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Dear UCI Community,
It is an honor and a privilege to recognize our graduating Class of 2023, as it marks a milestone in their lives, a celebration of their accomplishments, and an end of one chapter and start of another. But let us not forget the responsibilities that lie ahead, particularly in their chosen field of public health.
A global pandemic, staggering rates of chronic disease, and systemic health inequities have exposed the vulnerabilities and inefficiencies of our public health systems. The urgent need for change and innovation has never been more apparent. Our UCI Public Health graduates, whether they received a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, are prepared to step up to the challenges of our time.
The responsibility to rebuild and strengthen public health falls upon their shoulders, and I have faith that they are up to the task. Our students were integral fixtures, working with faculty, at the frontline in our collective regional COVID-19 response. Even though the pandemic exposed the cracks in our public health infrastructure, it also taught our students invaluable lessons in resilience, adaptability, and collaboration.
Our graduates can take the skills and practice they learned during their time at UCI – scientific rigor, evidence-based interventions, and data-driven decision-making – to address the continuing public health challenges of our time.
One thing that I believe sets our graduates apart is the passion and drive to achieve health equity for all populations. We have instilled in them the idea that public health is not solely about treating diseases but also about addressing the social determinants of health and promoting equity and justice.
Our graduates are poised to redefine public health, to rewrite the narrative, and to create a future that is healthier, more resilient, and more equitable for all. Congratulations again to our Class of 2023 on their achievements, and may their journey be filled with purpose, resilience, and endless possibilities.
Sincerely,
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Bernadette Boden-Albala, MPH, DrPH
Director and Founding Dean
UCI Program in Public Health
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Dr. Ann Kurth is a certified nurse midwife, has a doctoral and master of public health degree in epidemiology, and is a champion for health equity and global health.
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Brittany Morey co-authored a paper on how anti-immigration policies led many families to suffer financially and mentally.
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Masashi Kitazawa and Michael Kleinman led study that showed exposure to particulate matter led to memory loss and cognitive decline, as well as increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in mouse models.
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Professor of population and public health, Lari Wenzel, retires after 27 years of service.
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Brandy Lipton published results that could inform state policymakers’ post-pandemic, decision-making efforts.
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David Timberlake and Denise Payán found that residents of jurisdictions with a comprehensive sales ban have a 30% reduced odds of using flavored tobacco relative to those living in a jurisdiction without a ban.
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Join UCI Public Health and the OC Women's Health Project for their 9th summit on a leading women's health topic. This year, we will explore the impact and implications for health equity resulting from the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson with keynote speaker Khiara M. Bridges, JD, PhD, from UC Berkeley School of Law. RSVP details coming soon!
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Bernadette Boden-Albala was a co-author and vice chair on a scientific statement from the American Heart Association: Strategies to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Inequities in Stroke Preparedness, Care, Recovery, and Risk Factor Control. (Stroke)
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Corresponding author Michael Hoyt and doctoral student Karen Llave published their findings on disparities in health-related quality of life among lesbian, gay, and bisexual cancer survivors. (Journal of Psychosocial Oncology)
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Guiyan Yan, Ming Chieh Lee, and Brook Jeang contributed to a publication that demonstrates that antibody levels of Plasmodium, a type of malaria, can be used to identify high-risk groups and geographical areas where interventions to reduce malaria transmission should be implemented. (American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
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Nicole Sparks was a corresponding author on a study that revealed the harmful effects of environmental toxicants on bone formation and the pathways impacted. (International Journal of Molecular Sciences)
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Kristina Uban and Vida Rebello, a doctoral candidate, published their perspective of how social determinants of health are missing in neuroscience research, and how integrating the concepts of SDOH, we can accelerate our understanding of the human brain. (Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience)
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Dean Boden-Ablala was named by the Orange County Business Journal's "50 Shaping the Future of Healthcare in OC." Boden-Albala was recognized for her part in helping educate and support the campus' some 37,600 students during the pandemic and for her leadership in transitioning a program to a School of Population and Public Health.
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At the beginning of May, Veronica Vieira served on the UC-systemwide 2023 Risk Summit, titled: Resilience Through Collaboration: Stronger Together - PFAS are emerging “forever” chemicals posing serious public health concerns.
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Jun Wu received a UCI SEA Change pilot grant to continue her funding for graduate students who are addressing environmental racism and health equity. Wu’s proposal was funded for its potential to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Karen Edwards was elected as the chair of the UCI Academic Senate Committee on equity and inclusion for the 2023-2024 Academic Year.
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Alexis Guerra, doctoral student of environmental health sciences, was part of the winning team to receive the top prize in Phase 2 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Video Challenge for Students.
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Shemms Najjar, MPH Class of 2023
As a featured graduate in the #IamUCI campaign, MPH student Shemms Najjar is a proud Anteater. The components of the sociocultural health and diversity track in the MPH degree program at UCI Public Health appealed to her because of its emphasis on understanding healthcare through the lenses of communities and real people.
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Patient Empowerment: Through the Eyes of a Cancer Survivor
UCI Public Health alumnus, Tin Tran, MPH '22, sheds light on inequities in cancer screening and diagnosis based on a first-hand experience.
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GIVING DAY a Huge Success for Public Health
Nearly $8,000 was raised from the 2023 GIVING Day Campaign, which came from 79 gifts. A special acknowledgement to our generous donors and friends who offered challenge gifts to motivate community support, including: Steve Thronson, Dean’s Community Advisory Council member; Anju Kulkarni, Public Health UCI Alum; Dr. Victoria Luong, UCI Alum; and the Ummethala Family.
Funds raised will go towards an Undergraduate Student Scholarship and a proposed Master of Public Health (MPH) Endowment.
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