Erik Herzog, PhD, professor of biology & public health faculty scholar, is collaborating with researchers who are developing a mathematical tool to help design light schedules that will improve sleep patterns in younger and older people.
Author: External Media Source
Profiles of Purpose: Advancing aging research (Links to an external site)
Profiles of Purpose, a video series celebrating the Brown School’s 100 years of impact, featured public health faculty scholar Nancy Morrow-Howell, PhD, co-director, Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging, highlighting the school’s leadership in gerontology and aging research.
Connecting the dots (Links to an external site)
An article highlighting the Breast Cancer Program at Siteman Cancer Ctr, in the Autumn 2024 issue of Outlook, mentions Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, IPH’s deputy director & public health faculty scholar, whose studies help identify women at high risk.
This Health Condition Could Be Making You a Riskier Driver (Links to an external site)
“Depression has been linked to cognitive impairments, such as diminished reaction time, executive function, and divided attention, which are critical for safe driving,” says public health faculty scholar Ganesh M. Babulal, PhD, OTD, lead author of research published in JAMA Network Open.
Ssewamala, Nabunya named 2025 SSWR Fellows (Links to an external site)
Fred Ssewamala, PhD, Proscovia Nabunya, PhD, Brown School, & Mary McKay, PhD, executive vice provost, & public health faculty scholars, have been named 2025 Fellows of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR).
Immune-targeted approach helps control tuberculosis in mice (Links to an external site)
Research co-authored by public health faculty scholar & professor Christina Stallings, PhD, could lead to new and more-effective therapies for TB combining traditionally used antibiotics with drugs that boost the immune response to infection.
WashU Expert: How to make resolutions that stick (Links to an external site)
An article mentions past research by public health faculty scholar & professor Patrick Hill, PhD, which demonstrated how first semester college students with higher purposefulness have increased use of problem-solving skills & higher self-confidence
Brain structure differences provide clues to substance use risks (Links to an external site)
Ryan Bogdan, PhD, professor, Psychological & Brain Sciences, & public health faculty scholar, co-authored research published in JAMA Network Open about specific features of brain structure that may contribute to substance use initiation in adolescents.
Providing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants improves birth outcomes, research shows (Links to an external site)
Margot Moinester, PhD, assistant professor of sociology, Arts & Sciences, & public health faculty scholar, co-authored an article explaining how state immigration policies – even those not related to health – can affect immigrant families’ health and well-being.
Mysterious ‘chemical smelling’ fog is making people across the US sick (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar Rudolf Husar, PhD, professor, School of Engineering & Applied Science, is quoted in an article explaining a ‘chemical smelling’ fog that people in parts of the US report is making them sick.
A public health crisis: Newly published study assesses firearm reinjury among children (Links to an external site)
A 10-year WashU study, recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine & co-authored by three public health faculty scholars, examines factors associated with recurrent firearm injury among children who experience nonfatal injury in St. Louis.
Is the American Dream achievable? These students are examining its promises and pitfalls (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar & professor Steven Fazzari, PhD, co-authored an article about the interdisciplinary WashU class he co-teaches, “Economic Realities of the American Dream,” helping students grasp the meaning & reality of the American Dream.
Using Genetics to Prevent Lung Cancer (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholars Li-Shiun Chen, MD, ScD, director, Tobacco Treatment Program, & Alex Ramsey, PhD, assoc professor of psychiatry, & colleagues, are studying genetic information from smokers to identify optimal treatment options.
Colditz Honored for Contributions to Breast Cancer Research (Links to an external site)
The Institute for Public Health’s deputy director & public health scholar, Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, received the Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction in Population Science for leading critical advancements in breast cancer prevention and treatment.
Naseh awarded grant to improve refugee health in Missouri (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar Mitra Naseh, PhD, assistant professor, Brown School, received a 3 year $463,654 grant from the MO Foundation for Health to develop community-led solutions that will improve health outcomes for newly resettled refugees.
Cabassa to deliver 2025 Aaron Rosen Lecture at SSWR conference (Links to an external site)
Leopoldo Cabassa, PhD, professor, Brown School, & public health faculty scholar, has been selected to present the 2025 Aaron Rosen Lecture – one of the highest honors in social work research – at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference
The Art of Microbial Disguise (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar Jennifer Philips, MD, PhD, professor & co-director, Infectious Diseases Division, describes what makes Mycobacterium tuberculosis a very unique bacterium & her research to understand host factors required for its survival.
Why do so many Americans get their health care claims denied? (Links to an external site)
Timothy McBride, PhD, co-director of the Ctr for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research & public health faculty scholar, explains in a Marketplace Morning Report why so many Americans are getting health care claims denied.
Goodbye to time changes? Donald Trump says he will push to end daylight saving time (Links to an external site)
“The medical and scientific communities are unified … that permanent standard time is better for human health,” says public health faculty scholar Erik Herzog, professor of biology, in a USA TODAY article on Trump’s wish to end daylight saving time.
Brain tumors hijack circadian clock to grow (Links to an external site)
“Glioblastoma takes its cues from hormones released by the same central clock in the host that establishes the body’s regular daily rhythms,” says Erik Herzog, PhD, professor of biology & public health faculty scholar, senior author of a study published in Cancer Cell.
‘High-Intensity Drinking’ Is Even Worse Than Binge Drinking, Experts Say (Links to an external site)
Holidays can sometimes contribute to a troubling trend – high-intensity drinking (HID). Laura Bierut, MD, professor of psychiatry, & public health faculty scholar, explains the difference between high intensity drinking and binge drinking.
Three Brown School scholars named to highly cited researchers list (Links to an external site)
Brown School faculty members & public health faculty scholars Ross Brownson, PhD, Enola Proctor, PhD, & Byron J. Powell, PhD, have been recognized as Highly Cited Researchers 2024 by Clarivate, an analytics company.
Scientists collect ‘microbial fingerprints’ found in household plumbing (Links to an external site)
Fangqiong Ling, PhD, assistant professor, School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, & public health faculty scholar, co-authored a paper, published in Nature Water, on bacteria populations in bathroom faucets of St. Louis area households.
McBride honored for rural health advocacy (Links to an external site)
Tim McBride, PhD, co-director, CAHSPER, & public health faculty scholar, received the 2024 Rural Excellence in Advocacy Award from the Missouri Rural Health Association, for the exceptional impact that he has made to healthcare in rural MO for 30+ years.
15 slang words Gen Zers are using in 2024 and what they really mean (Links to an external site)
“The emergence of social media has created a situation where the potential for slang virality has increased,” said John Baugh, PhD, professor, Arts & Sciences, & public health faculty scholar, in an article explaining Gen Z slang words.
AI Reads Multiple Mammograms to Help Predict Breast Cancer Risk (Links to an external site)
Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, deputy director, IPH, & public health faculty scholar, is senior author of a recent study published in JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, finding that AI identified women at risk of developing breast cancer more accurately than standard screening methods.
Analyzing multiple mammograms improves breast cancer risk prediction (Links to an external site)
“We are seeking ways to improve early detection, since that increases the chances of successful treatment,” said Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, deputy director, IPH, & public health faculty scholar, & senior author of a recent study published in JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, finding that AI identified women at risk of developing breast cancer more accurately than standard screening methods.
Making Time for Our Health During the Holidays (Links to an external site)
Deputy director, IPH, & public health faculty scholar Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH, gives us tips to improve our physical and mental energy, helping us enjoy all of the Holidays.
The potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy (Links to an external site)
“Psychedelic drugs have enormous potential to help people whom we can’t currently help, but the only way to turn that potential into reality is to conduct scientific research,” says Ginger Nicol, MD, associate professor, Psychiatry, & public health faculty scholar, in an article about WashU Medicine research on psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Halting hidden hunger (Links to an external site)
Lora Iannotti, PhD, professor, Brown School, & public health faculty scholar, is teaming with researchers at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador to study how improved maternal diet affects infant brains and influences children’s growth.
Brantmeier to serve on national Fulbright committee (Links to an external site)
Cindy Brantmeier, PhD, professor, Applied Linguistics, International & Area Studies, & public health faculty scholar, has been invited by the U.S. Department of State & Institute of International Education to serve on the national screening committee for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
Asymptomatic Incidence of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Preclinical Duration to Myeloma Diagnosis: A Modeling Study (Links to an external site)
Su-Hsin Chang, PhD, associate professor of surgery & public health faculty scholar, co-authored “Asymptomatic incidence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and preclinical duration to myeloma diagnosis: A modeling study” in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
The Biden Administration Made A Big Decision On Ozempic, But RFK Jr. Could Tank It (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar and professor of law Rachel Sachs, JD, is quoted in a HuffPost article on how RFK Jr. will be the one deciding who can gain access to breakthrough anti-obesity medications – affecting the lives of millions of Americans.
AI could burn you out (Links to an external site)
An article on AI burnout mentions The Center for Health AI, established by WashU Medicine & BJC Health System, & co-led by public health faculty scholar Philip Payne, PhD, to prepare medical residents & students for a workforce where AI is increasingly playing a central role in patient care.
Cabassa to deliver 2025 Aaron Rosen Lecture at SSWR conference (Links to an external site)
Leopoldo Cabassa, PhD, professor, Brown School, & public health faculty scholar, has been selected to present the 2025 Aaron Rosen Lecture – one of the highest honors in social work research – at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference.
Weight loss drugs could soon be covered by Medicare and Medicaid (Links to an external site)
Rachel Sachs, JD, professor of law and Public Health Faculty Scholar, talks about why Medicare and Medicaid coverage does not include obesity drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, while a guest on NPR’s All Things Considered.
Lateef wins grant to study Afrocentric strengths in Black youth education (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar Husain Lateef, PhD, assistant professor, Brown School, received a two-year grant from the Brady Education Foundation for research on how Afrocentric socialization events impact academic achievement among Black adolescents.
McBride honored for rural health advocacy (Links to an external site)
Tim McBride, PhD, co-director, CAHSPER, & public health faculty scholar, received the 2024 Rural Excellence in Advocacy Award from the Missouri Rural Health Association, for the exceptional impact he has made to healthcare in rural MO for 30+ years.
Advisory: Heart health plummeting in rural areas in SD and nationwide (Links to an external site)
Karen Joynt Maddox, MD, co-director, Ctr for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research, & public health faculty scholar, talks about the causes for the increasing cardiovascular health disparities in rural locations.
ICC issues arrest warrant for Israel’s Netanyahu, former defense minister Gallant (Links to an external site)
Leila Sadat, JD, professor of international criminal law & public health faculty scholar, spoke on NPR’s Here & Now about arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu & former Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant.
Shades of blue (Links to an external site)
Ross Brownson, PhD, professor of public health & public health faculty scholar, says that the blue zones recommendations are “good, safe messages”, but he has issues with their advice on alcohol consumption and no mention of smoking
How winter fruits like cranberries can brighten days and bolster health (Links to an external site)
Yin Cao, ScD, associate professor of surgery and public health faculty scholar explains why cranberries, which are high in antioxidants, should be included in your regular diet and not only eaten during the holidays.
Probiotic delivers anticancer drug to the gut (Links to an external site)
“Our hope is that one day the probiotic could be added to the arsenal of therapies to help shrink tumors in people,” said public health faculty scholar Gautam Dantas, PhD, professor and senior author of a study published in Cell Chemical Biology
Study reveals COVID-19’s impact on global city mobility (Links to an external site)
“COVID-19 created a global ‘natural experiment,’ giving us a unique opportunity to study real-time changes in urban mobility,” said Rodrigo Reis, professor, Brown School, & public health faculty scholar, about a study that he co-authored.
The main events: How scenes from life shape consciousness, build memories (Links to an external site)
Jeffrey Zacks, PhD, Chair, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences & public health faculty scholar, led a study to be published in PNAS Nexus that researched how the brain perceives, processes and remembers simple, everyday events & how it affects memory.
WashU faculty, alumni lead effort to repair harms caused by systemic racism in St. Louis (Links to an external site)
Carol Camp Yeakey, PhD, professor of arts & sciences, & public health faculty scholar, contributed to the St. Louis Reparations Commission’s report on St. Louis’ history of slavery & systemic discrimination.
32-Hour Workweek: How It Could Work and Who Is Advocating for It (Links to an external site)
Liberty Vittert, PhD, professor & public health faculty scholar, who testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions in March, is quoted in an article about legislation calling for a 32-hour workweek.
Study reveals COVID-19’s impact on global city mobility (Links to an external site)
Rodrigo Reis, PhD, professor, Brown School, & public health faculty scholar, co-authored a study published in The Lancet Public Health showing how the COVID-19 pandemic changed mobility patterns worldwide.
Food aid interventions can curb climate change-induced hardship. But should they do more? (Links to an external site)
“Because USAID’s investments can be so consequential for receiving countries, it’s important they’re done right,” said Lora Iannotti, PhD, professor, Brown School, & public health faculty scholar, in an AP article on effective food aid programs.
WashU Medicine, BJC Health System launch Center for Health AI (Links to an external site)
Philip R.O. Payne, PhD, professor of medicine and public health faculty scholar will lead the new Center for Health AI, launched by WashU Medicine & BJC Health System to utilize AI technologies for more efficient health care.