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Dear friends and colleagues,
In a world full of distractions and challenges, our faculty, staff, and students continue to push boundaries and deliver impactful work. A few statistics from FY25:
- Faculty submitted 77 proposals totaling $17 million
- We on-boarded 2 new assistant professors
- Graduate student enrollment has held steady in the ~90 range
Beyond the numbers, we've been intentional about building community within our department. Our monthly coffee gatherings have become a cherished space for connection, where we come together not just as colleagues but as people who enjoy creating alongside one another. These gatherings have featured seasonal craft-making and, in a particularly memorable session, a trip to the Epi library where we crafted book spine poetry (pictured above):
This issue celebrates the remarkable productivity and innovation happening every day in the Department of Epidemiology. From groundbreaking research on brain health and road safety to reaffirming the safety of maternal vaccinations, their efforts speak volumes about resilience and dedication.
Betsy Chrischilles
e-chrischilles@uiowa.edu
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Shoshannah Eggers, assistant professor of epidemiology, is part of a research team that found a compelling link between the composition of the gut microbiome and the risk of cognitive impairment in adults, underscoring the complex role that both biology and social determinants—such as food insecurity—play in brain health. You can read the research paper here.
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Iowa researchers, including Cara Hamann, associate professor of epidemiology, are studying how to make roads and traffic safer for all ages. Whether we’re crossing a street as a pedestrian, riding a bike, or driving a vehicle, navigating traffic can be complex. Researchers in the College of Public Health are studying different aspects of road safety and how to prevent injuries throughout the […]
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Meet Brian Gryzlak, program director in the Department of Epidemiology. In this new video, Brian shares his journey from research assistant to leading complex, multi-site clinical studies and talks about the human side of research, where teamwork and trust are just as critical as data and design.
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The Department of Epidemiology is pleased to welcome assistant professor Dr. Timileyin Adediran, PhD, MPH, CIC, who joined the faculty in November 2025.
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A new University of Iowa research study examining possible associations between maternal influenza vaccination and a host of major structural birth defects reaffirms the safety of the vaccination during early pregnancy. The study was led by Paul Romitti, University of Iowa Distinguished Chair, professor of epidemiology, and director of the Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders.
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Professor Paul R. Pomrehn passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 6, 2025. He received an MD degree from the University of Iowa in 1975 and an MS degree from the UI Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health (now part of the College of Public Health) in 1979. He held numerous academic leadership roles at the UI and made significant contributions to training clinicians and practitioners in preventive medicine and community health.
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Student Stories
A new study led by Amir Ghanbari, a PhD student in the Department of Epidemiology, offers insights into the safety of cycling routes used by students commuting to school.
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Maggie Meehan, undergraduate public health student, answers questions about her trip to Costa Rica this summer with a group of University of Iowa students and epidemiology assistant professors Nichole Nidey and Jonathan Platt to study maternal health issues in the migrant community. Nidey and Platt recently got additional funding to strengthen the maternal and child health curriculum, details of which can be found here.
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Alumni Stories
Two new University of Iowa studies examine negative life events and stressors that often precede suicide deaths in the U.S. Amanda Sursely, who graduated last spring from the Department of Epidemiology, led the studies as part of her PhD work.
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The University of Iowa College of Public Health has selected Victor Soupene (25PhD), a postdoctoral research scholar in the UI Departments of Occupational and Environmental Health and Emergency Medicine, as a 2025-2026 Policy Fellow. Victor also received a policy fellowship to enhance suicide prevention among law enforcement officers.
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