Expanding Colorectal Cancer Screening in Texas

UTHealth Houston has received more than $2.9 million from the CDC to expand a five-year initiative to increase colorectal cancer screening, follow-up, and treatment across Federally Qualified Health Centers in Texas. Led by the UTHealth Houston Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research (CHPPR) in collaboration with the UTHealth Institute for Implementation Science, the award is part of the CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP), a national effort to increase screening in communities with historically low rates through evidence-based interventions and partnerships with safety net healthcare systems.

The initiative is co-led by Professor Maria E. Fernández, PhD, and Professor Bijal Balasubramanian, MBBS, PhD, nationally recognized leaders in cancer prevention and implementation science. Their work aims to close persistent gaps in colorectal cancer outcomes by embedding sustainable, data-driven practices in safety-net clinics across the state.

Key Findings on Travel and Gut Health

Epidemiology Professor and Center for Infectious Diseases member Herbert L. DuPont, MD, leads a vital study advancing the understanding of travel‑related gut health, recently published in the Journal of Travel Medicine. DuPont explains how international travel disrupts the gut microbiome, increasing the risk of dysbiosis, traveler’s diarrhea, and prolonged carriage of multidrug‑resistant bacteria.

The review underscores the need for travelers to protect their gut health, especially when visiting high‑risk regions. It also highlights how factors such as diet changes, circadian disruption, stress, and environmental exposures shape microbiome stability during and after trips.

Impact of Recovery Residences on Property Values

Epidemiology Assistant Professor and Center for Health Equity member Ryan Ramphul, PhD, is the principal investigator of a new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, conducted with a multidisciplinary team of researchers.

The study examines whether recovery residences, which support individuals recovering from substance use disorders, influence neighborhood property values in Texas. Results showed no statistically significant association between these homes and median property values. The findings challenge common community concerns and offer evidence to guide zoning decisions and reduce opposition to recovery housing.

Multi-Trait Genetic Analysis Enhances Lung Disease Prediction

Epidemiology Assistant Professor and Human Genetics Center member Yixuan He, PhD, served as a co-principal investigator alongside a team of international researchers, publishing a landmark study in Nature Genetics.

The team conducted the largest multi-trait and multi-ancestry genetic analysis of lung function and related diseases to date, identifying 25 new genetic loci in East Asian populations.

Using these discoveries, they developed PRSxtra, a cross-trait and cross-ancestry polygenic risk score that more accurately predicts asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer risk than traditional approaches.

Their work demonstrates the power of studying diverse populations and shared biological pathways to improve genetic discovery and disease risk prediction.

2025 Center for Health Equity Impact Report

The Center for Health Equity has released the 2025 Impact Report, highlighting a year of significant growth, collaboration, and statewide progress in advancing health equity across Texas. Key accomplishments include securing 11 new grants and contracts, publishing 41 peer‑reviewed papers, convening multiple community advisory and stakeholder meetings, and supporting more than 20 students and trainees across projects. The report also showcases 13 active Food Is Medicine initiatives and results from a statewide landscape scan identifying 48 Food Is Medicine programs currently operating across Texas.

New research in healthy aging is another primary focus, including studies examining predictors of dementia and the development of community‑based interventions to support cognitive health among older adults. The report also announced the rebranding of the Health Equity Collective to the Coalition for Connected Care, reflecting its broadened role in statewide systems work.

You can read the full Impact Report here.

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT NEWS

Student InterCouncil (SIC) Scholarships Now Open

Application Deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

The Student InterCouncil (SIC) is pleased to announce six (6) $1,000 scholarships available to current UTHealth Houston students for the 2025–2026 academic year. Two recipients will be selected for each scholarship listed below:

· SIC Academic Achievement Award – Recognizing exceptional academic performance

· Toshi Nikaidoh Service Award – Honoring outstanding community or campus service

· Shohrae Hajibashi Memorial Leadership Award – Celebrating excellence in student leadership

Students enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible to apply for all three awards. The SIC Scholarship Committee will review applications for the Academic Achievement and Service awards. Committee members are not eligible to apply for either of these awards. Students who hold or have held leadership roles within the university are eligible for the Leadership award. All scholarships will be disbursed in spring 2026, and recipients must remain enrolled through that semester.

For more information, click here.

Doctoral Dissertation Research Awards

Application deadline: 4 p.m. Central on February 20, 2026

Doctoral Dissertation Research Awards are intended to provide students with funding for research-related expenditures that are essential to the conduct and successful completion of their doctoral dissertations and that fall outside of the scope of typical graduate school expenses. Applications are solicited in the Fall and Spring semesters. Up to two award recipients will be selected.

For more information, email SPHResearchServices@uth.tmc.edu.

Download the application by clicking here or click here for more information.

R. Palmer Beasley, M.D. & Lu-Yu Hwang, M.D. Travel Award in International Research.

Application Opens 2/3/26!

This travel award application is for continuing students working on important public health issues in a developing country of Asia, Africa, or Latin America. The awards will be for travel during the summer of 2026. Faculty can send recommendation letters by April 1 to melanie.e.house@uth.tmc.edu, or students can upload recommendation letters with their application. Students must adhere to the UTHealth Houston travel requirements for students traveling to international locations. See Student Travel and the Step-by-Step Guide for Students Traveling Internationally. For more information, see mySPH.

Healthcare Innovation Case Competition Now Open!

Registration is now open for the 8th annual Healthcare Innovation Collaborative Case Competition, taking place Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGovern Medical School. Open to all UTHealth Houston students, the event brings together interdisciplinary teams to solve real health care challenges and compete for cash awards. The top team will advance to the 2027 CLARION National Case Competition.

Registration deadline: Jan. 31

Registration Information

EPIDEMIOLOGY ALUMNI NEWS

Epidemiology Career Seminar Series

Are you a PhD or DrPH graduate from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health Epidemiology program? We’d love for you to be a part of a new Quarterly Career Seminar Series for doctoral students starting Fall 2025!

We are seeking alumni from all sectors—academia, industry, government, nonprofits, and beyond—to:

Share candid insights into life after graduation
Share career journeys
Discuss challenges and lessons learned
Offer practical advice on navigating transitions and exploring opportunities in the field

Your experiences can provide invaluable guidance and inspiration as students shape their professional paths, while you continue building your network and gaining visibility as a leader in your field.

Interested in participating or learning more?

Please fill out the form at go.uth.edu/AlumniSpeakerForm or email Elena.V.Feofanova@uth.tmc.edu for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS

From Plate to Cortex: The 2025-2026 Dietary Guidelines and Brain Health

Thursday, February 19

4:00 - 5:00 PM CST

via Zoom

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

This month's presentation, “From Plate to Cortex: The 2025-2026 Dietary Guidelines and Brain Health,” is presented by Dr. Wesley Tucker. PhD, RDN, Associate Professor of Nutrition, Director, MS Exercise & Sports Nutrition Program, Texas Woman's University Institute of Health Sciences - Houston Center.

Registration Information:

TEAMS Link

14th Annual Houston Global Health Collaborative Conference

Saturday, March 16

TAMU School of Engineering Medicine

1020 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030

The Houston Global Health Collaborative (HGHC) is excited to announce that registration is now open for our 14th Annual Global Health Conference. This year’s theme, “Changing Realities, Shared Responsibilities: Global Health in a Complex World,” invites students, trainees, researchers, and faculty to engage in a full day of interdisciplinary learning, collaboration, and networking focused on today’s evolving global and public health challenges.

More information available here.

The Cupboard Student Food Bank

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

RAS Building, B-04

Wednesday, Feb 4

Thursday, Feb 5

Wednesday, Feb 11

Thursday, Feb 12

Wednesday, Feb 18

Thursday, Feb 19

Wednesday, Feb 25

Thursday, Feb 26

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

Location: SPH Building, Basement

Email: TheCupboard@uth.tmc.edu

SUBMISSIONS AND NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

All campuses are encouraged to submit items for consideration for the monthly Epi newsletter. Please feel free to submit your items to sphepi@uth.tmc.edu.