From the dean and the associate dean for education
Moving to a future-ready public health curriculum
Dear colleagues,
In recent months, we have been reflecting together on the core commitments that define our School of Public Health. We have spoken of research excellence, of interdisciplinarity, of our responsibility for local to global impact, and of our dedication to distinctive education. This was the foundation of the work we started shaping at our school retreat and is the backbone of our ongoing strategic planning process. Each of these themes has also built upon the last, shaping a vision of a school that is innovative, engaged, and future-facing. It is in that spirit that we now are ready to move forward on thinking through, together, how we advance our educational programs.
Our goal is to reimagine our curriculum — to design and implement a future-ready public health curriculum that advances us as a school and pushes the field forward. We start from a strong foundation — an already robust curriculum, and a range of rich conversations we have been having over the past year with faculty, staff, students, and partners across the university and beyond. It also looks forward, aligning with the direction of CEPH accreditation criteria, and anticipating the skills and knowledge the next generation of public health leaders will need.
Building on our previous communications on this topic, we envision an MPH curriculum that foundationally teaches students how to think, preparing them for the unseen challenges of the coming half century. To do so, our curriculum needs to rest on strong foundations — what students need to know as the basis for public health practice. On that foundation, we aim to emphasize approaches that teach students not only content but also how to do public health, how to translate knowledge into action, with a clear eye to emerging technologies and approaches. This has to be coupled with disciplinary concentrations, allowing students to deepen their expertise, while also centering a transdisciplinary core that prepares them to think across boundaries. An integrated practicum will continue to be central to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to apply their learning in real-world settings, bridging classroom learning and practice.
We also will tackle a re-imagining of our curricular requirements for doctoral students in public health sciences. We will do so with an eye to ensuring alignment with current advances in public health research and to prepare graduates for diverse career pathways. Balancing efficiency with innovation while maintaining academic rigor will allow students to progress through the program while gaining the skills needed to successfully compete for postdoctoral fellowships, academic appointments, and influential positions in public and private sectors.
To develop this curriculum, we will host a series of open consultations; all faculty and staff who are interested are encouraged to attend. These sessions aim to provide a forum to discuss ideas, raise questions, and help shape the final curricular design. Our goal is to have a redesigned curriculum complete by spring 2026, aiming then to have approvals in place for a new curriculum to launch in fall 2027. We also will hold separate consultations with students, whose perspectives and voices are essential as we reimagine the education we offer.
Reimagining a curriculum is an ambitious aim indeed, and one that cannot be done without the engagement of as many members of our community as possible. We very much look forward to working together to build a curriculum that is both true to the tradition of public health and responsive to the needs of the future.
Dates and times of the open consultations we have scheduled so far are here. There is no need to register — all are encouraged to attend as many of these sessions as you can. We shall schedule other sessions as needed.
SPH future-ready curriculum design sessions
- MPH Session I: Foundations I, November 20, 1-2:30 p.m., Duncan 2104
- MPH Session II: Foundations II, December 5, 10-11:30 a.m., Hillman 120
- MPH Session III: Methods and Skills, January 23, 10-11:30 a.m., Duncan 2104
- MPH Session IV: Concentrations, February 11, 3-4:30 p.m., Zoom
- MPH Session V: Practicum and Capstone, February 25, time and location TBD
- MPH Session VI: Inter- and Transdisciplinary Learning, March 25, time and location TBD
- PhD Session I: November 6, 9 a.m. at faculty breakfast with the dean
- PhD Session II: Time and location TBD
Warm regards,
Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH
Margaret C. Ryan Dean of the School of Public Health
and Angela Hobson, PhD
Associate Dean for Education
From the interim associate dean for research
Funding Opportunities
The WashU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) Precision Health Innovation Awards provide up to $25,000 for research on rare diseases. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and are designed for independent faculty launching early-stage projects.
The ICTS also has the ICTS Just-In-Time Core Usage Funding Program, which provides rapid, flexible funding to support access to affiliated research cores. This program helps researchers advance medical knowledge and improve human health through collaborative, timely use of shared resources. Applications are due by 5 p.m. CT on the 10th of each month.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is accepting letters of intent for its RWJF Health Equity Scholars for Action program, an initiative that supports early-career researchers who have faced systemic barriers in academia and are pursuing innovative health equity research. Awards are for up to $260,000 over two years and are open to U.S.-based early-career scholars within five years of a terminal degree. Letters of intent are due at 3 p.m. ET November 6.
Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood supports innovative projects that improve the well-being of children from birth to age 7 across the U.S. Areas of interest include health, education, play, family support, and social integration. The foundation awards seed funding for creative, high-impact projects with national relevance and range from $30,000–$75,000. Applications start by submitting a letter of inquiry through the Caplan website. Some are then invited to submit full proposals. LOIs are due January 31.
Training Resources
WashU is hosting an NIH Fellowship Writing Workshop throughout October. The workshop is intended to help doctoral students prepare competitive F- and K-series applications through guided sessions and faculty feedback.
Join ICTS for Submitting an R Grant – Panel Seminar, an in-person panel discussion offering insider perspectives on preparing and submitting a successful NIH R grant application. Learn key tips from experienced investigators and reviewers. The event is 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, in Moore Auditorium, in the North Building, 4580 Scott Avenue, on the Medical Campus.
Research Resources
The Community‐Engaged Research Core (CERC) at Vanderbilt is offering a virtual, seven-part, weekly series on Community-Engaged Online Research Training. This is a valuable opportunity for researchers to enhance their skills and knowledge. Interested parties may register here. In addition, WashU has a number of wonderful, relevant resources, including Confluence, PeCAD at Siteman, and the ICTS partnerships center, for those wanting to explore added opportunities at the university.
From the associate dean for administration
Noon today – SPH Compass session
SPH’s monthly Compass session will begin at noon today (Monday, October 13) over Zoom. These sessions are held from noon to 1 p.m. the second Monday of every month. Today’s session will include updates and best practices from HR, IT, and finance, along with a special session on the Faculty Financial Reporting (FFR) dashboard. See here to join the session over Zoom.
University Code of Conduct course deadline October 15
All faculty and staff are expected to complete the University Code of Conduct course and attestation each year. This year’s course was assigned in Workday Learning and must be completed by 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 15. Step-by-step instructions are available in Workday, with additional resources and FAQs to support completion.
Flu shots for faculty and staff
The flu shot is mandatory for WashU staff and faculty whose primary work location is in the Duncan Avenue building. Employees are required to have a record of the vaccine uploaded to Workday by November 18. A tutorial is available in Workday to assist with uploading vaccine information.
To help simplify access to flu shots, WashU Medicine provides vaccinations for staff and faculty. Employees may schedule an appointment with Occupational Health, in the Center for Advanced Medicine (CAM), in the third-floor conference room on the Medical Campus. Occupational Health also has several days open for walk-in visits. See here for more information.
Building access updates
Suites in Hillman Hall are scheduled to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. No badge is needed for access during these hours. After hours, a WashU ID is required for entry. Suite 20 is card-access only. For assistance with your WashU ID, contact University Services. For access support, email SPHsupport@wustl.edu.
Suites in the 4300 Duncan Avenue building are scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours, both a building badge (white card) and WashU ID may be required for entry. All inner stairwell doors, the outdoor bridge, and sliding doors are accessible with your WashU ID. For access and parking support, email SPHsupport@wustl.edu.
Central IT workshops & learning
Central IT (ServiceNow) will hold two upcoming sessions to help employees learn about key technology resources, tools, and support available across the university. These sessions will provide an overview of WashU IT services, including purchase orders for software licenses and computers, as well as data security, and collaboration tools.
One session will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, October 20, in Hillman Hall, Room 210. A second session will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 22, in Room 3104 of the 4300 Duncan Avenue building, with Zoom available for remote participants.
SPH events this week
Faculty development seminar
John Horn of Olin Business School will lead this seminar at noon Tuesday, October 14, in the second-floor conference room at 4300 Duncan Avenue. Horn will offer best practices for communicating in academic and public settings.. Register to attend the faculty development seminar in person (lunch will be provided) or over Zoom.
PhD in Public Health Sciences info session
Join virtually at 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, to learn more about the Public Health Sciences PhD program at WashU School of Public Health. This session will include an overview of the school, details on doctoral concentrations and a Q&A with program leaders. Sign up here.
Talking Public Health with Rodrigo Reis
As part of the Talking Public Health seminar series, at noon Wednesday, October 15, Rodrigo Reis, MS, PhD, a professor at the School of Public Health, will give a talk titled, “Advancing People, Health and Place Research and Impact.” The talk will be on the Danforth Campus in 118 Brown Hall and also available over Zoom. Please note the location.
Student coffee chats with the dean
Dean Sandro Galea invites MPH students to visit with him over coffee from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, in 120 Hillman Hall.
The dean invites doctoral students to meet with him from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, October 16, also in 120 Hillman Hall.
Other events this week
20 years of community-informed Alzheimer’s research
WashU’s Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center and the center’s African American Advisory Board will hold an event on Tuesday, October 14, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Knight Conference Center on the Danforth Campus to commemorate two decades of community-informed science and engagement in Alzheimer’s disease research. See here to register for the Seay lecture.
Business of Health summit
The Atlantic and WashU Olin Business School will host the Business of Health Summit on Wednesday, October 15, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. This half-day event will feature leaders from academia, industry, and investment exploring how breakthroughs — especially in brain health — can scale from lab to real-world impact. Register here for the Business of Health summit.
Confluence Collaborative event
The Confluence Collaborative for Community Engagement will host an event Wednesday, October 15, 1 to 5:30 p.m. at the Delmar DivINe, focused on four themes: planetary health, food security and systems, social determinants of health, and third spaces in tornado recovery. For more information and to register, visit the community-engaged research symposium page.
AI at the Crossroads: author talk
On Thursday, October 16, 3 to 4 p.m. in the Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall, journalist and author of “Empire of AI” Karen Hao offers a look at the global power dynamics shaping AI. RSVP here.
SPH Notables
Seelinger joins global panel on gender justice
Kim Thuy Seelinger, JD, a professor of practice at the School of Public Health, recently spoke on the closing panel of an international gender justice conference held at the International Institute for Social Studies in The Hague. Her remarks highlighted the critical role of health sciences in advancing international human rights and justice.
Gupta wins first place in student research competition
Isheeta Gupta, MBBS, an MPH/MSW student, won first place in the graduate cohort of the 2025 COVID Information Commons (CIC) Student Paper Challenge hosted by Columbia University. Her paper — co-authored with Saugat Pandey, PhD, a recent graduate of McKelvey School of Engineering — explores the use of large language models to predict COVID-19 status from chest CT scans.
Looking ahead
Global Health Futures IRN discussion
The Global Health Futures Innovation Research Network, of WashU School of Public Health, will host a breakfast discussion from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, October 20, in 4300 Duncan, Room 3110. This event will feature a panel of WashU Public Health researchers — Drs. Lindsey Filiatreau, Sara Malone and Rodrigo Reis — discussing strategies to advance global public health research, as well as the role of the new School of Public Health in leading global health research. Register to attend.
Talk on community resilience with Dr. L.J. Punch
Dr. L.J. Punch — trauma surgeon, founder of Power4STL and advocate for human-centered healing — will give the keynote address for Leadership Week, sponsored by the George and Carol Bauer Leadership Academy, on October 21 from 5 to 6 p.m. at Emerson Auditorium. His talk is titled, “Healing, Hope, and Community Resilience.” See here for details and to save a seat.
SPH Convening: Can we harness AI to promote healthier lives?
At 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 22, at WashU and online. As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms health-care delivery and population health strategies, fundamental questions emerge about ensuring equitable access, maintaining ethical standards, and translating cutting-edge algorithms into meaningful real-world impact. This symposium —online and in Whitaker 100, on WashU’s Danforth Campus — brings together leading experts to explore how we can harness the potential of Al while safeguarding against bias and ensuring its benefits reach all communities. See here to register to attend at WashU or online
Iwelunmor to deliver keynote at ‘She Leads Symposium’
Juliet Iwelunmor, PhD, a professor of medicine and a secondary faculty member at WashU Public Health, will give the Karl King Hoagland Jr. keynote address for “She Leads,” a half-day event featuring WashU faculty, administrators and alumni, joined by distinguished experts in their fields. The event will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 24 in Hillman Hall’s Clark-Fox Forum. Register here.
SPH Toolbox
- WashU IT support is available on the third floor of 4300 Duncan, in Suite 30 at Hillman Hall, or via SPHsupport@wustl.edu.
- Faculty and staff can schedule meeting and flex space at 4300 Duncan and Hillman Hall via Outlook. Here are instructions.
- SPH Teaching and Education Resources is the go-to Box storage space for teaching resources.
- Classroom supplies are available in Suite 150. Contact Tish Torian or stop by workstation Hillman 149.
- For a complete list of SPH events, visit our Events page.
- For information on the SPH Faculty Mentorship Program, contact Mary Politi or Leah Kemper.
- Have tips about potential funding opportunities? Send details to sphresearch@wustl.edu.
- SPH faculty, staff and students are eligible to become members of the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS). Visit the ICTS website for details.
Let us know
If you have SPH news, events or research to share, please send details to sphcomms@wustl.edu or Elizabethe Holland Durando, SPH director of communications and change management.