Data Justice for Pittsburgh's Black Neighborhoods honored as a partnership of distinction
Data Justice for Pittsburgh’s Black Neighborhoods was honored as a 2025 Partnership of Distinction at Pitt’s Community Engaged Scholarship Forum on March 3. The organization’s Data Justice Working Group is co-led by Tiffany Gary-Webb, professor of epidemiology and associate director of the Center for Health Equity at Pitt Public Health, and Bob Gradeck of Pitt’s University Center for Urban and Social Research.
From dual undergrad degrees to doctoral candidate
Mae Horne, doctoral student in infectious diseases and microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, conducts research in the Silva Laboratory at the Rangos Research Center at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Her work focuses on how chikungunya virus, a re-emerging mosquito-borne pathogen, attaches to and enters human cells. A central question guiding her work is why certain viral strains cause more severe disease than others.
Introducing the 2026 Community Engaged Scholarship Forum awardees
Tina Ndoh, associate dean for public health practice and associate professor of environmental and occupational health in Pitt’s School of Public Health, was honored at Pitt's Community Engaged Scholarship Forum for her deep commitment to community partnerships and meaningful collaboration rooted in trust-building, healing and a sustained commitment to equity.
8 Pitt people made the New Pittsburgh Courier 40 Under 40 list
Jason Deakings, assistant professor of behavioral and community health sciences, is one of eight University of Pittsburgh affiliates named to the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Fab 40 Under 40 list for 2026. Each year, the publication honors young African American professionals across the region.
New laboratory models reveal how Oropouche virus affects brain cells
Research conducted in the laboratory of Amy Hartman, PhD, associate professor of infectious diseases and microbiology, and published in PLoS Pathogens, sheds light on why a mosquito-borne virus has been linked to serious neurological problems during an ongoing outbreak in South and Central America.
Climate Alert: Warmer temperatures worsen kidney disease
A gradual rise in global temperatures that has intensified over the past decade is associated with a higher risk of kidney disease, according to a study published in the journal Kidney Medicine.
How biologic insights are refining severe asthma care
Environmental and Occupational Health Department Chair Sally Wenzel discusses the complexity of severe asthma management within Type 2 inflammation and the limitations of relying on a single biomarker assessment. She also differentiates childhood-onset allergic asthma from adult-onset disease, underscoring how age of onset—along with underlying biology—can inform therapeutic strategy.
Public Health faculty selected for Leadership Academy
Firoz Abdoel Wahid, MD, PhD, MPH and Jiebiao Wang, PhD, MS, have been selected to join the newest class of the Health Sciences Leadership Academy for Early Career Faculty, a yearlong professional development program designed to cultivate a generation of transformative academic leaders through shared leadership training.
Study will investigate suicide-related stressors facing Pennsylvania farmers
The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health is launching a new study—funded by the Poultry and Livestock Center of Excellence—to investigate mental health challenges facing Pennsylvania’s poultry and swine farmers, including challenges exacerbated by infectious disease outbreaks and related disruptions. The exploratory project will examine the factors contributing to depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation within this essential workforce.
Study: Air pollution in Pittsburgh region responsible for 3,500 deaths in 2019
Jim Fabisiak, associate professor of environmental and occupational health, warned that the role of pollution in children’s IQ is still an evolving corner of public health science. “There’s a lot of uncertainty when it comes to IQ in terms of the effects of air pollution,” Fabisiak said. “What’s the appropriate exposure window for the effects of pollution on IQ? Is it prenatal? Is it something in early childhood?”
Deciphering D: A mysterious influenza strain infects livestock around the world
Influenza D virus, known in shorthand as IDV or flu D, has several of the worrisome features of influenza A: It occurs around the world, infects multiple species, and is fond of reassorting. “It is demonstrating all the hallmarks of an emerging pathogen for both animals and humans,” says Suresh Kuchipudi, chair of Pitt Public Health's Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology.
Shapiro administration invests $2.2 million in research to keep Pennsylvania agriculture growing and leading the nation
Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced a $2.2 million investment in 17 research grants to help agriculture continue to grow throughout the Commonwealth to and keep pace with changing technology, climate, emerging diseases and marketplace demands. The funding includes nearly $70,000 to Pitt Public Health for its project, One Health Surveillance of Novel Cattle Flu Virus at the Animal-Human Interface.
Lasting Lessons: Taking life personally
Nancy W. Glynn is associate professor of epidemiology in the School of Public Health, director of its master’s degree programs and co-director of the Center for Aging and Population Health. “I’ve always known that showing up mattered,” says Nancy W. Glynn, associate professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health, director of its master’s degree programs and co-director of the Center for Aging and Population Health. “Showing up, you have the opportunity to have these interactions with your colleagues, talk about someone, talk about life.”
Doctoral student selected for AJPH fellowship
BCHS doctoral student Aubree McMahon has been selected to join the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) Student Think Tank Fellowship for the 2026–2027 cohort. This highly competitive program brings together a small group of graduate students from across the U.S. to serve as an advisory cohort for the journal, contributing to special calls for papers, newsletters and student engagement initiatives.