VCU School of Public Health

The Epidemiology Seminars continue on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 12 p.m.

Ph.D. Candidate Jonathan Wells, M.H.S., will present "Leveraging Variant-Level Pleiotropy to Generate More Informative Polygenic Scores for MDD, AUD, and Comorbid MDD-AU."

Find us on Zoom:
us02web.zoom.us/j/8387708486...

Cholesterol Isn’t Just About Age or Diet, Hormones Matter Too For women, cholesterol levels spike at key hormonal moments from puberty to menopause. Here’s how to manage these peaks.

There's a real connection between women's cholesterol levels and their hormones, according to research by Samar El Khoudary, PH.D., M.P.H., professor & chair of the Department of Epidemiology and others featured in this article by Oprah Daily!
www.oprahdaily.com/life/health/...

VCU’s Wright Center Offers New Series to Help Researchers Communicate Their Impact If you don’t share your research, who will? Groundbreaking work only achieves its full potential when it is shared effectively, allowing it to live outside the lab and change the world. To help…

VCU CCTR offers a spring seminar series to help #researchers bridge the gap between academic study and real-world application.
Get started here: blogs.vcu.edu/cctr/2026/01...

Katherine Tossas, Ph.D., M.S., named to National Academies New Voices Program for Emerging Leaders 2026 Cohort Leadership

📢 Huge shout-out to Katherine Tossas, Ph.D., assistant professor of @sbs-vcu.bsky.social, for her selection to the New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2026 cohort!
www.masseycancercenter.org/news/2026/ka...

AI In Research Series New this academic year, the AI in Research series explores how generative AI is studied and used across VCU. The series is designed for faculty and advanced researchers.

Curious about how to use #AI in research safely and securely? VCU Libraries is offering a series this spring! The next session is Generative AI in Advertising Design on Feb. 11.

Get the details and register here: www.library.vcu.edu/about/events...

From discovery to treatment: Inside VCU’s clinical trials Cancer

🔬 Clinical trials are where science meets patient care. At VCU and VCU Health, nearly 700 active trials are advancing therapies—from gene therapies to new diagnostics—bringing innovation directly to patients. Learn how research translates into real-world impact.

www.vcuhealth.org/news/from-di...

The Biostatistics Research Seminar series continues with #VCUPublicHealth's Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D., on Friday, Feb. 6.

Join us at 12 p.m. at OCS or on Zoom.
Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Chats with the Chairs: Samar R. El Khoudary, Department of Epidemiology The School of Public Health department chairs share their perspectives about the mission, focus and future of each department. VCU’s School of Public Health brings together the departments of…

Chats with the Chairs is back with our newest department chair, Samar El Khoudary, Ph.D.

Dr. El Khoudary joined our Department of Epidemiology last fall and has already made an impact building a culture of trust and belonging.

Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 3 for our next seminar hosted by the Department of Epidemiology.
Dr. Lu and three Ph.D. students will discuss Linking U.S. Public Health Databases - Opportunities, Methods and Applications.

It starts at 12 p.m. in person or on Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/8387708486...

Virginia’s opioid crisis swept from the mountains to the cities. Hampton Roads sees both problems and progress. Virginia’s opioid crisis has carried a $5.2 billion price tag, with some of the highest per-resident costs now concentrated in cities like Portsmouth and across Hampton Roads.

Recent data from the VDH and VCU's Center on Society and Health illustrate how the #opioidcrisis impacts different communities across the Commonwealth.

@whropublicmedia.bsky.social highlight the areas of opportunity and progress, especially in Hampton Roads.
www.whro.org/health/2026-...

Meghan Tipre, Dr.P.H., named Massey Harrison Scholar A three-year, $150,000 fund will support Meghan Tipre, Dr.P.H., M.S.P.H., as she expands her research on how environmental factors influence health and cancer outcomes among populations served by…

Meghan Tipre, Dr.P.H., is as assistant professor of epidemiology, assistant director of the Catchment Area Data Analytics at @vcumassey.bsky.social and now...
a Massey Harrison Scholar!

Learn more about Tipre’s work and this remarkable achievement on our blog: blogs.vcu.edu/sph/2026/01/...

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the VCU Public Health Student Association is partnering with VPHA for a joint Legislative Advocacy Day! We can't wait to see what they learn and accomplish!
#VCUPublicHealth #PHSA #publichealthinaction #advocacyday #VAgeneralassembly

Not to stress you out, but graduation is in 106 days! We'll have more details soon, but for now, save the date for our #VCUPublicHealth graduation at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens on May 8, 2026.

#vcu #graduation #spring

The Department of Biostatistics is hosting an engaging series of research seminars this semester. Take a look and follow our page for details as each approaches.

#VCUPublicHealth #Biostatistics #PublicHealthResearch

Dr. Chloé Jones selected for VCU IRACDA Chloé Jones, Ph.D., M.S. has been with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences since 2024, when she began working as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Jessica LaRose’s OPT for Health lab. During…

Congratulations to Post-Doctoral Fellow Chloé Jones, Ph.D., M.S., recipient of VCU’s Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award! #VCUPublicHealth @sbs-vcu.bsky.social
blogs.vcu.edu/sbs/2026/01/...

On Friday, Jan. 23, the Department of Biostatistics will host alum Frank W. Rockhold, Ph.D. for their first seminar of the spring semester.

Join us! us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

The Department of Epidemiology is proud to host #VCUPublicHealth's own Roy Sabo, Ph.D., for their first seminar of the semester.

Log into Zoom on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 12 p.m. us02web.zoom.us/j/8387708486...

We're looking forward to a great seminar series this spring, hosted by the Department of Epidemiology. Follow us for details and Zoom links (when applicable).

VCU receives national recognition for community engagement The Carnegie Community Engagement Classification highlights how VCU’s teaching, research and service are impactful beyond campus.

VCU is one of 80 public, R1 research universities to receive the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, acknowledging our commitment to community engagement.

news.vcu.edu/article/2026...

Students, faculty & staff: Join us for our #VCUPublicHealth Winter Welcome! ❄️
Step into our winter wonderland and kick off the semester with warmth and connection!
Warm drinks and light refreshments will be served.

🗓️ Wednesday, January 14
🕦 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
📍 OCS 12th Floor

Sign up for our next M.P.H. information session on Friday, Jan. 23 at 12 p.m.

Hear all about our online, in-person and accelerated program to find out what's right for you.

us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

We're hiring a Data Management Specialist in the Department of Biostatistics. If you're skilled in data access and reporting, audits, troubleshooting and data management, apply today!
vcujobs.com/jobs/data-ma...

#hiring #publichealth #biostatistics #publichealthjobs #datamangement

#VCUPublicHealth alum and adjunct professor Lauryn Walker, Ph.D., M.P.H., was appointed Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources by Governor-Elect @abigailspanberger.com.

Congratulations to Dr. Walker on this new role! 🎉

Wishing you a healthy, happy 2026!

VCU will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026.

May you enjoy a healthy, happy holiday season from all of us at VCU School of Public Health.

See you in January!

An ounce of prevention might be the best gift this holiday season Cancer

Want to gather safely and protect your loved ones from illness this holiday season? It's possible with a few effective ideas from VCU Health's infectious disease specialists.

www.vcuhealth.org/news/an-ounc...

#VCUPublicHealth #prevention #health #washyourhands

The Graduate Education Innovation Program from the VCU Graduate School, is making masters degrees more accessible and affordable for international and out-of-state students!
Consider getting your M.S. or M.P.H. at #VCUPublicHealth!
Get the details here & apply today: graduate.vcu.edu/prospective-...

Creating Good Odds: Supporting Future Biostatisticians | Medical College of Virginia Foundation A gift from alum Frank W. Rockhold, Ph.D., will ensure graduate students in the Department of Biostatistics at the VCU School of Public Health are provided opportunities to develop collaboration and…

Frank Rockhold, Ph.D., an alum of the Department of Biostatistics, has established a fund to support current and future students as they develop the skills necessary to build a fulfilling and impactful career. We're so grateful for this ongoing gift of support for #VCUPublicHealth!

Community Conversations: The TRUTH Project - Community Power Against Cancer | Podcast Episode on RSS.com In this powerful episode of Community Conversations / Black Health Wins, host Miss Community Clovia sits down with Dr. Robert Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center; Dr. Katherine…

Katherine Tossas, Ph.D., joins the latest episode of Community Conversations hosted by @vcumassey.bsky.social to discuss the inspiration behind the Chickahominy TRUTH Project.

Listen here: rss.com/podcasts/rea...

VCU launches the Office of Medicaid Evaluation The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Public Health has established the Office of Medicaid Evaluation to more formally provide analysis and guidance on state and federal Medicaid programs.

We're proud to announce the launch of the Office of Medicaid Evaluation! Andrew Barnes, Ph.D., professor of #healthpolicy was named director of OME.

The center will provides analysis and guidance on state and federal Medicaid programs.