Bridging Gaps in Neurological Research 

Bethany Huinker 2nd year MS Epidemiology “From a young age, I have been driven by a passion to seek out answers and understand the complexities of health. Yet, growing up with a rare neurological condition meant that many of the answers I sought were unavailable. Living with a disease that few people have heard of—and even […] Published November 5, 2024

November Student Spotlight

Madi Wahlen She/Her Program: PhD/MSTP Hometown: Rochester, MN Field(s) of interest: Cancer Epidemiology, Urology Topic or title of thesis, dissertation, or current project: “Impacts of BCG Shortages: Investigating Patient Access, Patterns of Care, and Disease Recurrence for Patients with Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer” Quickfire Queries: What are 3 essential items you recommend to survive grad […] Published November 1, 2024

November Faculty Spotlight

Dr. John Flunker Hometown: St. Louis, MO Alma mater: University of Kentucky, University of Missouri-St. Louis Field(s) of research: Environmental Epidemiology Topic or title of current project(s): “Respiratory health effects resulting from co-exposure to extreme heat and wildfire smoke” Quickfire Queries: Songs I listen to while working on research: Published November 1, 2024

Epi Student Achievement Updates

Join us in celebrating the recent achievements of our epidemiology students, who are making waves in public health through their impactful research, publications, awards, and other innovations. Awards & Contributions Joy Edeh MS, 2nd-year Amir Ghanbari PhD, 3rd-year Maleeha Naseem PhD, 3rd-year Morgan Wolff PhD, 4th-year R Package: dietaryindex/R/DII_DHQ3.R Publications Presentations Published November 1, 2024

Being a Parent in Grad School

I started my PhD the same day my youngest started daycare. I packed up her diapers, her bottles, and her extra clothes, as well as my backpack, pumping bag, and lunch box, and dropped my 6-week-old off in her classroom. After shedding a few tears, I went to my first day of orientation. My journey […] Published November 1, 2024

Platt to speak in UI Upstream Lecture Series Nov. 20

Jonathan Platt, assistant professor of epidemiology, will discuss “Motherhood, Work, and Health: Challenges and Potential Policy Solutions,” in the next Upstream Approach to Healthcare Lecture Series on Nov. 20, from noon to 1 p.m.  Published October 31, 2024

Pentella comments on E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s

Michael Pentella, clinical professor of epidemiology and director of the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa, recently commented on the outbreak of E. coli infections linked to McDonald's. According to Pentella, this strain, E. coli O157, is “a very specific type of E. coli that produce[s] this toxin,” a shiga toxin that leads to gastrointestinal distress and can escalate to a potentially fatal condition known as hemolytic uremic syndrome. (KGAN) Published October 29, 2024

Charlton discusses Iowa’s high cancer rate

Health care professionals recently gathered at the Iowa Cancer Summit in Ankeny to discuss Iowa’s high cancer rate. "[T]he single biggest, most effective change that we could make in Iowa is to raise the tobacco tax by over $1,” said Mary Charlton, a University of Iowa epidemiology professor and principal investigator of the Iowa Cancer Registry. (Multiple sources) Published October 17, 2024

October Student Spotlight

Yamam Hussien MPH/U2G ESA First-Year Representative She/her/hers Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa Field(s) of Interest: Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Cancer Epidemiology, and Chronic Disease Quickfire Queries: This or That: Funny costumes Spooky costumes Be able to fly Be able to breathe underwater Be taken to the lowest point of the ocean in a submersible Be flown […] Published October 4, 2024

October Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Mary Charlton She/her/hers Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska Alma mater: University of Iowa x3 Field(s) of Research: Cancer Epidemiology Quickfire Queries: This or That: Funny costumes Spooky costumes Be able to fly Be able to breathe underwater Be taken to the lowest point of the ocean in a submersible* Be flown to outer space in a […] Published October 4, 2024