Epidemiology Represents at CHARGE

The Department of Epidemiology had a strong presence at the CHARGE (Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology) Investigator meeting, held from December 2 to 4 in Durham, North Carolina. Professor Kari North, PhD, co-hosted the meeting alongside Laura Raffield, PhD, and Nora Franceschini, MD, MPH, of UNC–Chapel Hill.

Department Chair and Professor Alanna Morrison, PhD, delivered the State of CHARGE address during the event.

The CHARGE Consortium honored outstanding contributions with its prestigious Tiger Awards, and two members of the Department of Epidemiology received top distinctions:

• Chloé Sarnowski, PhD, earned the Early Career Achievement Award.
• Bing Yu, PhD, was recognized for Consortium Leadership.

Reflecting on her achievement, Sarnowski shared:

"I am incredibly grateful to receive this award and for the opportunities that the CHARGE consortium provides to early-career investigators. The CHARGE consortium model enables students and early-career investigators to lead large collaborative projects, expand their network, promote their work, and develop successful collaborations, all of which are essential and critical to help build their own research program and transition into independent researchers."

Offering her perspective on leadership and collaboration, Yu added:

 "I am honored to receive the Leadership Award from CHARGE. The CHARGE consortium provides an incredible infrastructure for collaborative work, and I've been fortunate to help organize our working group activities over the past several years. I'm grateful for this recognition and proud of the partnerships we've built—and the future we will continue to shape together."

Assistant Professor Chloé Sarnowski, PhD, and doctoral student Yura Lee, MS, presented during the Poster Blitz session. Sarnowski and doctoral student Mengyu Zhang, MS, also gave invited talks in the Multi-omics and Data Science Methods Workshop. Postdoctoral fellows Shinhye Chung, PhD, and Natalie Hasbani, PhD, presented in the Polygenic Risk Score Working Group. Lee additionally gave a talk in the Proteomics Working Group.

The department was also represented by a distinguished group of faculty and trainees, including Professors Myriam Fornage, PhD; Susan Fisher-Hoch, MD; and Joseph McCormick, MD. Associate Professors included Paul de Vries, PhD, and Kristin Young, PhD, as well as Assistant Professor Heather Highland, PhD. Faculty Associate Megan Grove, MS, also attended.

Statisticians Michael Brown, PhD; Adam Heath, PhD; Taryn Alkis, MS; and Ngoc Quynh Nguyen, MS, contributed their expertise. Trainees included postdoctoral fellows Natalie Hasbani, PhD, Julie Hahn, PhD, and Shinhye Chung, PhD, as well as doctoral students Alyssa Johnston, MPH, and Yujie Wang, MS.

The department's strong presence at the CHARGE Consortium Investigator meeting reflects its ongoing commitment to collaborative research and its reputation as a global leader in genomic and molecular research.

EPIDEMIOLOGY FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Futbolito for All Brings Soccer and Health

to Galena Park Students

UTHealth Houston’s Futbolito for All program, led by Assistant Professor Andrea Ramirez Varela, MD, is partnering with Houston Dynamo and Dash Charities to make physical activity enjoyable and accessible for elementary and middle school students in Galena Park.

With fewer than 25% of U.S. children meeting physical activity guidelines, this initiative uses soccer—the most popular sport among Latino youth—as a culturally relevant way to promote movement and health. Unlike traditional competitive programs, Futbolito for All focuses on inclusion, joy, and sustainability. Sessions emphasize fun and participation over scores, helping every child experience the benefits of physical activity, including improved motor skills, cognitive development, and enhanced mental and social health.

You can read more about the program here.

How Sleep and Genes Shape Cholesterol

Sleep matters for heart health, a new study shows why. Published in Atherosclerosis (2026), researchers investigated how sleep duration interacts with genes to influence blood cholesterol and fat levels. Using data from over 732,000 individuals, they identified 17 new genetic regions associated with lipid changes in individuals who sleep too little or too much. These genes affect triglycerides, LDL, and HDL cholesterol. Some are already targets for existing heart medications, which means this research could help improve treatments for people with sleep problems. The study also found that short and long sleep affect the body in different ways and may involve the vitamin D pathway. These insights open doors to personalized medicine and new strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.

UTHealth Houston contributors include Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, Dean of the School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology; Alanna Morrison, PhD, Chair and Professor; Joseph McCormick, MD, Professor; Susan Fisher-Hoch, MD, Professor; Kari North, PhD, Professor; Kirstin Young, PhD, Associate Professor; Han Chen, PhD, Associate Professor; Paul de Vries, PhD, Associate Professor; Myriam Fornage, PhD, Professor; and James Hixson, PhD, Professor, and Michael Brown, MS, statistican, at the School of Public Health.

Researchers Unveil Temperature-Controlled CRISPR for Pest Control

Researchers at the UTHealth School of Public Health have published a groundbreaking study in Nature Communications introducing a temperature-sensitive CRISPR-Cas12a system for the sterile insect technique. This innovative platform can induce male sterility and female lethality by simply adjusting rearing temperatures, offering a safer and more efficient approach to genetic pest control.

The tool expands options for sustainable pest management by reducing environmental risks linked to traditional methods. Lead author Victor Lopez del Amo, PhD, Assistant Professor, notes that this advance adds “flexibility and precision” to sterile insect technologies, paving the way for practical solutions to global agricultural and public health challenges.

New Publication Highlights Impact of Non-Medical Drivers of Health

A new publication in the American Journal of Medical Sciences highlights the impact of non-medical drivers of health.

Center for Health Equity researchers Jemima John, PhD, Assistant Professor, and Shreela Sharma, PhD, Professor, co-authored a study examining how cumulative social and housing-related needs affect hospital utilization. The findings show that individuals with multiple unmet needs had significantly higher odds of frequent emergency department visits and extended hospital stays.

The study concludes that having four or more social and economic conditions was strongly associated with poor hospital-related outcomes, indicating the need for a strong response and targeted interventions to address non-medical drivers of health.

New Review Shows Why Teens Face More Barriers to Staying Active

A new global review co-authored by Augusto César Ferreira De Moraes, PhD, Assistant Professor, analyzed 16 studies on what helps or hinders kids and teens from being physically active. Researchers found that approximately one in four children encounter barriers to activity, but most also have strong motivators.

For adolescents, nearly one in three face obstacles, and fewer report having supportive factors. Teens struggle more than younger kids to stay active, highlighting the need for age-specific strategies to reduce barriers and boost opportunities for movement.

This study was published in Preventive Medicine Reports in October 2025.

Food is Medicine in Texas: A Comprehensive Statewide Landscape Scan

Researchers at the Center for Health Equity, led by Naomi Tice, Project Manager and lead researcher, conducted a comprehensive statewide landscape scan of Food is Medicine programs across Texas. The project explored existing initiatives that integrate food-based interventions into healthcare, identified priority areas, and highlighted opportunities to expand access to medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions. These findings aim to inform policy and program development, ultimately improving nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Additional collaborators on the research team from UTHealth Houston include Wes Gibson, MPH; Angelina Johnson, MPH; Christopher Reyes, MPA, MPH, Deepali Ernest, PhD, MPH; Oguchukwu (Ruth) Abasilim, MPH; Milan Jaiswal, MD; Niharika Sawant; Ruth Emmon Tyson, MPH; and Mengxi Wang, PhD, MS and Jing Xie, MPH from The Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials.

You can read more about the Food Is Medicine Scan here.

Epidemiology Leadership Tours New SPH Building

The new UTHealth Houston School of Public Health building is nearing completion and is expected to open soon. The modern facility will feature advanced classrooms, collaborative research spaces, and areas designed to support community engagement and interdisciplinary work.

Recently, Epidemiology Professor and Department Chair Alanna Morrison, PhD, along with Epidemiology Administrator Barbara Wooten, toured the nearly completed School of Public Health building, which is on track to open soon! Their visit highlighted the building’s innovative design and commitment to creating an environment that fosters learning and research excellence.

You can learn more about the new facility here.

Epidemiology faculty, staff, and students joined the community in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, standing in solidarity with families and advocates working toward a world without Alzheimer’s. It was a meaningful day of connection, awareness, and hope.

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT NEWS

Manali Desai, PhD: Advancing Cancer Prevention Through Epidemiology^

Manali Desai, MBBS, MPH, recently earned her PhD in Epidemiology from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, marking a milestone in a career dedicated to advancing population health. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Manali's interest in public health began early. A high school visit to an industrial water harvesting system sparked her curiosity about how large-scale interventions can improve community well-being. This interest deepened during her medical school studies, where she explored preventive medicine and witnessed firsthand the impact of public health programs in both rural and urban communities.

Her experiences ranged from tuberculosis screenings in urban slums to observing maternal and child health outreach in rural areas. These encounters revealed the critical role of public health systems and inspired her to look beyond individual patient care toward addressing health disparities at the population level. "Epidemiology allows me to blend scientific inquiry with meaningful health impact," she explains.

After completing her MBBS and practicing as a medical officer in India, Manali pursued an MPH in Epidemiology at Texas A&M University in 2019. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during her MPH studies reinforced her commitment to public health and data-driven solutions. In 2021, she began her doctoral program at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, drawn by the university's strong reputation in cancer prevention research and its location in the world's largest medical center.

Throughout her doctoral journey, Manali focused on HPV vaccination practices among healthcare providers in Texas, collaborating with UT MD Anderson Cancer Center under the guidance of Professor Sanjay Shete, PhD. Her research explored provider awareness, barriers, and communication challenges related to HPV vaccination, aiming to inform strategies that increase vaccine uptake and reduce cancer disparities. She also served as a teaching assistant for Epidemiology Assistant Professor Chloé Sarnowski, PhD, in the course "Quantitative Analysis for Public Health Research and Practice," which strengthened her analytical skills and fueled her confidence in applying advanced statistical methods to real-world problems.

Manali credits her advisor, Epidemiology Professor Shreela Sharma, PhD, for invaluable guidance throughout her doctoral training. “Our evaluation meetings were especially helpful, where she consistently encouraged me to think critically, refine my ideas, and explore new research directions,” Manali says. Sharma’s support played a significant role in her academic and professional growth. Additionally, Epidemiology Professor Charles Darkoh, PhD, and Biostatistics Professor Wenyaw Chan, PhD, served on her dissertation committee, offering insightful comments that strengthened her research.

Looking ahead, Manali plans to build a career in cancer prevention research, with an emphasis on HPV-related cancers and vaccine-preventable diseases. She hopes to lead independent projects that bridge clinical practice and public health, translating epidemiologic findings into actionable strategies for improving cancer prevention programs. "My goal is to develop interventions that strengthen provider-patient communication and address barriers among underserved populations," she says.

Manali's journey reflects a deep commitment to evidence-based solutions and health equity that began in Mumbai and continues to shape her work in Houston and beyond.

CID Lecture Highlights: Microbiome

and Genomics Research

The Center for Infectious Diseases recently hosted an engaging lecture featuring cutting-edge research in microbiome and genomics from two rising scholars in epidemiology: Hossaena Ayele, MSc, an epidemiology doctoral student, and Jesus Duran Ramirez, MPH, an Epidemiology MPH graduate and current doctoral student at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Their presentations offered fresh insights into the role of microbiome and genomic data in advancing infectious disease research and public health strategies. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about innovative approaches shaping the future of epidemiology.

Thank you to our speakers for sharing your expertise and inspiring discussion!

EPIDEMIOLOGY ALUMNI NEWS

EPI Stars & Careers Seminar Recap

UPCOMING EVENTS

Small and Large Vessel Disease and Brain Health

Tuesday, December 18

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

via Zoom

The Stroke Institute Brain Health Research Group is an exciting new initiative dedicated to advancing brain health research.

This month's presentation, "Small and Large Vessel Disease and Brain Health: An overview of risk factors, outcomes, and prevention measures," by Philip Gorelick, MD, MPH.

Registration Information:

go.uth.edu/brain-health-monthly-meeting

8th Annual Symposium on Aging

Monday, February 9

Brown Foundation

Institute of Molecular Medicine

The symposium features a full day of in-person presentations on various aging-related topics by UTHealth Houston faculty and invited scholars. A highlight of the event is the project pitch competition, where junior researchers, supported by the Harry E. Bovay Jr. Foundation, will compete for a total of $35,000 in seed funding to three nominees. 

More information available here.

Winter Break

Tuesday, December 23 - January 5

First day of

Spring Classes - January 12

The School of Public Health will be closed for winter break starting December 23 and will reopen on January 5. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

The Cupboard

Student Food Bank

Noon - 3:00 pm

RAS Building, B-04

Monday, December 1

Thursday, December 4

Monday, December 8

Thursday, December 11

The Cupboard is a no-cost food resource for students who may need assistance.



Location: SPH Building, Basement

Email: TheCupboard@uth.tmc.edu

NOTES

Associate Professor Marcia Otto, PhD, explains that consuming more plant-based proteins, such as beans, nuts, and lentils, can significantly reduce the risk of high blood pressure. You can read more on Scientific Diet.

Reminder: For more information on how to handle media requests, see the UTHealth Houston HOOP policy here. If you are contacted by the media, please call the UTHealth Houston Media Relations team on the hotline, 713-500-3030 - someone is available 24/7. Always choose to call the hotline for immediate assistance.

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