UTHealth Houston to Lead a $4M Study on Heart Failure in Hispanic Americans

Bing Yu, PhD, Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, JLH Foundation Distinguished Chair of Transplant Prevention, and Co-Director of Human Genetics Center at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health (SPH), has been awarded a $4.1 million R01 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to lead a four-year study investigating the biological mechanisms behind heart failure, with a focus on Hispanic and Latino populations. Yu serves as the principal investigator for the project, and co-investigators from UTHealth Houston SPH include Epidemiology Professor and Chair, Alanna Morrison, PhD, and Faculty Associate Megan Grove, MS.

Heart failure remains a growing public health concern, especially among Hispanic Americans, who face higher rates of comorbidities such as obesity and diabetes, which are key drivers of systemic inflammation. The study aims to identify circulating proteins and protein signatures, specifically inflammatory biomarkers, that are associated with impaired cardiac function and its progression over time, by leveraging state-of-the-art proteomic profiling within the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). It will also determine which of these proteins can serve as predictors for the development of clinical heart failure. In addition, the research will explore the genetic determinants of heart failure-related and cardiac function-related proteins, examining how genetic variations contribute to cardiac dysfunction and the onset of heart failure.

EPIDEMIOLOGY FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Redesigning Learning: Faculty Innovations in Online Epidemiology

The UTHealth Houston School of Public Health Office of Instructional Design recently hosted its annual Teaching Innovation Awards Showcase, celebrating faculty who partnered with instructional designers to enhance their courses. Among the honorees were Department of Epidemiology Assistant Professors Heather Essigmann, PhD, Elena Feofanova, PhD, and Audrey Choh, PhD, recognized for their work on Epidemiology I and Field Epidemiology.

During the Faculty Experience Sharing Session, the team presented a range of inclusive, interactive strategies that improved student engagement and learning in asynchronous courses. Highlights included the use of H5P technology to embed real-time questions in lecture videos, ADA-compliant course materials, and a semester-long “Epi Connections” discussion series that encouraged critical thinking through real-world epidemiologic scenarios.

Students responded positively, with over 80% reporting enhanced understanding through the interactive videos. Additional innovations included STATA labs and a fully online field study, helping students meet key public health competencies.

The showcase demonstrated how thoughtful course design and collaboration can elevate hybrid and remote learning, setting a model for future instructional excellence across the school.

New Genetic Discovery Sheds Light on Rare Heart and Organ Disorders

A groundbreaking study involving researchers from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health has identified rare combinations of gene variants that may explain previously unsolved cases of laterality defects, which are conditions in which internal organs such as the heart are positioned abnormally.

Published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, the study introduced a new computational tool, DiGePred, to explore digenic inheritance. This model examines how two mildly harmful variants, one inherited from each parent, can interact to cause disease. Analyzing DNA from nearly 600 children, the team found that up to 7.3 percent carried gene pairs likely responsible for their condition, compared to just 0.3 percent in healthy individuals.

Most of the implicated genes are involved in the function of cilia, tiny hairlike structures that help establish the body’s left and right orientation during early development. The DiGePred model confirmed that 29 of 39 gene pairs were biologically likely to contribute to congenital heart disease.

“This study highlights the importance of looking beyond single gene causes and considering how gene interactions can lead to disease,” said Zeynep Coban Akdemir, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology.

The research was led by first author Archana Rai, PhD, postdoctoral associate, with contributions from Epidemiology doctoral students Iman Egab, MPH, and Jiaoyang Xu, MPH. Faculty collaborators from the Department of Epidemiology included Dean Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, Associate Professor A. J. Agopian, PhD, and Assistant Professor Zeynep Coban Akdemir, PhD.

The study was a collaborative effort with researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, including James R. Lupski, MD, and Shaine A. Morris, MD, as well as contributors from the University of Pittsburgh, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Harvard University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the Baylor Research Institute and School of Medicine in Temple, Texas.

New Publication from the Human Genetics Center

A recent study published in Epigenetics by researchers from the Human Genetics Center at the School of Public Health has identified 39 DNA methylation markers associated with proxy measures of insulin resistance, 12 of which are novel, with several findings particularly relevant to individuals of African ancestry.

Using participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, this research underscores the importance of diverse representation in genomic studies. One key discovery involves a marker near the SEMA7A gene, which may influence fat cell development and metabolic function. These findings could help pave the way for more personalized and equitable approaches to diabetes prevention and treatment.

On Location: SER Conference 2025

Faculty and students from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health participated in the annual Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) 2025 meeting this June in Boston, Massachusetts. The conference brought together leading epidemiologists from across the country, with the Department of Epidemiology representation including faculty and students who engaged in presentations, networking, and discussions on the latest advancements in epidemiologic research.

Assistant Professors Jenil Patel, PhD, Ami Sedani, PhD, Chelsea Liu, PhD, and Augusto Cesar De Moraes, PhD, were all in attendance. Patel also presented his work during the poster session, along with Moraes, with research collaborators Marcus Nascimento-Ferreira, PhD, and Tiago Almeida de Oliveira, PhD, presented their research spotlighting cardiovascular health, lifestyle behaviors, and matching learning applications in epidemiology.

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT NEWS

Student Researchers Present New Findings on Environmental Impacts on Sleep at International Conferences

At SLEEP 2025, the largest sleep conference in the United States, Bipin Singh, MPH, a doctoral student in epidemiology, presented findings from a study co-authored with fellow PhD students Deepali Ernest, MPH, and Aparajita Chandrasekhar, MPH, along with faculty collaborators. Using national data, the team found that adult males exposed to the pesticide metabolite Diethyldithiophosphate had 2.5 times higher odds of experiencing sleep difficulties. Adults aged 40 to 64 were more than twice as likely to report similar symptoms. These findings underscore the potential role of environmental exposures in contributing to insomnia-like symptoms across age and sex groups.

Building on this work, Deepali Ernest, MPH, delivered a short talk at the 2025 International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) Annual Meeting in Auckland, New Zealand. Her presentation focused on the team’s cutting-edge research examining the impact of plastic and phthalate metabolite (PPM) exposure on sleep health among U.S. adolescents and young adults. Using NHANES 2015–2018 data, the study found that higher levels of mono-ethyl phthalate were associated with 22 percent greater odds of insufficient sleep and 15 percent higher odds of excessive daytime sleepiness. Other metabolites were linked to increased odds of snoring and breath cessation.

Together, these findings highlight a growing need to address environmental contributors to sleep disorders, particularly among vulnerable youth populations. The team’s work continues to advance understanding of how everyday chemical exposures may shape long-term health outcomes.

Egab Shares Breakthrough on Inhibitor Development in Hemophilia A

Epidemiology doctoral student Iman Egab, MPH, presented her findings to uncover the biological mechanisms contributing to inhibitor development in patients with Hemophilia A at the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis(ISTH) 2025 conference in Washington, DC, on June 22.

Senn Presents Two Posters at ISBNPA Conference

Mackenzie Senn, MPH, a doctoral student in epidemiology, recently presented two research posters at the 2025 International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) annual meeting in Auckland, New Zealand

The first study explored whether financial coaching could reduce stress and anxiety and improve quality of life among low-income Hispanic and Black adults with overweight or obesity. While results were not statistically significant, participants who received coaching showed improvements in well-being, suggesting financial support may enhance health interventions.

The second study assessed fruit and vegetable intake among Houston teachers using the Veggie Meter®, a non-invasive tool that measures skin carotenoids. The device showed a modest but significant correlation with self-reported intake, supporting its use for quick, objective dietary assessments.

EPIDEMIOLOGY ALUMNI NEWS

MPH Graduate Brings Public Health to the People One Laundromat at a Time

Nicholas McCann, BS, who recently earned his Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in San Antonio, has taken an unconventional path to medicine. His journey was shaped by early exposure to healthcare, a pandemic-era shift in perspective, and a passion for reaching underserved communities. From launching a mobile health outreach program in San Antonio laundromats to teaching in rural Vietnam, McCann’s story reflects a deep commitment to service and innovation.

“My background in public health is going to give me a different perspective, just understanding health at both the individual and the population level, and how public health and medicine intersect,” McCann said.

He now heads to medical school with a strong foundation in public health and a vision for impact.

Read the full story to learn more about McCann’s inspiring path.

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

ACTion Lab

Film Screening Series

Thursday, July 10

5:30-6:45 PM

RAS Auditorium and TEAMS Link

The next installment of the ACTion Lab's Film Screening Series features Lights Out Texas, presented in partnership with Houston Audubon. This engaging documentary shares stories from conservationists, scientists, and community leaders, highlighting how artificial lighting affects both wildlife and human health. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr. Qian Xiao, Dr. Robert Emery, Pete Deichmann, Land Conservation Director at Houston Audubon, and Patti Goodman, Property Manager at MetroNational.

Acres Homes

Community Walk & Learn

Saturday, August 2

8:00 AM

Join the Acres Homes Chamber Farmer's Market, BeWell Acres Homes, Fit Houston, the Health Equity Collective, and many health-minded community partners for a Walk & Learn in Acres Homes.

Our walk begins and ends at the Acres Homes Farmer's Market, and we will walk to the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center for their Back to School event, then we will walk back to the Acres Homes Chamber. Walking and learning are the way to go as we embrace the great things happening in the vibrant community that is Acres Homes.

FREE EVENT - Family Friendly - Open to the Public - Doggie Friendly

For more information: Click here

Save the Date for the Texas Public Health Summit 2025

Texas Public Health Summit 2025

Lone Star Outlook: Infectious Disease Preparedness for 2050

September 25, 2025

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Hybrid Event from the Texas Medical Center

Join us for the 2025 Texas Public Health Summit (TXPHS25), where public health professionals, industry leaders, and subject-matter experts will come together to explore the future of infectious disease preparedness in Texas. This year’s theme, Lone Star Outlook: Infectious Disease Preparedness for 2050, invites attendees to reflect on key milestones, examine today’s challenges, and look ahead to the innovations shaping our future.

Visit TEPHI Events for registration details.

TEPHI INFECTION PREVENTION

& CONTROL SEMINAR SERIES

Module 306: High Level Disinfection

July 3

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm, virtual

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of high-level disinfection in healthcare, including how to define and describe high-level disinfection, understand the disinfection process, and effectively monitor these processes to ensure compliance and safety. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your infection prevention knowledge and earn CME, CNE, a-IPC, CIC, and CPH continuing education credits.

The Cupboard

Student Food Bank

Noon - 3:00 pm

RAS Building, B-04

Thursday, July 3

Monday, July 14

Thursday, July 17

Monday, July 28

Thursday, July 31

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

Location: SPH Building, Basement

Email: TheCupboard@uth.tmc.edu

NOTES

Calling all Epidemiology alums! Epi in the News would like to include alum updates and news to feature in our monthly spotlight! Please email Jana Satterwhite, Communications Specialist, to be considered for our upcoming newsletters.

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. Deb Lake is the designated School of Public Health contact. Always choose to call the hotline for immediate assistance.

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.