USF College of Public Health Monday Letter, June 9

Features

USF Sunshine ERC and Activist Lab team up to elevate occupational health education

The USF College of Public Health is strengthening its commitment to workforce well-being through collaboration between its Activist Lab and the Sunshine Education and Research Center. The partnership is helping prepare students to engage with real-world public health challenges while promoting safer, healthier working environments across Florida and the nation.

MPH student paves the way as first enrollee in COPH’s community nutrition concentration

Lindsay Thompson didn’t plan on being the first. But as the inaugural student in the COPH's community nutrition concentration, she’s found a new passion and a fresh start.

USF Health explores the potential for a healthier region

Researchers, students and faculty at USF’s College of Public Health (COPH) might be a tightly knit group in Tampa, but their voice is heard internationally.

6 things to know about Dr. Sten Vermund, our new College of Public Health dean

In January, Dr. Sten Vermund joined the university as dean of the COPH, as well as Distinguished University Health Professor and senior associate vice president of USF Health. Also the chief medical officer of the Global Virus Network, he brings four decades of infectious disease epidemiology and prevention experience to his new role.

Research

COPH lab teaches students the fine points of causal inference

We all use the phrase cause and effect, but do we really know what it means and how it applies to our daily lives?

USF trio makes impact at public health symposium

Being safe from environmental risk is essential to our society, and three students from USF’s College of Public Health (COPH) want to keep people focused on their personal well-being.

Accolades

Not all heroes wear scrubs: Meet the industrial hygienist keeping us safe

Dr. Jason Garcia’s journey to a career in public health at the COPH didn’t begin in a lecture hall. It began at his first job as a microbiologist witha Nestlé plant. As he worked to prevent recalls and outbreaks, he realized that his efforts had a name: public health.

Take Note

Featured Media

Working together to make community and policy changes a reality

Advocation: Change It Up! Is a podcast by the COPH's Activist Lab. In this episode, they speak with Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Victor Crist. They discuss his background, career and how working together across the aisle and with communities can bring about lasting change.

View all media

Upcoming Events

COPH Alumni Society: In Your Neighborhood San Antonio!

Wednesday, June 11

COPH Alumni Society: Virtual Yoga

Thursday, June 12

Single Cell RNA-seq Training Series: Computational Workshop

June 12-13

COPH Length of Service Ceremony and 40th Anniversary Year in Review

Tuesday, June 17

COPH Recruitment: AUPHA Annual Meeting

June 17-19

COPH Recruitment: HOSA International Leadership Conference

June 18-21

USF Zombie Disaster Camp

June 23-27

Bulls & Brews: An Atlanta Alumni Chapter Mixer

Tuesday, June 24

Uncovering How Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Hijacks Cells: The Key Role of the LDL Receptor in Its Replication

Wednesday, June 25

Virtual Interest Meeting- COPH Alumni Society

Thursday, June 26

Global Virus Network’s Global Guardians:

Youth for Pandemic Preparedness

July 23-25

View all events

Grant Award Shout Out

Dr. Abraham Salinas and colleagues received a $125,000 Priority Research Award from the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. Reportedly, domestic violence is among the top three reasons why children are placed into Hillsborough County’s child welfare system. With this funding, the research team will develop policy recommendations, training for child welfare workers and/or improved services that directly benefit families and children affected by intimate partner violence.

Media Mentions

H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak: Experts warn of potential pandemic virus spreading across the US — check infectivity, risks, and more

The Economic Times/Health World - April 30, 2025

Experts discuss health effects of artificial food dyes amid US phase-out efforts

Scripps News - May 6, 2025

This Common Reheating Mistake Can Spread Dangerous Bacteria

Parade Magazine - June 1, 2025

Commentary: Post-mortem pregnancy is about brain death, not abortion

Orlando Sentinel - June 1, 2024

Class Notes

Nicole Brasseur, MPH, is a community health analytics program manager at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Aimee R. Eden, MPH, is the director of the National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research at Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Jovana Hoti, MPH, CPH, CIC, is the director of infection prevention at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital.

Kishan Patel, MHA, is an administrative fellow at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia.

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University of South Florida College of Public Health

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