Allison co-chairs NIH grant session
At the annual meeting of the International Society of Exposure Science and the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, researchers, public health leaders and community advocates gathered for a session titled “Joining Forces in the Face of Disaster: How Five Universities Address Exposure and Health Concerns Resulting from the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment.”
Maureen Lichtveld to talk about global health landscape for CIF
Dean Lichtveld speaks on “Lessons from COVID, the Imminent Avian Bird Flu Threat, and the Certainty of Future Pandemics,” at the Chautauqua Insitute. Her talk provides a candid assessment of the global health landscape. She examines "what went wrong, what went right, and what we must do now to protect public health, strengthen resilience and navigate the challenges ahead.”
New Pitt classes and programs launch in fall 2025
Pitt Public Health is offering new courses for fall 2025, including a Disaster Preparedness Certificate and a course in AI in Health Data Science, as well as training opportunities through the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health.
CSI: Infection Control
Through 15 seasons and four spinoff shows, the intrepid investigators of television’s CSI franchise solved crimes with forensic science. Alexander Sundermann (DrPH, EPI ’22, MPH, IDM ’14) assistant professor of epidemiology, is investigating health care-associated infections with the same zeal to stop dangerous pathogens in their tracks—before they spread.
Vaginal estrogen tablets not linked with increased recurrent stroke risk
“As an epidemiologist, I see this study as a valuable contribution because it focuses on a population often excluded from hormone therapy research, midlife women with a prior stroke, and examines an increasingly used route of administration: vaginal tablets," said Samar R. El Khoudary, PhD, professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.
Holistic advising approach enters new phase
The School of Public Health was one of four Pitt schools and colleges included in the first phase of a new holistic advising approach guided by a shared-advising model that the University debuted last year.
Healthy grieving online: Finding comfort, support, and meaning in the digital age
"Grief is an ongoing process," reflects BCHS Assistant Professor Beth Hoffman on the passing of her only sibling, Emily. "It doesn’t move forward in a straight line. People tell you the first year without your loved one is the hardest. But in my case, years 2 and 3 have been more difficult.”
Military honors Pitt researchers for work on cold-stored platelets in trauma
Epidemiology Data Center's Stephen Wisniewski was part of a team of Pitt researchers who received an award for outstanding research at the 2025 Military Health System Research Symposium in Kissimmee, Florida, on Aug. 4. The team was honored for their work on the Linking Investigations in Trauma and Emergency Services (LITES) Network.
BSPH student voices, podcasted
In a recent assignment for the School of Public Health’s “Community-Based Approaches to Public Health” course, a group of undergraduate students tackled the Black maternal mortality crisis—not with a paper or a slide deck, but with a podcast. They opened with music and an engaging welcome, followed by a data-backed discussion of structural racism and community-based interventions, such as the use of doulas. Their delivery was confident, terminology thoughtful—and passion, well, audible.
Early lead exposure could result in memory issues later in life
“Heavy metals, which include lead as well as mercury, are not good for your body or your brain, even at low-level exposure," said BCHS Professor Steve Albert, commenting on studies presented at the recent Alzheimer’s Association International Conference highlighting potential links between lead exposure and cognitive problems. “There are many environmental pollutants, airborne toxins, that have been associated with cognitive performance,” he added.
Global classroom, local impact
Abi Fapohunda, DrPH, MPH, MS, assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, recently helped lead a two-year transnational collaboration, supported by Pitt’s Global Studies Center, called Global TEACH. The project involved faculty and staff from Pitt’s central and Johnstown campuses and the Center for African Studies, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, Babcock University in Ileshan-Remo, Nigeria, and the Lakeshore Cancer Center.
Pitt Public Health staff shine
Pitt Public Health recently presented the inaugural Staff Awards, honoring exceptional effort and dedication through teamwork, leadership, innovation and contribution to school, University and community culture. The awards were presented on August 5 at the annual Staff Recognition Picnic, preceded this year by a ceremony that also recognized staff who reached milestone service anniversaries in the last fiscal year. The event also celebrated the hard work of the entirety of the school’s staff.
5 of the top Yinzer-approved moments from HBO Max hit ‘The Pitt’
HBO Max recently renewed its breakout hit “The Pitt” for a second season. Based in Pittsburgh and led by veteran actor Noah Wyle (who recently visited Pitt’s School of Public Health), the drama follows the emergency department staff of a city hospital through a particularly harrowing shift.
Kuchipudi receives Fulbright Specialist award
School of Public Health researcher Suresh Kuchipudi, PhD, MVSc, MBA, will lead a One Health-based research and education program at the Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this September.