Epidemiology Hosts Resource Fair to Welcome New and Returning Students

The Department of Epidemiology was pleased to welcome both new and returning students to the annual Epidemiology Resource Fair. This event provided an opportunity for students to engage with faculty and staff, learn more about the department’s professional certificate programs, explore current research initiatives, and discover new course offerings.

In addition to departmental resources, representatives from the School of Public Health Library, METRO services, and Epidemiology Academic and Admissions advisor JR F. Bright were present to assist students with inquiries related to admissions, academic advising, and transportation services. The fair fostered a welcoming and informative environment, and student participation was enthusiastic throughout the event.

To view photos from the Resource Fair, please visit the following link: Flickr Photo Album

EPIDEMIOLOGY FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Researchers Help Uncover Genetic Links Between Insulin Resistance and Brain Health

A newly published study in Communications Biology has revealed connections between genetic risk factors for insulin resistance and neurological outcomes, including brain volumes and cognitive decline. Researchers from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, including corresponding author, Epidemiology Assistant Professor Chloé Sarnowski, PhD, contributed significantly to this multi-institutional effort conducted through the NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program.

In this study, the team derived genetic instruments for traits related to insulin resistance, a pathological condition shared by type 2 diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative processes linked to aging and dementia. By combining data from large-scale genetic studies, they developed polygenic scores to assess insulin resistance predisposition and tested their associations with neurological outcomes in more than 17,000 participants representing diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The findings revealed that genetic variants associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes and obesity, particularly those linked to metabolic syndrome, were also associated with cognitive decline. Additionally, individuals with a higher genetic predisposition to insulin resistance tended to have lower total cranial volume, suggesting a potential link between metabolic health and brain structure.

This research highlights the importance of inclusive genetic studies and opens new avenues for understanding how metabolic dysfunction may contribute to age-related cognitive disorders.

The study brought together collaborators from leading academic institutions, including Harvard University, the University of Michigan, the University of Washington, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the University of California San Diego, the University of Southern California, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Columbia University, the University of Vermont, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

New Research Highlights Gaps in Childhood Obesity Screening

A recent study led by UTHealth Houston School of Public Health reveals that body mass index (BMI), although widely used to identify childhood obesity, may fail to detect excess adiposity in a significant portion of children, particularly in underserved communities along the U.S.–Mexico border. The research, led by Epidemiology Professor and Vice President of Border Health Kari North, PhD, analyzed data from nearly 200 Hispanic children aged 8 to 17 in the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC), a long-standing community-based study focused on Mexican-American health.

Findings showed that while BMI effectively identified most children with obesity, nearly one-third of those not classified as obese by BMI still had unhealthy levels of body fat. This hidden adiposity places them at increased risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The study highlights the limitations of BMI as a sole screening tool and emphasizes the need for improved methods to detect early signs of obesity-related health risks.

Researchers also found that the waist-to-height ratio, a simple and accessible measurement, performed nearly as well as advanced body composition scans using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This suggests that more practical tools could be implemented in clinical and community settings to enhance early detection.

The collaborative study included experts from UTHealth Houston, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the University of North Carolina. It underscores the importance of tailored screening strategies for high-risk pediatric populations and supports timely interventions to prevent long-term health consequences.

Read the full article here.

Liu Awarded Pilot Grant to Study Brain Aging in Caregivers Facing Social Adversity

Chelsea Liu, PhD, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, has received a $20,000 pilot grant from the UTHealth Houston Institute on Aging to study how social adversity affects brain aging in long-term caregivers. The project focuses on informal caregivers in Cameron County, South Texas, a region with elevated risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).

The project will be carried out with the support of other key collaborators with expertise in brain imaging, cognitive assessment, and community-engaged research in Cameron County, including Fadi Musfee, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, and Belinda Reininger, DrPH, Professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences and Regional Dean at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health’s Brownsville campus.

Musfee Leads Brain Aging Research in Brownsville

Fadi Musfee, MD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, has been awarded a competitive grant from the UTHealth Houston Institute on Aging for the pilot study, “The Early Structural and Cognitive Changes in the Brain Aging Process among Hispanic/Latino Individuals.” This research aims to deepen the understanding of brain aging and address disparities in dementia and stroke risk within Hispanic/Latino populations.

The Harry E. Bovay, Jr. Foundation Endowment for Aging Research and Education supports the grant, which promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research across UTHealth Houston. The award is part of a competitive funding initiative for junior faculty, designed to support aging-related pilot studies and help researchers secure larger grants.

This study will be conducted at the School of Public Health Brownsville campus and aligns with broader efforts to improve brain health equity in underserved communities.

2025 Global Country Cards Launched to Promote Physical

Activity and Education

The Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) and the Global Observatory for Physical Education (GoPE!) have released updated Country Cards, offering national snapshots of physical activity, education, surveillance, and policy across 186 countries.

Epidemiology Assistant Professor Andrea Ramirez Varela, MD, contributed to this major international effort. Her work helped shape the indicators used in the cards, ensuring they reflect both scientific rigor and real-world relevance.

Developed by a global coalition of researchers and public health experts, the cards are designed to support healthier, more active communities by guiding policy and advocacy efforts.

This third edition of the GoPA! cards builds on previous releases from 2015 and 2021, and now includes expanded data and new partnerships. The GoPE! cards, launched alongside them, focus specifically on physical education systems and policies, offering complementary insights to support lifelong physical activity.

Explore the Country Cards and learn more at GoPA! and GoPE!.

CIVITAS Annual Conference Sept 28-30

Epidemiology Assistant Professor Micaela Sandoval, PhD, and Center for Health Equity Project Manager Heidi McPherson, MPH, presented on “BUILDING BRIDGES, NOT BARRIERS: CREATING SHARED INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EQUITABLE CARE COORDINATION “ at the CIVITAS Networks for Health annual conference in Anaheim, CA, Sept 29-30.

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT NEWS

2025 Sharma Fellows Announced

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health has named three doctoral students as 2025 Sharma Fellows, recognizing their commitment to advancing research in community nutrition, climate health, and sustainability. The fellowship, supported by the Shreela and Vibhu Sharma Endowment for Excellence in Community Nutrition, Climate Health and Sustainability, provides a stipend and mentorship through partnerships with leading research centers and community organizations.

Tyson Murray, a PhD student in Epidemiology, will be placed with the Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. His fellowship will focus on climate-related health disparities and aims to inform public health strategies that address environmental stressors affecting vulnerable populations.

Katherine Joseph, a student in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, will collaborate with the school and its partners to apply her background in engineering and public health to sustainable infrastructure and wastewater epidemiology.

Zihan Yang, a student in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, will collaborate with the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, the Center for Health Equity, and Brighter Bites, focusing on nutrition equity and food systems as a quantitative researcher.

The fellowship was expanded in 2024 to include climate health, reflecting its growing impact on public health. Fellows are selected for their potential to translate research into meaningful community outcomes. You can read the full article here.

Study Reveals Gaps in Provider Awareness of HPV Vaccine Guidelines for Adults 27–45

In June 2019, the US CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) extended the HPV vaccination recommendation to adults aged 27 to 45 through shared clinical decision-making (SCDM). A recent study published in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics investigates healthcare professionals' awareness of and barriers to this approach, based on a population-based survey conducted in Texas between January and April 2021. Findings revealed limited awareness, with 54.26% of HCPs aware of the SCDM guideline, while 44.96% reported no anticipated barriers and planned to engage in SCDM. Among HCPs, gynecologists and obstetricians had higher odds of awareness of the recommendation. These findings highlight the need for targeted training of HCPs to increase HPV vaccination rates in Texas.

The first author of the study is Epidemiology doctoral student Manali Desai, MBBS, MPH. Co-authors include Professors Shreela V. Sharma, PhD, and Charles Darkoh, PhD, from the Department of Epidemiology at the School of Public Health. Additional contributors are affiliated with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Summer 2026 Graduate Archer Fellowship Program Now Open

UTHealth Houston students seeking hands-on experience in policy and politics in Washington, D.C., are strongly encouraged to apply for the Summer 2026 Graduate Archer Fellowship Program hosted by The Archer Center. The Archer Center was established by The University of Texas System in 2010 to bring students to our nation's capital to learn about the federal government and public service. Graduate fellows will live and work in Washington, D.C., during the summer while pursuing relevant coursework and practical experience (i.e., an internship).

The Summer 2026 Graduate Archer Fellowship Program application is now open. The application deadline is Saturday, November 1, at 11:59 p.m. CST.

To learn more about The Archer Center and the fellowship, attend an information session from 12-1 p.m. (CST) on Tuesday, October 14, or Friday, October 17, 2025.

Additional information about the program and upcoming sessions is available on the UTHealth Houston Archer Center Fellowship website.

EPIDEMIOLOGY ALUMNI NEWS

Alumna Publishes Doctoral Research in

Brain and Behavior

The Department of Epidemiology alumna Anayeli Herrera Morales, PhD, published her doctoral dissertation in the peer-reviewed journal Brain and Behavior. The study offers new insights into the impact of sleep disorders during pregnancy.

Using insurance claims data from 93,767 U.S. women with singleton pregnancies between 2015 and 2021, the research assessed the prevalence of clinically diagnosed sleep disorders and breathing abnormalities, and their associations with maternal and birth outcomes. The study found a prevalence rate of 3.41%, significantly lower than self-reported rates, suggesting widespread underdiagnosis.

Importantly, diagnosed sleep conditions were linked to increased odds of adverse outcomes, including cesarean delivery, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, postpartum depression, stillbirth, low birthweight, and shortened gestation periods. Adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.25 to 3.37.

These findings underscore the importance of routine prenatal sleep screening and call for further research in more diverse populations to better understand and address sleep-related health disparities in maternal care.

The study was co-authored by Associate Professors Kristin Young, PhD, Miryoung Lee, PhD, and Assistant Professor Audrey Choh, PhD, with the Department of Epidemiology, and Associate Professor Cici Bauer, PhD, with the Department of Biostatistics and Data Science.

Read the full publication here.

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

Cognitive Resilience and Brain Health

Thursday, October 16

1:30 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, "Cognitive Resilience and Brain Health: Cognitive resilience concepts in diverse populations" by Augustin Ibanez, MD (Latin American Brain Health Institute).

Registration Information:

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

James H. Steele, DVM Fall Lecture

Thursday, October 30

Noon - 1:00 pm

The Center for Infectious Diseases invites you to the James H. Steele, DVM, Fall Lecture featuring Sarah Gunter, PhD, on Thursday, October 30.

Gunter will present her lecture titled "Innovations in Surveillance and Control

of Mosquito and Tick-Borne Diseases

in the Southern US." This event is free and open to the public. The first 25 attendees will receive a free lunch.

For registration for in-person

and virtual options: Link

UTHealth Houston

Fitness in the Park at Discovery Green

Now to November 15

Hatha Yoga

October 11

9:00 - 10:00 am

Clase de Yoga Respiración Consciente y Meditación de Sonidos en Español

October 13

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Gentle Yoga Flow and Sound Meditation

October 14

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

From now through Nov. 15, you can join friends, colleagues, and the community for Fitness in the Park at Discovery Green: free, UTHealth Houston-sponsored exercise classes that combine movement, music, and mindfulness.

For more information about Fitness in the Park and to view the entire schedule, visit the Fitness in the Park website.

The Cupboard

Student Food Bank

Noon - 3:00 pm

RAS Building, B-04

Thursday, October 2

Monday, October 6

Thursday, October 9

Monday, October 13

Thursday, October 16

Monday, October 20

Thursday, October 23

Monday, October 27

Thursday, October 30

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

Location: SPH Building, Basement

Email: TheCupboard@uth.tmc.edu

TEPHI INFECTION PREVENTION

& CONTROL SEMINAR SERIES

Module 309: Outbreak Investigation

Thursday, October 2

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm, virtual

Module 309 will provide an overview of how to conduct an outbreak investigation in a healthcare facility. This module is approved for CME, CNE, a-IPC, CIC, and CPH continuing education credits.

JOIN THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM TO

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S

Saturday, November 8

Helix Park

Opening Ceremony 9:15 am

Walk Starts 9:30 am

Join the School of Public Health team in the Walk to End Alzheimer's to help raise funds and awareness for the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

There is no registration fee for the Walk and open to all. If you raise a minimum of $100.00, you will earn the official t-shirt!

Registration and more information

available here!

NOTES

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.

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.