Arnold School of Public Health

2023 News Archive

James Hébert honored with 2023 ASPPH Research Excellence Award

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) has named James Hébert, Health Sciences Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology, as the 2023 recipient of their Research Excellence Award.

The struggle for military fitness

USC reports on how Arnold School researchers are studying the health, financial and security costs of military readiness and how finding recruits who can meet physical fitness and weight requirements to begin military training is harder than ever before.

Improving internet access and outcomes

USC shares how university researchers, led by health services policy and management assistant professor Nabil Natafgi, are working to improve broadband availability across the state.

Language and cognitive development researcher Erin Smolak joins COMD

Erin Smolak has joined the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The assistant professor is also the director of the CLOuD Lab, where she researches children's language and cognitive development.

Former student body presidents: Where are they now?

USC catches up with past student body presidents, including public health alumna (2018) Taylor Wright, who now does public engagement for Secretary Pete Buttigieg improving public safety in the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Healthy Start program improves health behaviors, practices according to new research

The study found that the program resulted in significant reductions in inadequate prenatal care, large-for-gestational-age births, and inadequate weight gain during pregnancy as well as positive impacts on breast feeding and public service practices.

Toni Torres-McGehee wins national Athletic Trainer Service Award

The National Association of Athletic Trainers' Service Award recognizes recipients for their contributions to professional associations, community organizations, grassroots public relations efforts.

Staff Spotlight: Shania Johnson

As as an administrative assistant with the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johnson's favorite part about her position is the workflow, networking opportunities and the organized environment.

I Am Public Health: Emily Farrell

In addition to interests in nutrition, sleep and health behavior, Farrell has developed a passion for maternal and child health (MCH), earning an MCH Certificate of Graduate Study alongside her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology.

Children living in safe, supportive neighborhoods have better oral health

A study led by Elizabeth Crouch, associate professor of health services policy and management and director of the Rural and Minority Health Research Center, has found a connection between children's living conditions and their oral health.

Three doctoral candidates win 2023 Breakthrough Graduate Scholar Awards

Gabriel Benavidez (Epidemiology and Biostatistics), Maggie Carson (Environmental Health Sciences), and Valerie Yelverton (Health Services Policy and Management), are recipients of three of these prestigious honors.

Researchers help expand internet access for South Carolinians

Arnold School faculty, including health services policy and management assistant professor Nabil Natafgi, are partnering with the Broadband Office in the Office of Regulatory Staff to expand internet access in SC -- starting with a survey to assess needs.

USC researchers study how walking speed affects health

Stacy Fritz partners with engineering researchers to capture details about a person’s gait from the vibrations in their feet and then determine what variations in a person’s walking speed and step length can say about health changes and challenges.

National Academies appoints Melissa Nolan to Forum on Microbial Threats

Melissa Nolan, associate professor of epidemiology, has been selected to serve on the Forum on Microbial Threats for the National Academy of Medicine. The forum convenes leaders to discuss critical scientific and policy concerns related to infectious diseases.

New study to use mobile phones, social networks to increase HIV testing

Jan Ostermann, an associate professor in the Department of Health Services Policy and Management, has been awarded $374K from the National Institutes of Health's Fogerty International Center.

Chen Liang named DATA Scholar by National Institutes of Health

Highly selective, this program is designed to support data/computer scientists/engineers who improve public health by tackling challenges related to biomedical data.

Staff Spotlight: Zach Jenkins

As far as life missions go, Zach Jenkins' is simple and clear: to spread peace, love and joy to everyone he encounters. Fortunately, it's a goal he gets to work towards in both his personal and professional lives.

2022-2023 SPARC Graduate Research Grants awarded to 12 Arnold School graduate students

Graduate students from across the Arnold School have earned 2022-2023 SPARC Graduate Research Grants from the USC Office of the Vice President for Research to fund individual scholarship initiatives.

Arnold School faculty member wins national award for outstanding advising

Caleb Morris, an instructor in the Department of Exercise Science and an advisor within the Office of Undergraduate Services, has been honored with an Outstanding Advising Award from the National Academic Advising Association.

I Am Public Health: Anna Dunbar

After graduating with a Master of Health Administration degree in May, Anna Dunbar will serve as an Administrative Fellow, working with the executive leadership team on day-to-day operations at Prisma Health Richland Hospital.

Lessons from a leader: Public health alumnus explains how to build a career

Two-time Arnold School alumnus Billy Oglesby reflects on his career trajectory, including the two key types of mentors, the unique opportunities offered by USC and how a public health degree is your passport to the world.

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics to host day of celebration on February 17

Events will include a breakfast social, student poster session, dinner/silent auction, and symposium with Dean Thomas Chandler, Provost Donna Arnett, and former Chair/USC President Emeritus Harris Pastides.

Maggie Carson awarded Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

ENHS doctoral candidate Maggie Carson has been selected to join one of the most prestigious fellowship programs in her field. She will live and work in Washington D.C. as a fellow in the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Study seeks to understand aging-related decline among mothers who carry FMR1 premutation

Associate professor of communication sciences and disorders Jessica Klusek has been awarded $2.9 million from the National Institute on Aging to extend her research into the effects of the FMR1 premutation on mothers who carry it.

Rahul Ghosal brings functional, distributional data analysis expertise to Arnold School as assistant professor of biostatistics

The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics welcomed Rahul Ghosal to their ranks at the start of the academic year. The assistant professor specializes in developing statistical methods with applications in the health sciences/biosciences.

Danielle Varnedoe retires after 40 years with Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Danielle Varnedoe has more to celebrate than the start of a new year. This month, the director of the Montgomery Clinic will retire after four decades of service with COMD. She also recently welcomed her first grandchild.

Office of the Vice President for Research announces 2023 Breakthrough Award winners

Five Arnold School faculty members and three graduate students have been recognized with 2023 Breakthrough Awards. They have been honored with Breakthrough Leadership in Research, Breakthrough Star and Breakthrough Graduate Scholar Awards.

The scientific reasons you should resolve to start gardening in 2023

Arnold School scientists have contributed to new research on how community gardening increases fiber consumption and physical activity while decreasing stress and anxiety.

Staff Spotlight: Van Cornelius

Now in her ninth year, Cornelius is the business manager for the Arnold School's Center for Community Health Alignment, which is home to PASOs, the Community Health Worker Institute, and Equity through Meaningful Engagement.

Big Data Health Science Center engages students through diversity, equity and inclusion efforts

This year, the Center will expand their DEI efforts with a special focus on students. During their annual conference (February 10-11), they will host an Academic Career Development Luncheon for underrepresented minority students.

DAODAS Director Sara Goldsby, Gov. Henry McMaster Announce S.C. Center of Excellence in Addiction

Arnold School alum (MSW/MPH '15) Sara Goldsby has announced the creation of the SC Center of Excellence in Addiction, and HSPM associate professor and collaborator Christina Andrews weighs in on the importance of the endeavor.

Communication sciences and disorders department boosts auditory neuroscience expertise with arrival of Meisam Arjmandi

As an auditory neuroscientist, Arjmandi's expertise includes speech, hearing, and language as well as biomedical signal processing and cognitive sciences. His projects, which often involve cochlear implants, use principles and methods from a variety of areas.

I Am Public Health: Kaigan Benning

COMD student pursues M.S. in Speech-Language-Pathology using distance education path that enables her to work as a speech-language-pathologist assistant and make necessary moves as a military spouse.

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