Do we really need to worry about red dye number 3 now that it has been banned? “Not really,” says Liberty Vittert, PhD, professor of the practice of data Science at Olin and Public Health Faculty Scholar, in an opinion piece she wrote for The Hill.
Category: Faculty Scholar in the News
Public Health Faculty Scholars honored (Links to an external site)
Several of IPH’s interdisciplinary Public Health Faculty Scholars, who engage daily in innovative public health research, practice, advocacy & education, have recently received awards & honors amplifying their work.
WashU Public Health Ideas with Matthew Kreuter (Links to an external site)
As part of Public Health Ideas, WashU School of Public Health Dean Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH, talked with Matthew Kreuter, PhD, professor & public health faculty scholar, about his research & paper on repeated exposure to COVID-19 misinformation.
NIH awards $10 million to study human virome (Links to an external site)
Public Health Faculty Scholars Gautam Dantas, PhD, & Megan Baldridge, MD, PhD, have received a five-year, $5.2 million dollar NIH grant for research on bacteriophages, viruses which infect bacteria, to study the roles they play in the gut microbiome.
Fizz Bump: The case for fermented foods (Links to an external site)
Yin Cao, ScD, associate professor & Public Health Faculty Scholar, explains why fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, miso and kombucha can improve digestion and help relieve digestive issues.
Three faculty members awarded $3 million NIMH grant for HIV prevention in Africa (Links to an external site)
Public Health Faculty Scholars & Brown School faculty Fred Ssewamala, PhD, & Proscovia Nabunya, PhD, received a $3 million research grant from the NIMH to study oral PrEP access, initiation & adherence in adolescent girls & young women in Uganda
Violence against women and girls research: Leveraging gains across disciplines (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar Lindsay Stark, DrPH, professor & associate dean for global strategy & programs, Brown School, is co-author of a Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences article on research studying violence against women and girls.
Ozempic’s health benefits keep growing, but are the risks worth it? (Links to an external site)
“GLP-1s have many benefits for at least 42 conditions beyond weight loss – from addiction disorders to memory/cognition problems, blood clots, and infections,” says lead study author & public health faculty scholar Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, about his research on 2 million GLP-1 users.
Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs may lower risk of 42 health conditions, but also pose risks (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, assistant professor of medicine, explains how his published research evaluated the risks and benefits of GLP-1 drugs across 175 possible health outcomes, finding that the drugs decreased risks of 42 negative health outcomes.
Taking Ozempic for weight loss? You might find other benefits, too – and a few risks (Links to an external site)
Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, asst prof of medicine & public health faculty scholar, co-authored a study published in Nature finding benefits to cognitive & behavioral health, but increased risks for certain conditions, in 2 million people with diabetes taking popular weight-loss drugs.
Researchers Hammond and Shields receive awards, opportunities to expand research (Links to an external site)
Public Health Faculty Scholars J. Gmerice Hammond, MD, asst prof of medicine, & Morgan Shields, PhD, asst prof, Brown School, & collaborators with WashU’s Ctr for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research, have recently received honors.
WashU Public Health Ideas with Ross Brownson (Links to an external site)
As part of Public Health Ideas, WashU School of Public Health Dean Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH, talks with public health faculty scholar & professor Ross Brownson, PhD, about his research paper on misimplementation that occurs in public health agencies.
Study identifies benefits, risks linked to popular weight-loss drugs (Links to an external site)
Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, asst prof of medicine & public health faculty scholar, co-authored a study published in Nature finding benefits to cognitive & behavioral health, but increased risks for certain conditions, in 2 million people with diabetes taking popular weight-loss drugs.
Weight-loss drugs may boost health in many ways (Links to an external site)
Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, asst prof of medicine & public health faculty scholar, is lead researcher on a study using data from US veterans with type 2 diabetes – given Ozempic or Wegovy or standard drugs – to assess how weight-loss drugs affect human health.
Five early signs of dementia with one you may spot at night (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar Ganesh Babulal, PhD, OTD, assoc prof of neurology, is quoted in an article listing five early signs of dementia, saying that difficulty driving can be one of the first signs – even years before other symptoms are visible.
Self-management skill, sense of purpose go hand-in-hand (Links to an external site)
Patrick Hill, PhD, professor, Psychological & Brain Sciences, & public health faculty scholar, co-authored a study published in Personality & Individual Differences that tied sense of purpose research to social-emotional & behavioral skill development.
Engineering better sleep (Links to an external site)
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.
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.
Announcing Our 2025 Energy Award Recipients! (Links to an external site)
Amy Eyler, PhD, professor, Brown School. & public health faculty scholar, is one of three Energy Award recipients from Girls on the Run St. Louis for being a dedicated volunteer & advocate.
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
One of the World’s Largest Refugee Populations, Afghans Have Faced Increasing Restrictions in Iran (Links to an external site)
Public Health Faculty Scholar Mitra Naseh, PhD, assistant professor, Brown School, contributed an article on Afghans facing increased restrictions in Iran to the Migration Information Source, the online journal of the Migration Policy Institute.
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.
6 Useful Tips for Black Dads in America’s Black Maternal Mortality Crisis (Links to an external site)
Public health faculty scholar Jesse A. Davis, MD, instructor, Department of Pediatrics, shares suggestions on how Black fathers can navigate pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care & advocate for their partner’s care.
Supporting cardiomyopathy screening behavior in adult survivors of childhood cancer: an eHealth motivational interviewing-framed pilot intervention (Links to an external site)
Public Health Faculty Scholar Erika Waters, PhD, is first author for Supporting cardiomyopathy screening behavior in adult survivors of childhood cancer: an eHealth motivational interviewing-framed pilot intervention, published in Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice.
Colditz Honored for Contributions to Breast Cancer Research (Links to an external site)
The Institute for Public Health’s deputy director & public faculty 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.
Building School Belonging for Newcomer Students: Insights from the SALaMA Study (Links to an external site)
Ilana Seff, DrPH, research assistant professor, Brown School, & public health faculty scholar, was featured on Qatar Foundation International’s All Things Arabic Podcast discussing the Study of Adolescent Lives after Migration to America (SALaMA).
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.
Associations Between Patient Characteristics and Progression to Multiple Myeloma Among Patients With Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: A Systematic Review (Links to an external site)
Public Health Faculty Scholar Su-Hsin Chang, PhD, co-authored Associations between patient characteristics & progression to multiple myeloma among patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: A systematic review, published in Clin. Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk.
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.