Kari North, PhD Joins UTHealth Houston to Advance Border Health

Kari North, PhD, a globally recognized expert in genetic epidemiology, has joined UTHealth Houston as vice president of border health and professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health. She will lead the Border Health Research Center in Brownsville, focusing on collaborative research to improve public health in the U.S.-Mexico border region.

After decades of collaboration with faculty at the School of Public Health, including eight years of active collaboration with the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC) Research Consortium at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Brownsville, North now steps into her new role as director of the Border Health Research Center and vice president of border health. She will work closely with colleagues across Texas to drive new initiatives and strategic partnerships to advance scientific discovery, foster innovation, and improve public health across the U.S.-Mexico border region.

North brings over 20 years of experience and over $50 million in NIH-funded research. Her work centers on the genetic and environmental causes of chronic diseases, focusing on health disparities. She specializes in integrating large-scale data to inform precision public health.

Previously at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, North held leadership roles in major national research consortia and has authored over 590 peer-reviewed publications. Her appointment underscores UTHealth Houston’s commitment to innovation and community-focused health solutions.

You can read the full news article here.

THE HUMAN GENETICS CENTER AT CHARGE

The Human Genetics Center at CHARGE

Members of the Human Genetics Center attended the 2025 CHARGE Consortium Maryland meeting, held in Bethesda, Maryland, the first week of May. The first day sessions opened with invited presentations from doctoral students Yura Lee, MS, and Mengyu Zhang, MS. Doctoral students Eun Hye Moon, MS, and Songmi Lee, MPH, were also selected as presenters for the poster blitz session.  

Also in attendance: Human Genetics Center Co-directors Alanna Morrison, PhD, and Bing Yu, PhD; Professor Myriam Fornage, PhD; Associate Professors Han Chen, PhD, and Paul de Vries, PhD; Assistant Professors Jan Bressler, PhD, Chloe Sarnowski, PhD, and Yixuan He, PhD. Faculty Associates Megan Grove, MS, and Nannan Wang, PhD, were also in attendance along with Statisticians Taryn Alkis, Adam Heath, MS, Michael Brown, MS, Ngoc Quynh Nguyen, MS. and Senior Programmer Samaneh Salehi Nasab, PhD. Epidemiology Doctoral students included Julie Hahn, MPH, Alyssa Johnston, MPH, Guning Liu, MS, Shuyi Guo, MS, and Bohong Guo, MS. 

The Human Genetics Center contributions were recognized with two 2025 CHARGE Outstanding Poster Awards for doctoral student Songmi Lee, MPH and Faculty Associate Nannan Wang, PhD and the 2025 CHARGE Cupples Mentorship Award for Professor Myriam Fornage, PhD. 

EPIDEMIOLOGY FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Researchers Uncover Factors Behind Genetic Error Correction

A new study co-led by Sujatha Jagannathan, PhD, with the University of Colorado, UTHealth Houston Assistant Professor Zeynep Coban-Akdemir, PhD, and other researchers sheds light on how cells decide to destroy faulty genetic messages. Researchers found that the amino acid just before a protein-truncating error, especially glycine, can influence whether the cell’s quality control system, known as nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), kicks in.

This process is more active in genes where loss of function is less harmful. Based on large-scale RNA-Seq data from gnomAD and TOPMed, the findings could help scientists better predict which genetic variants may lead to disease. You can read more in the study published in Cell Genomics.

Restrepo Shares Post-TB Research at Global Symposium

Epidemiology Professor Blanca I. Restrepo, PhD, at the School of Public Health in Brownsville, presented new research at the Third International Post-Tuberculosis Symposium at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Restrepo presented her research in the poster session that identified characteristics of tuberculosis patients on the U.S.-Mexico border who are at higher risk for lung function issues after tuberculosis(TB) treatment, offering insights for early intervention.

She also collaborated with researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston on a second poster presented in the poster session. The researchers are developing a mouse model to explore long-term lung damage post-TB. Restrepo emphasized the need to shift TB care toward improving survivors’ long-term health and quality of life.

Troisi Elected Chair-Elect of Global Epidemiology Policy Network

Catherine L. Troisi, PhD, professor in the Department of Management, Policy, and Community Health and secondary appointment in Epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, has been elected Chair-Elect of the International Network of Epidemiology in Policy (INEP), an organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based public health policy worldwide. A long-time member and current Executive Board member, Troisi will assume the role of Chair in 2026.

She aims to expand global participation and lead policy efforts on vaccine hesitancy, climate change, and academic freedom. INEP unites public health organizations worldwide to promote evidence-based policy.

You can learn more about INEP here.

Study Links Plant Protein Variety to Lower Hypertension Risk

A new study led by recent doctoral graduate Ji Yun Tark, PhD, under the mentorship of Associate Professor Marcia Otto, PhD, explores how protein intake and diversity affect hypertension risk. Using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), researchers found that higher intake and greater variety of minimally processed plant proteins were associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure. In contrast, plant proteins from highly processed sources were linked to increased risk. The study, supported by the American Heart Association, highlights the importance of both the source and diversity of dietary protein in heart health.

You can read the complete study published in Nutrition.

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT NEWS

Cheers to the Class of 2025!

On May 13, 2025, the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health proudly celebrated the achievements of over 250 graduates during the Commencement Ceremony at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas. The event was filled with excitement, pride, and heartfelt moments as graduates crossed the stage, cheered on by family, friends, faculty, and classmates.

This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for our graduates as they step into the world as the next generation of public health leaders, researchers, and changemakers. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, resilience, and dedication to improving health in communities near and far.

View our Epidemiology Photos featuring graduates and faculty.

Explore the School of Public Health Commencement and Reception Photos for more highlights from this unforgettable day.

EPIDEMIOLOGY ALUMNI NEWS

Alumna Advances Public Health Research on Infectious Diseases and Health Equity

Morgan Jibowu, PhD, MPH, earned her PhD in Epidemiology in 2024 from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. Jibowu is now a postdoctoral associate at Baylor College of Medicine, where she tackles critical public health challenges through research on infectious and vector-borne diseases. Motivated by a commitment to underserved communities, Jibowu focuses on bridging the gap between research and implementation.

As a postdoc, she can train under the guidance of epidemiologic researchers, all striving to produce solutions to the health issues our communities face through collaboration, data collection, and implementation efforts. Her recent work includes studying mosquito population shifts in Harris County, Texas, and developing targeted interventions for tropical diseases.

“One of the biggest challenges is the gap between research and implementation,” Jibowu said. “Research findings don't always translate into immediate policy changes or intervention strategies, but the potential to improve health outcomes and contribute to disease prevention keeps me motivated.”

She encourages future epidemiologists to stay grounded in public health’s core mission: improving health outcomes for all.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2025 TCHMB Summit

Nurturing Minds, Nurturing Lives: Advancing Quality and Comprehensive Care for Mothers and Babies

June 16 -17

Austin, Texas

Join us for the 2025 TCHMB Summit, where healthcare professionals, advocates, public health professionals, and community leaders will come together to advance healthcare quality for mothers and babies.

This year’s Summit, themed “Nurturing Minds, Nurturing Lives,” will emphasize the critical intersection of maternal mental and physical health and neonatal health and well-being.

Register to attend here: Link

Virtual Networking Session

Results from a Statewide Landscape Scan of Food Is Medicine Initiatives in Texas

Friday, June 27

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Via Zoom

Speaker, Naomi Tice, MPH, Project Manager at the Center for Health Equity, a Research Center in the Department of Epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, will share initial findings from the statewide landscape scan of Food is Medicine initiatives in Texas, a project conducted in collaboration with Cassidy Penn, Project Manager in Quality at Texas Children’s Health Plan and the Food Security Workgroup with the Health Equity Collective.

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 305: Survey Readiness

June 5

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm, virtual

 In this module, Infection Prevention Practitioner Kayla Ruch, PhD, MPH, will provide a brief overview on survey readiness with focus on IPC annual plan and risk assessment. This module is approved for CME, CNE, a-IPC, CIC, and CPH continuing education credits.

Register to attend here: Link

The Cupboard

Student Food Bank

Noon - 3:00 pm

RAS Building, B-04

Monday, June 2

Thursday, June 5

Monday, June 16

Thursday, June 18

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



Location: SPH Building, Basement

Email: TheCupboard@uth.tmc.edu

NOTES

In a recent interview with Tony Kirby, Assistant Professor Augusto Cesar Ferreira De Moraes, PhD, shared findings from a global study conducted with collaborators in the USA, Brazil, and Spain. The research highlights structural changes in key brain regions, such as the hippocampus and amygdala, in adolescents with abdominal obesity. The study also underscores how socioeconomic inequality intensifies these effects. You can watch the full interview on Vimeo here.

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.