Scarletter
September 2021
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Keeping the 'Public' in Public Health |
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The University, with the help of many of you, has been a national leader in its approach to safely repopulating college campuses. Your collective hard work has contributed to our ability to undertake our robust teaching, research, and community engagement programs once again in person. The vast achievements we have made remotely are incredibly notable; however, the way forward is dependent on the personal interactions that begin in our classrooms, offices, and common spaces.
As public health leaders, we understand that there are still many challenges ahead of us. We must continue to remain committed to the health and safety of those around us and model sound practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
I also remind you of President Jonathan Holloway’s message, where he put it best: “As we return to a more normal mode of work, remember that this is a new normal, with new expectations. If you are sick or displaying symptoms of illness, please stay home… These common-sense steps will be increasingly important as we repopulate Rutgers and prepare to coexist with the coronavirus safely and smartly in the weeks and months to come.”
Sincerely,
Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH (He/Him/His)
Dean
Professor of Biostatistics and Urban-Global Public Health
Director, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS)
Rutgers School of Public Health
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Featured Research & Reports |
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An approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions that is informed by the ethical theory of utilitarianism would lead to better outcomes for human development, equity, and the climate, according to a new study co-authored by Mark Budolfson, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice. Learn More
People who have had severe or long-lasting cases of COVID-19 are more likely to have high levels of an important antibody needed to fight against future infection, according to a study co-authored by Rutgers School of Public Health faculty, staff, and alumni who include Emily Barrett, Jason Roy, Tracy Andrews, Patricia Greenberg, and Veenat Parmar. Learn More
According to Jaya Satagopan, professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and associate dean for faculty affairs, statistics doesn't have to be daunting if it's communicated using data that are part of our daily lives. Learn More
High school students who participated in summer programs about public health increased their interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), according to a study co-authored by Laura Liang, assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy and associate dean for academic affairs; Marian Passannante, professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and associate dean for educational program development and global programs; and Alexandra Zivkovic, a Rutgers School of Public Health alum. Learn More
Black and Latinx people intensely sought information on COVID-19 and engaged in public health measures such as mask-wearing and testing due to devastating experiences during the pandemic but are still skeptical about vaccines, according to a study co-authored by Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology faculty, Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, assistant professor, and Emily Barrett, associate professor. Learn More
*This section highlights select research and reports from the Rutgers School of Public Health. This is not a complete list.
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Wei Vivian Li, assistant professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, has received a National Institute of General Medical Sciences Maximizing Investigators' Research Award to develop novel statistical methods and bioinformatics software to further analyze RNA sequencing data at the single-cell level.
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Paul Duberstein, professor and chair of the Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, has received a New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research grant to evaluate the impact of a communication intervention that seeks to improve the care of patients with advanced cancer.
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Stephanie Shiau, assistant professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, has received a Career Development Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health, to study the implications of opioid prescription use among older adults living with HIV.
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Shauna Downs, assistant professor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health, has received a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development to study behavior change communication strategies to improve infant and young child nutrition in Senegal.
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Perry N. Halkitis, professor dean, and Kristen D. Krause, instructor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health, have received a grant from the Merck & Co. Investigator Studies Program to examine COVID-19 and HPV vaccine uptake in sexual and gender minority populations living in New Jersey.
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*This section highlights select awards received by
Rutgers School of Public Health faculty. This is not a complete list.
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The Effects of Implementing Polestar Pilates on Racial and Socioeconomically Diverse Public High Schools in New Jersey
Devin English (Dept. Urban-Global Public Health)
Frederick Curry (Mason Gross School of Arts; Dance)
Addressing HIV-related Stigma through Photovoice
Ashley Grosso (Dept. of Urban-Global Public Health)
Jacqueline Thaw (Mason Gross School of Arts; Art & Design)
HIV/AIDS and Survivorship: Developing Positive Health Outcomes and Resilience through an Embodied Oral History Workshop and Performance
Kristen Krause (Dept. of Urban-Global Public Health) and Stephanie Shiau (Dept. Biostatistics & Epidemiology)
Jeff Friedman (Mason Gross School of Arts; Dance),
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National Suicide Awareness Month |
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As a national leader in researching the causes, consequences, and solutions to gun-related violence, the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) has dedicated this month to increase awareness about national firearm suicide prevention. With September being Suicide Prevention Month, the GVRC believes that we all have a responsibility to help prevent firearm suicide. From creating awareness about suicide risk factors to prevention methods and at home safety methods, the GVRC is leading the conversation on this critical issue. Michael Anestis, executive director of the Center and associate professor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health, shares how he is working to reduce gun violence suicides and how to reduce the risk of gun related suicide.
On September 20, 2021, at 12:30 EST, join the dialogue by participating in a GVRC Twitter Chat on Firearm Suicide Prevention Among Black Men with featured panelist: U.S. Representative Bonnie Coleman Watson, Newark Community Street Team director Aqueela Sherrills, and Clinical Psychology doctoral student and researcher Jasmin Brooks. To learn more about the event and Twitter Chat hosts, click here.
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Julia Chen-Sankey, PhD, MPP
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy
Core Resident
Center for Tobacco Studies
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Philip Demokritou, PhD
Henry Rutgers Chair
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice
Resident Faculty
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute
Director of the Division of Exposure Science and Epidemiology
Rutgers University
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Gwyneth M. Eliasson, JD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy
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Liangyuan Hu, PhD, MSc
Associate Professor
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
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Kristen D. Krause, PhD, MPH
Instructor
Department of Urban-Global Public Health
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Hao Liu, PhD
Professor
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Director of Biostatistics Shared Resource
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
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Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
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Fatima Abdi
Research Analyst
Office of Research
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Angelique (Angie) Hernandez
Academic Support Counselor
Office of Student Support Services
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LaTanya Brown
Program Coordinator
Office of Practice
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Kendra Julien
Program Coordinator
Center for Public Health Workforce Development
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Naomi Cruz
Naomi arrives on the Banks as a first-year PhD student in health systems and policy. Her research interests include understanding the intersection between child health, maternal health, and mental health, with a particular focus on health policy, as well as examining how hospital systems can be restructured to address social determinants of health and accommodate the needs of children, mothers, and people living with mental disorders. Prior to Rutgers, Naomi earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and public health from Columbia University.
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Shiwei Fu, MS
Shiwei, a trained statistician from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is entering his first year of PhD coursework, with a concentration in biostatistics. His research interests broadly include statistical genomics, genetics, bioinformatics, and applied statistical methods.
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Katherine Lubina, MS
Kate arrives at Rutgers from journeying across the country. A first-year PhD student in epidemiology, she previously earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with a minor in Spanish and a master’s degree in global medicine from the University of Southern California. Kate has worked in experiential and global health education, primarily in the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Her research interests include occupational health and environmental exposures and she is currently working with the Firefighter Cancer Assessment and Prevention Study to understand the unique health risks and exposures facing volunteer firefighters.
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Saurabh Kalra, MPP
Saurabh is a first-year PhD student in health systems and policy. His research interests include overutilization in health care, long-term and end-of-life care, aging, built-environment, and decision-making. Prior to attending the Rutgers School of Public Health, Saurabh earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and international studies from the Ohio State University and a master’s in environmental science and policy from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
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“Most folks who die by suicide using a firearm have owned that firearm for a decade or more and were not identified ahead of time as being at high risk for suicide,” states Mike Anestis, executive director of the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and associate professor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health, when discussing protocols that can be taken to reduce gun suicide deaths. Read New Jersey 101.5
Why is a third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine needed for people who are severely immunocompromised?Research has suggested that people who are severely immunocompromised, like those who have had organ transplants, don't have a strong immune response to the standard recommended two doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. “Historical data with other vaccines identifies many people who are immunocompromised who do not respond well to vaccines," says Stanley Weiss, secondary faculty in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. "The expectation was that they might not respond well to the COVID vaccine, and the data that is evolving demonstrates that concern is correct." Read Health
Improving the accessibility of COVID-19 diagnostics and testing is not possible without direct and empathetic community involvement shares Perry N. Halkitis, dean. “We have to bring healthcare to people,” Halkitis stressed. “We can’t expect people to come to healthcare.” Read Contagion Live
“Trustworthiness, expertise and accessibility are important communications principles that may help influence New Jerseyans to get their shot,” states Leslie Kantor, professor and chair of the Department of Urban-Global Public Health, when discussing her latest work to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates. Read Rutgers Today
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Upcoming Events
Attend one of the Rutgers School fo Public Health's virtual information sessions to learn more about what the School has to offer! Not able to attend the events listed below? Check out our admissions events webpage to see a full calendar of all upcoming events.
Tuesday, October 5: Open House; 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Speak to department faculty to learn about curriculum and outcomes for our degree programs.
Saturday, October 23: Virtual Information Session; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Hear from the Office of Admissions about the application process and ways to strengthen your application!
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Upcoming Application Deadlines
- Spring 2022 MPH and MS Priority Deadline: October 15, 2021
- Fall 2022 Doctoral (PhD and DrPH) Final Deadline: December 1, 2021
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Image Credit: Claire Brown |
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All month long, the Office of Career Services and the Office of Student Support Services will be hosting employer information sessions and skills-based workshops to help expand the scope of academic, professional, and social opportunities available to Rutgers School of Public Health students! Skills-based workshops will provide training on maximizing the student experience and cultivating career wellness and preparation. Employer info sessions with the PHI/CDC Global Health Fellows Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Merck, and more are open to all interested students and alumni.
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Seeking Nominations: The 21Phirst Signature Seminar Series |
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Nominate speakers for this year’s 21PHirst Signature Seminar Series (remote)! The theme of this year’s series is Racism is a Public Health Crisis: A Call to Action.
Racism hurts the health of populations by depriving people of the opportunity to attain their highest level of health. It is the fundamental cause of health disparities that are inextricably tied with poverty, inadequate housing, under-resourced and thus, underperforming schools, police brutality, mass incarceration, food deserts, food swamps, unemployment or underemployment, wage disparity, stress, poor access to health care, and violence, all of which are substantial barriers to health equity. Through your nominations, this year’s 21PHirst Signature Series will highlight leading innovators and change agents dedicated to addressing this public health crisis.
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Image Credit: Adobe Stock Photos |
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Check out the Rutgers School of Public Health's event calendar to learn about and/or join various events hosted, co-hosted, or supported by the School. |
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Rutgers School of Public Health |
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683 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, NJ 08854
732-235-9700
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One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 1020
Newark, NJ 07102
973-972-7212
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