Dr. Neil Mehta shared his vision for advancing epidemiology at UTMB, emphasizing faculty mentorship, cardiovascular mortality trends, and collaborative research at the April Department of Epidemiology seminar.
After starting out as a pharmacy technician, Ebube Nwabuko, MPH, found her niche in pharmacoepidemiology. From navigating drug shortages to exploring prescription trends, she’s now using public health research to reimagine pharmaceutical systems—and shape a more just future.
Ejike Nwabueze, PhD, MS, MS, merges microbiology, epidemiology, and biostatistics to drive data-informed public health solutions. At UTMB, he built an R package to simplify NHANES analysis—saving researchers hours of work in just one line of code.
UTMB researchers across three schools are studying how Medicare Annual Wellness Visits may enable earlier dementia diagnoses. Their findings show potential to catch cognitive decline sooner, reduce disparities, and improve patient care and outcomes.
Biostatistics MPH alumna Ella Tamayo turned her love of numbers into public health impact—revealing surprising county-level links between food insecurity and child mortality, advancing antimicrobial stewardship in Texas, and championing creative, equity-driven data solutions.
UTMB researchers propose “attentiveness” as a framework to ethically include community partners in qualitative data analysis, challenging norms in public health research and shifting the power dynamic between academics and communities.
Allie Murphy, MPH candidate at SPPH, has received a Fulbright Award to evaluate El Salvador’s national teen pregnancy prevention strategy. Her eight-month project will shape future health programs in the region and inform reproductive health efforts across Texas.
Peyton Swanson, PhD student in bioethics, earned an NSF GRFP Honorable Mention for research on how rural communities engage with biomedical innovation—challenging assumptions about access, technology, and knowledge in public health.
Emily Huynh, MPH, transitioned from psychology to public health, leveraging her analytical strengths to combat infectious diseases. At UTMB, she combined biostatistics with real-world applications, including vaccine data analysis and public health communication.
Nicholas Quansah’s journey from Ghana’s clinical labs to global health research brought him to UTMB’s MPH program. Now, with a Lancet publication and a focus on antimicrobial resistance, he’s combining hands-on expertise with systems thinking to confront a growing global threat.
As Trinity Brigham graduates with her MPH from UTMB SPPH, she reflects on how her public health education reshaped her perspective—and how it will guide her future as a physician. Up next: medical school at the University of Colorado and continued research in epidemiology.
Dr. Johnna Wellesley, recent PhD graduate from UTMB’s Institute for Bioethics & Health Humanities, examines how shame and stigma are produced in medicalized death—and why "endings matter" for patients, families, and clinicians. Her next step: a postdoc in clinical ethics at Cornell.
From paramedic to physician, Chris Connolly's path to earning his MD/MPH at UTMB wasn’t a straight line—but it shaped the emergency doctor he's become. As he begins residency in Austin, he reflects on the road that led him here, the power of public health, and what's next.
UTMB has launched the Center for Health and Clinical Outcomes Research (H-COR), a new university-wide initiative that bridges clinical and academic research to drive data-informed solutions that improve care, population health, and the next generation of outcomes research.
SPPH students Faith Adjei-Sarpong and Alexandra Holland have been selected for the prestigious Archer Fellowship, where they’ll spend the summer in Washington, D.C., applying their public health expertise to national policy and advocacy work on sickle cell disease and climate-related health.
Dr. Alan Villarreal Rizzo (UTMB ’24) led a new study showing arthritis is linked to greater hospitalization risk in older adults in Mexico. With guidance from SPPH faculty, this research showcases UTMB’s cross-campus mentorship and the real-world impact of student-driven inquiry.
UTMB faculty Drs. Sarah Siddiqui and Hani Serag have evolved a Health Systems Science course that combines community service, student feedback, and real-world public health training—now featured in BMC Medical Education.
At the 2025 “I Am Woman; I Am Life” PrEP/PEP Summit, Dr. Mandy Hill, Chair of Population Health and Health Disparities at UTMB SPPH, joined experts to discuss stigma-free prevention and was honored for her leadership in HIV prevention.
UTMB’s Dr. Jeff Farroni has received the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for his work supporting correctional healthcare professionals facing moral distress and burnout—transforming a grassroots pandemic effort into a statewide wellness program for healthcare heroes.
UTMB SPPH recently hosted the National Council on Aging for their first site visit under a federal grant supporting evidence-based chronic disease programs. The visit spotlighted strong community partnerships, student engagement, and meaningful health outcomes for older adults.