A weekly newsletter for all UK College of Public Health faculty, staff, and health champions in Kentucky and beyond!

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Pictured is student Emma Grace Hague

CPH student Emma Grace Hague shares her love for public health


Each February, we celebrate “I ❤️ Public Health Month” to highlight the important and varied role public health plays in our local and global community. Current CPH student Emma Grace Hague shares why she loves public health. Enjoy!

Did You Know?

Submit Abstracts by Feb. 21 for the CCTS Spring Conference/College of Public Health Research Day!


The UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) is now accepting abstracts and mentor award nominations for its 18th Annual Spring Conference, which also includes our College of Public Health Research Day, to be held Monday, March 27 in-person at the Gatton Student Center.

Public Health Showcase 2023 Abstract Submission Deadline is extended to Feb. 28th!


The 2023 Public Health Showcase, sponsored by CPH, is a unique opportunity for sharing innovative work in public health research, community practice, teaching, and workforce development. This event will be held in person on Monday, April 10, 2023, at the UK Kentucky Gatton Student Center. Deadline to submit abstracts is February 28th. Online registration is required for all attendees (including abstract presenters), and deadline is March 27th.

2023 UNITE Research Showcase


On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, UNITE will host the 2023 UNITE Research Showcase - centered around elevating and promoting the importance of racial equity research at the University of Kentucky, across the Commonwealth, and beyond. UK faculty, trainees, and students are invited to submit poster presentation titles and abstracts by March 10, 2023. 

KPHA 2023 Conference: Early registration rate ends Feb. 24th


The Kentucky Public Health Association (KPHA) will hold it's 75th Annual Educational Conference “Public Health: Shines Bright Like a Diamond,” on April 19-21, 2023 at the Sloan Convention Center & Holiday Inn, in Bowling Green, Kentucky — bringing together public health professionals from across Kentucky and beyond.

UK College of Public Health welcomes Senior Philanthropy Officer, Nathan Rudder


CPH welcomes Nathan Rudder as their new Senior Philanthropy Officer. Nathan will champion CPH’s philanthropic and giving initiatives to help further support the mission of developing health champions, conducting multidisciplinary and applied research, and collaborating with partners to improve the health in Kentucky and beyond.

News, Events, and Stories

UK environmental health team wants to study long-term effects of OH chemical disaster

UK is looking to pilot a research study about the long-term effects of the recent East Palestine, Ohio, chemical disaster. Dr. Erin Haynes, EEH department chair at CPH, is building a team seeking opportunities for collaboration to begin a study on the long-term effects of the toxic disaster.

Anything's Possible in Public Health: Virtual MPH Info Session

Know a candidate interested in being a change-maker with a focus on building healthier populations? Invite them to our Master of Public Health (MPH) virtual info session on Tuesday, February 21st at 6pm as our admissions staff spotlights this degree program for all prospective candidates.

MHA Virtual Information Session

Know a candidate that wants to advance or pursue a leadership role in a variety of health services organizations? CPH is inviting all prospective students to attend a virtual information session on Monday, February 27th at 7pm to learn more about our MHA program and applicable graduate certificates with our college staff and the MHA program director, Dr. Maureen Jones.

Spotlight on a Major: Public Health

Know a student that wants to learn more about PUBLIC HEALTH and how this major intersects with everyone and everything in order to make our communities healthier? UK students will hear from Dr. Sarah Cprek, Director of Undergraduate Studies at CPH, along with a student representative. Advisors will also be on hand to answer any questions. Join us on Tuesday, February 28th at 4:30-5 p.m. in the Stuckert Career Center, Kemper Library (Room 107) on campus.

Black History Month: "The Melanin Elements of Healthcare"

In celebration of Black History Month, the UK Master of Health Administration Student Association (UK MHA), at CPH proudly presents "The Melanin Elements of Healthcare" event on Friday, February 24th starting at 10:30am in the UK Athletics Association Auditorium at the William T. Young Library on campus. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend. Light lunch will be provided.

BERD Bites Series, February 2023: Register Here

The BERD Bites Series (Bringing Information and Training to Educate Scholars) is hosted by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Research Design (BERD) Core. You're invited to attend the next BERD Bites virtual event on Monday, February 27th at 12pm titled "Combining Administrative and Clinical Records in Health Care Research: Examples from Recent UK Studies."

Faculty Candidate Presentation by Shannon S. Cigan

Our Department of Epidemiology & Environmental Health (EEH) welcomes faculty candidate Shannon S. Cigan, PhD, an environmental epidemiologist who integrates laboratory science and epidemiologic methods into the study of human cancer, who will be presenting on "Understanding the contributions of environmental exposures and genomics in pediatric and adult cancer etiology" on February 23rd.

Research Publications

"Implementation and function of interdisciplinary rounds: An observational multisite hospital study from project ACHIEVE" Nikita Vundi, Jessica M Clouser, Akosua K Adu, Jing Li


Abstract: Interdisciplinary rounds (IDR) are increasingly employed by hospitals; however, there is no formal definition, structure, or framework. The purpose of this observational study was to document the heterogeneity of IDRs and assess the different characteristics associated with IDR functions.


"Quantitative fluoride imaging of teeth using CaF emission by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy," Mauro Martinez, G Jean Harry, Erin N HaynesPi-I D LinEmily OkenMegan K HortonRobert O WrightManish AroraChristine Austin


Abstract: In this work, we propose the use of molecular emission of calcium fluoride (CaF) by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to obtain quantitative fluoride distribution images of teeth. LIBS has proved to be an efficient technique to detect low amounts of fluoride in solids, and human teeth have the advantage being a matrix rich in calcium.

Additional Stories

UK honors Black History Month


'Behind the Blue': Katrice Albert discusses UK’s DEI Implementation Plan


ForagerOne portal connects faculty and students to grow research at UK


UK NPHC strives to make a difference on campus and beyond


Protecting the heart from side effects of cancer treatment


UK named among nation's top 10 large employers by Forbes magazine

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