Photo Credit: Rutgers Digital Asset Library | |
Keeping the 'Public' in Public Health | |
The School's Newsletter is Back! | |
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Welcome to the 2023-2024 academic school year, my seventh as the dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health. The last seven years have been nothing short of remarkable and transformative.
The school is now the #22 school of public health in the country – an enormous increase in rank. This jump is due to the exceptional efforts of our faculty, students, and staff, who work with and for the people of New Jersey, the United States, and the world seek to improve public health through equitable and justice solutions.
We know that COVID-19 and other diseases, racism, and political strife, come together to create situations that undermine the health and wellbeing of people and populations, which is why we are dedicated to not only addressing the biological factors of disease, but also the social, psychological, and behavioral components. This is something I am also focused on as chair of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, where my initiative is titled “Challenging Hate to Enhance Health Equity.”
As we work to improve the health of all, we look forward to sharing our accomplishments with you in our reimagined quarterly newsletter, the Scarletter.
Sincerely,
Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MS, MPH (He/Him/His/Himself Per/Per/Pers/Perself)
Dean
Hunterdon Professor of Public Health & Health Equity
Distinguished Professor of Biostatistics & Epidemiology and Urban-Global Public Health
Director, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS)
Rutgers School of Public Health
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This summer, we offered our “Food and Mediterranean Culture” course in Athens, Nafplion, and Kalamata, Greece!
Students learned about the various components of the Mediterranean Diet, its health, economic, social, and environmental considerations, and trade-offs, as well as how to measure its adherence. Through a combination of in-class lectures and experiential learning, students gained a deep understanding of the historical, cultural, and culinary aspects of food production and consumption in the Mediterranean region.
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This summer, the school once again held PHocus (Public Health: Outbreaks, Communities, and Urban Studies) to introduce high school students to the interdisciplinary field of public health, as well as to promote population and individual health.
Developed and led by Laura Liang, associate dean of academic affairs (a health educator) and Marian Passannante, associate dean for educational program development and global programs (an epidemiologist), PHocus instruction involves active learning in large groups coupled with small group activities which makes the program engaging for students entering high school through recent high school graduates.
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Featured Research & Reports | |
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As with many toxins, exposure to the toxic metal cadmium during pregnancy can adversely impact fetal development. Now, researchers led by Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, an assistant professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, think they’re beginning to understand how the metal inflicts its damage: by disrupting placental hormones that regulate pregnancy physiology. Learn More
The majority of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) treat the chronic and progressive neurological disorder with oral medications, likely because of many factors, including convenience, consumer advertising and approval by health insurers, according to researchers led by Mackenzie Henderson, a postdoctoral researcher at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research and Rutgers School of Public Health alum. Learn More
Black adults – particularly Black women – with higher levels of education and experiences of discrimination and crime are more likely to own a firearm, according to a study by Rutgers School of Public Health and New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center researchers. Learn More
When it comes to disaster response and recovery operations, it is crucial that workers are prepared before there is an emergency, according to researches led by Mitchel Rosen, an associate professor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health and director of the Center for Public Health Workforce Development. Learn More
Nanoscale plastic particles like those that permeate most food and water pass from pregnant rats to their unborn children and may impair fetal development, according to research led by said Philip Demokritou, the Henry Rutgers Chair and professor in nanoscience and environmental bioengineering at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Learn More
Rutgers scientists - who are part of the Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center at the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute and the Rutgers School of Public Health - examined the physical and chemical attributes as well as the possible toxicological health effects of the Canadian wildfires that sharply impacted air quality in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. They found the air being breathed in New Jersey and New York could be compared to the second-hand smoke in bars before smoking was banned. Learn More
About half of cigarette smokers and young adult non-smokers think that nicotine-based electronic cigarettes have the same amount or even more harmful chemicals than regular tobacco-based cigarettes, according to Rutgers School of Public Health and Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies researchers. Learn More
*This section highlights select research and reports from the
Rutgers School of Public Health. This is not a complete list.*
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Meet Tina Dharamdasani, a PhD in epidemiology student. Dharamdasani’s research focuses on disparities in breast cancer prevention and their impact on cancer prognosis and outcomes. She recently received the Scholar-in-Training Award from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to attend their Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and Medically Underserved Conference. At this conference, she will present a poster on South Asian breast cancer survivor cohort data, which she will also use as part of her doctoral work.
“It is an honor and a milestone in my academic journey,” says Dharamdasani on receiving the award. “This recognition not only symbolizes the invaluable guidance and support that I receive from my mentors - Dr. Jaya Satagopan and Dr. Elisa Bandera - but also serves as a catalyst for my long-term goal of being an independent researcher contributing meaningfully to the field.”
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Jon-Patrick Allem, PhD
Associate Professor
Dept. of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy
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Ellen Francis, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dept. Dept. of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
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Elizabeth Handorf, PhD
Associate Professor
Dept. of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
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Kymberle Landrum Sterling, DrPH
Associate Professor
Dept. of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy
Assistant Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion for Faculty & Talent Development
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Lan Luo, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
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Emily Merchant, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Urban-Global Public Health
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Megan Rockafellow-Baldoni, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice
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The Rutgers School of Public Health's responsive, modern, and user-friendly website launched in April of 2023. The project was led by the school’s Office for Marketing and Communication and Office for Information Technology in collaboration with Rutgers University and NewCity, an outside digital marketing agency. Since the website's launch, user engagement, duration, and interaction has doubled. | |
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Slawa Rokicki, assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, discusses how raising the minimum wage benefits the health of poor mothers and their babies. Read Bloomberg
Laura Lindberg, professor in the Department of Urban-Global Public Health, discusses a new study that found many schools don’t provide students with, or refer them to, any sort of contraceptives, including condoms. Read EdWeek
Perry N. Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health, discuses the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine. Watch NJSpotlight News
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The Office of Career Services is excited to host their third-annual Opportunities October, an intellectual wellness-focused series of events and programs. Students and alumni will have the opportunity to attend career exploration panels, workshops, and sessions including:
- Career goal-setting and passion planning workshops with Career Services,
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Trends Talks, a group career advising series co-hosted by Career Services, our Academic Support Counselors, and department faculty/staff,
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Our annual Thinking About Law School? panel for students interested in careers in public health law, and
- Public health employer info sessions
Students can visit the school's Career Services Connect Canvas page for all registration links. Faculty and/or staff interested in attending or supporting these events should contact [email protected].
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Image Credit: Raymond Clinkscale | |
Upcoming Application Deadlines | |
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Looking to apply to the Rutgers School of Public Health? Applications are available now!
- Fall 2024 Doctoral (PhD & DrPH) deadline: December 1, 2023
- Spring 2024 MPH and MS HOPE priority deadline: October 15, 2023
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Upcoming Events
Attend one of our virtual sessions to learn more about all that the Rutgers School of Public Health has to offer! Not able to attend the events listed below? Check out our Admissions Events webpage to see a full listing of all upcoming events.
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Open House: Wednesday November 1, 2023 11:00am – 1:00 pm
Speak directly with program faculty, admissions, current students, and so much more!
Hear from the Office of Admissions about the application process and ways to strengthen your application!
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Image Credit: Raymond Clinkscale | |
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Get Cozy for Fall!
- Free domestic shipping
- New items, like 40 oz. tumbler and bucket hats
- Classics, like quarter zip and hoodie in new colors
- Sale closes Oct. 3, 2023, orders will ship in November
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Image Credit: Adobe Stock Photos | |
Check out the Rutgers School of Public Health's event calendar to learn about and/or join various events hosted, co-hosted, or supported by the school. You can submit an event for consideration on the calendar here. | |
Rutgers School of Public Health | |
683 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, NJ 08854
732-235-9700
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One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 1020
Newark, NJ 07102
973-972-7212
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