Epidemiology Welcomes New Faculty Members

The Department of Epidemiology welcomes Ami Sedani, PhD, to the School of Public Health in Dallas as an assistant professor. Sedani brings a wealth of experience in cancer prevention and control to the Department of Epidemiology. Sedani holds a BS in Biological Sciences from Arizona State University, an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

Sedani's research addresses social drivers of cancer disparities and methodological challenges like selection bias. Her work spans cancer detection, substance use, and causal inference. Sedani is also actively involved in the Society of Epidemiologic Research, aiming to engage and support students in the field.

In addition to her research, Sedani will teach cancer prevention and control courses. Outside work, she enjoys traveling, spending time with loved ones, and exploring new restaurants.

Yixuan He, PhD, will join us as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology in Houston and will be affiliated with the Human Genetics Center. With a BA from Dartmouth College and a PhD in Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics from Harvard Medical School, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. She completed postdoctoral training at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University.

He's research interests include statistical genetics, genomics, and gene-environment interactions. Her research program will focus on developing and applying statistical and machine-learning methods to understand disease mechanisms and identify drivers of disease heterogeneity, especially for lung diseases and cardiometabolic traits.

She enjoys baking, cooking with friends, painting, and playing with her dog in her free time. She looks forward to having students join the lab and can be contacted via email for more information.

We look forward to the innovative research and teaching our new Assistant Professors will bring to the Department of Epidemiology.

EPIDEMIOLOGY FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

New Grant to Combat Mosquito-Borne Viruses

Assistant Professor Victor Lopez del Amo, PhD, has received a new R01 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to advance a new, innovative project. The project aims to combat viruses like yellow fever, Zika, Chikungunya, and dengue, which affect millions and cause over 300,000 deaths annually.

Lopez del Amo will focus on developing next-generation technologies using CRISPR, a genome-editing tool. The project includes two main approaches:

Precision-Genetic Sterile Insect Technique (pgSIT): This involves genetically modifying mosquitoes to make them sterile. Releasing these sterile mosquitoes can reduce population numbers, as they do not produce offspring when they mate with wild females.
CRISPR Gene Drives: This method spreads traits within a mosquito population that protect them from viruses. By doing so, these mosquitoes cannot transmit the viruses to humans, effectively blocking transmission.

This project aims to expand the toolkit for vector control, potentially reducing the economic burden of these diseases and improving preparedness for future outbreaks.

Dynamic Molecular Markers of Fatty Liver Disease Identified

A collaboration of researchers has published a new study that found that the molecular markers of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease) vary across different areas of the liver and change over time. The study aimed to find early markers of fatty liver disease by combining data from large groups of people with advanced lab techniques.

Epidemiology Professors Susan Fisher-Hoch, PhD, and Joseph McCormick, PhD, show that a signal from their clinical and multi-omic work on hepatic steatosis can be used to induce steatosis in liver normal liver cells on a chip and the molecular markers used to predict fatty liver disease are not evenly distributed throughout the liver and can change over time. This variability can help understand the disease's complexity and improve diagnosis and treatment strategies.

You can read more about the study, published in Cell Reports Medicine.

Varela Keynote Speaker at SIPES

Epidemiology Assistant Professor Andrea Ramirez Varela, PhD, was a keynote speaker at the IV International Symposium on Lifestyle and Health Research (SIPES) held in Recife, Brazil, on November 28, 2024.

She delivered her keynote presentation, "Global" Political Priority of Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases (Tobacco, Alcohol, Physical Activity, and Nutrition): What Makes Global Networks," followed by an insightful Q&A session with the audience. Varela also shared her expertise and insights on the CrefCast podcast and served as a guest speaker for a conference session. She highlighted UTHealth Houston opportunities for international visitors, showcasing the institution's commitment to fostering global collaboration.

Mom Community Advisory Group Meeting

On Friday, December 13th, the Center for Health Equity hosted its bi-monthly Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting to inform Food Is Medicine research, policy, and practice. This CAG is one of the studios supported through the Center's Community and Stakeholder Engagement Studio (CSES), which ensures community voices are included in every stage of research project design.

The CSES is a structured consultation service offered for research to ensure community lived experience informs their work.

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT NEWS

New Research Highlights the Link Between Physical Activity and Sleep Behaviors

A recent population-based study, led by School of Public Health doctoral students, conducted from 2015 to 2020 has shed light on the significant connection between different types and intensities of physical activity and sleep behaviors among adults in the United States. The research, led by Co-Principal Investigators Deepali Ernest, MPH, and Bipin Singh, MPH, from the Center for Health Equity at UTHealth School of Public Health, along with Senior Author Shreela Sharma, PhD, RDN, LD, director of the Center for Health Equity, reveals intriguing findings about how physical activity impacts sleep.

The study found a notable relationship between work-related physical activity and adverse sleep outcomes. In contrast, recreational physical activity was associated with favorable sleep behaviors. This suggests that while work-related activities might contribute to poor sleep quality, engaging in recreational activities can promote better sleep and overall health.

The key takeaway from this research is that recreational physical activity not only supports good metabolic health but also correlates with positive sleep behaviors and health outcomes among adults in the United States.

The study's co-authors include Elizabeth Onugha, MD, Baylor School of Medicine, and Fathimath Shamna, MPH, with UTHealth School of Public Health. You can read more in the Journal of Activity, Sedentary and Sleep Behaviors.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Albert Schweitzer Fellowship

Houston-Galveston Chapter

Winter Symposium

Saturday, January 18

8:30 am-Noon

ASFHG is excited to announce our first-ever Winter Symposium!

Join us on the morning of Saturday, January 18th, to hear from our current Fellows and contribute to meaningful discussions about their projects and community impact.

UTHealth Houston

Institute on Aging

Carmel Dyer, MD

Lecture Series

Friday, January 17

8:00 am - 9:30 am

Join us every third Friday from 8-9:30 am as we host engaging presentations from innovators in geroscience, clinical research, and practice dedicated to advancing aging research and care. Come hear about the latest developments, ignite collaborations, and explore what matters most in health care and aging.

School of Public Health

Welcome Week

January 13 - 16

Join the School of Public Health for Welcome Week! Open to all new and returning students with different events, including an alum panel, resource fair, coffee social, and more!

Monday, January 13

Alumni Panel

Tuesday, January 14

Getting to Know Handshake

Wednesday, January 15

Coffee with Faculty

Resource Fair

Thursday, January 16

Practice Starts Now, and Get PHIT

The Cupboard

Student Food Bank

Thursday, January 23

Monday, January 27

Thursday, January 30

Noon - 3:00 pm

The Cupboard is a no-cost food resource

for students who may

need assistance.

Location: SPH Building, Basement

Email: TheCupboard@uth.tmc.edu

NOTES

Spring 2025 Graduation Application Close February 1

If you are a degree-seeking student (MPH, MS, DrPH, PhD) planning to graduate during the spring 2025 semester, please click the link, and follow the steps in the graduation guide to complete the requirements by the designated deadlines.

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