascular disease in midlife women, and how menopause may contribute.
Plastic water bottles. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Plastics are everywhere and pose a real threat to our health

Jennifer Adibi, assistant professor of epidemiology said, “So, these chemicals are not bound within the product to something that would make it inert or unable to move out of the product.”
Seyoung Kim and Alexander J. Sundermann

Department of Epidemiology welcomes two new faculty

The Department of Epidemiology  is pleased to announce the faculty appointments of Seyoung Kim, PhD, as visiting associate professor and Alexander J. Sundermann, DrPH, MPH, as visiting assistant professor.
Mary Tranchine and Kim Beringer (second row, first and second from the left, respectively.)

After 40 years, these Pitt employees have seen plenty of change

Congratulations to Department of Epidemiology's Kim Beringer and Mary Tranchine for 40 years at the University of Pittsburgh!
Older women walking. Photo credit: Getty Images

Older women's health is woefully understudied

Jane Cauley, a distinguished professor of epidemiology , wants more data about the condition among older Black, Asian and Hispanic women, who are undertreated. She also wants better drugs with fewer side effects.
Photo credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Record-breaking rise in deadly infections in Japan renews focus on the mysteries of strep

“When a patient comes in with group A strep in the blood, unless they have a wound, you often don’t know how it got into the body,” said Lee Harrison, professor of epidemiology and infectious diseases and microbiology.
(LEFT TO RIGHT) TINA NDOH, SALLY WENZEL, TIFFANY GARY-WEBB, JEANINE BUCHANICH, AND DARA MENDEZ,

Advocates listen and learn, celebrate and plan at first Environmental Justice Summit

May 9-11 was Pittsburgh’s first Environmental Justice Summit with the theme Reflections, Connections, and Collaborative Action.
Epi alum Kruthika Doreswamy

Alum Kruthika Doreswamy (EPI '22) receives Fulbright

Kruthika Doreswamy (EPI '22) is one of 13 Pitt students and alumni to be named award recipients by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Amy Hartman and Dara Méndez

Dara Méndez and Amy Hartman selected as Health Sciences Ascending Star Awardees

Congratulations to Dara Méndez, associate director of the center for health equity and associate professor of epidemiology and Amy Hartman, associate professor of infectious diseases and microbiology, on receiving 2024 Ascending Star Awards.