News

Student Evan Trump on the Appalachian Trail

Firm Footing

Thanks to the Guaranteed Admission Program, Pitt student Evan Trump had the freedom to explore—ultimately shifting from biology to biostatistics and health data science. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he took that spirit of discovery even further, hiking the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
Award winners Hritika Basu and Milo Rent

Public Health Science Academy Students Shine

Sixteen rising juniors and seniors from area high schools presented their research during a special closing event for the Public Health Science Academy July 18 at the School of Public Health.
Two PHSA students receive the Justin Reid Ehrenwerth Emerging Scholar Award

Pitt Public Health established a new award, funded through the Jewish Healthcare Foundation

The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health is using a $15,000 grant through the Jewish Healthcare Foundation to establish the Justin Reid Ehrenwerth Emerging Scholar Award. The award will go to high school students from under-resourced schools in the Pittsburgh area, allowing them to attend the school's Public Health Science Academy.
Pitt Public Health Dean Maureen Lichtveld and donors Lee and Isabel Foster standing on  a beach.

Donors study alongside students

The Fosters, longtime fixtures in Pittsburgh business and philanthropy, joined the 2025 class for “Public Health Threats in Suriname: From Ecosystem to Human Health,” meeting with public health and other government officials and observing ecological and economic threats to the country on the northeast coast of South America.
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.
Iulia Vann

Pitt Public Health leaders unite to drive community-focused innovation

The School of Public Health convened its Board of Visitors on June 18, marking a pivotal moment as the school also invited its new Partner Advisory Board to join the all-day virtual meeting.
ticks

Pitt researchers want farmers' input for Asian longhorned tick study

“We’re really trying to work with livestock producers to help safeguard their herd health and productivity, and work to support Pennsylvania’s agricultural infrastructure,” said Danielle Tufts, assistant professor at Pitt’s School of Public Health and researcher of the study.
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."
Top part of image: Two rows of Pitt employees standing and smiling while being recognized for their years of service during a ceremony. Bottom image is two women presenting a capstone project on organizational impact.

Dean's Office staff shines

Highlighting some of our amazing staff! We're celebrating Jess Sikora and fellow staff members for their years of service, spotlighting Jen Palaski’s participation in the Emerging Leaders @ Pitt pilot program and welcoming the newest Staff Council officers.
PA One Health Consortium

Consortium Connections: One Health in the spotlight

Representatives from across the Commonwealth recently took part in the first annual meeting of the Pennsylvania One Health Consortium, a coalition of experts focused on improving health and well-being for all Pennsylvanians.
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.”

Photographer Nathan Valez - picture of train derailment explosion; huge fires and massive black smoke

Pitt researchers say residents will get results of tests for vinyl chloride and liver damage, refer people for treatment if needed

"We said unequivocally that every community member will get all their information personally," said Maureen Lichtveld, dean of Pitt's School of Public Health. "So if we see early warning signs, we will refer them to a specialist. We will also provide more overarching results."

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.
Danielle Tufts

Ticky business: How Pitt researchers track the 8-legged bloodsuckers

When Pitt Public Health professor Danielle Tufts and her team of students go out, they bring just a few things: A white jumpsuit, a pair of tweezers, some tiny vials to store specimens and a meter-long piece of white corduroy.