SPH convening this week

A conversation with Katelyn Jetelina

The School of Public Health will host epidemiologist and science communicator Katelyn Jetelina for a talk and Q&A at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, in the Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall. The event also will be available over Zoom. See here for details and to register.

Jetelina authors the widely read Substack blog “Your Local Epidemiologist.” At the event, she will discuss her approach to public health communication and her experience translating complex data for audiences online. She also will participate in a conversation with Dean Sandro Galea, with time for questions from the audience.

Earlier Wednesday, a small number of faculty are invited to meet with Jetelina to talk about Substack as a platform for public scholarship. The workshop will be from 10 to 11 a.m. If interested in attending, please contact elizabethe.durando@wustl.edu for details.

The Office of Public Scholarship is co-hosting the event with SPH.

From the dean

Annual SPH survey invitation

We are launching our inaugural annual school survey, aimed at identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement as we develop our school community. Our work together is strengthened by all of us participating in the annual survey. Thank you in advance for participating. We anticipate that the survey will take 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey will be open from November 10–26. And, as an extra bonus, those who participate can choose to enter a raffle to win some WashU swag.

From the associate dean for faculty affairs

Annual faculty review

SPH primary faculty, please look for an email from the Office of Faculty Affairs in the coming weeks to schedule your meeting with Dean Galea as part of the annual faculty review process. These meetings will take place between January 15 and March 31. Please submit a completed Annual Faculty Update (template here) and an updated CV with all new or ongoing activities for 2025 to SPHFacultyAffairs@wustl.edu by December 31. Thank you for your participation in this important process.

2026 Faculty Mentoring Intensive

The annual Faculty Mentoring Intensive will take place from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on January 16 on the Danforth Campus (precise location TBA). The curriculum features five essential modules developed by the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research, now further enriched and customized. This intensive is tailored for WashU faculty dedicated to mentoring graduate students and early-career faculty, offering a unique blend of theory-based exercises and case studies proven to enhance your mentoring impact. Faculty who complete the mentoring intensive will receive a Level 1 Mentor Certificate of completion.

From the associate dean for education

Nurturing Future Researchers

WashU School of Public Health is introducing Nurturing Future Researchers (NFR), a recruitment and professional development program designed to connect incoming MPH students with early, hands-on research opportunities.

Each year, the school will fund 10, one-year, dedicated research assistant (RA) positions (committing 10 hours per week) for faculty with active projects. Newly admitted, incoming MPH student applicants with well-matched research interests, prior research or leadership experience, and a clear commitment to advancing population health will be given priority for selection. The Office of Education will coordinate the matching process between faculty research and student applicants. 

By aligning students’ interests with faculty-led projects, the program aims to not only strengthen research productivity but also foster intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and methodological skills that will carry students through their graduate studies and beyond. These highly competitive placements will provide students with structured training, mentorship, and direct involvement in studies spanning diverse areas of public health.

In order to offer RAs to highly qualified MPH applicants early in their graduate school decision-making process, faculty interested in receiving one of the 10 school-funded RAs through the NFR program must submit this Qualtrics form, by December 1. NFR is open to all faculty ranks and tracks. Priority will be given to early-career investigators with active projects. Faculty selected for an NFR student will be notified by January 15. NFR RAs will start in August.

Nurturing Future Teachers

We are in the process of matching students who applied to the Nurturing Future Teachers teaching assistant program to spring courses. Faculty teaching courses with enrollment of at least 20 students will receive a communication by the end of November with additional details.

Teaching orientation and midsemester check-ins

The Office of Education will begin a presemester teaching orientation approximately five to six weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming semester for any faculty teaching SPH courses. All faculty teaching in the upcoming semester are invited, and adjuncts and anyone new to teaching in the SPH are especially encouraged to attend. We will cover logistics, expectations, and resources for teaching in the SPH at the orientation, and the midsemester check-in meeting will be an opportunity for all instructors to touch base with each other to discuss how the semester is going and to share their teaching observations and experiences. 

Spring 2026 teaching orientation will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, via Zoom. Slides and a recording of the meeting will be made available for those who cannot attend.

The date and time for the Spring 2026 midsemester check-in meeting will be shared as soon as the meeting is set.

Curricular innovation grants

Leadership Curricular Innovation Grants, offered in partnership with the Bauer Leaders Academy, provide up to $2,500 to support innovations in coursework that cultivate purpose-driven leadership. Faculty and instructors from all WashU schools and campuses are eligible to apply, with a deadline of November 30, for courses offered in the 2026–2027 academic year. If you are considering applying for this grant, please reach out to me at hobsona@wustl.edu to discuss project ideas. 

From the director of communications

SPH events calendar

The School of Public Health’s website now has an events calendar. The calendar lists events hosted by SPH, along with other events related to public health elsewhere around WashU. You can subscribe to the calendar and receive all events — or a specific selection for your group — right in your calendar application of choice, so you can have the latest information for each event. 

Additional updates and events will be added over the coming weeks. For more information on how to subscribe to the appropriate calendar, visit our SPH events calendar resource page.

Please note that this calendar is a work in progress and may change over time, particularly when the new version of our website launches. We will be sure to inform you if there are any changes that require action. If you have questions or comments, please contact the Office of Communications at sphcomms@wustl.edu.

WashU Research Profiles expanding to SPH

WashU Research Profiles is expanding from the Medical Campus to include the entire university. Originally instituted for WashU Medicine researchers, this platform provides dynamic, searchable faculty profiles that highlight scholarly expertise, interests, and outputs. As of now, the only SPH faculty with active Research Profiles are those who transferred from WashU Medicine, but a team of experts from WashU Libraries, the Bernard Becker Medical Library, and the DI2 Accelerator is building out profiles for the rest of the faculty at SPH and the other WashU schools. 

As part of the process, the team is importing from Scopus all publications linked to SPH researchers. The imported publications are visible on the WashU Research Profiles site even though their authors’ profiles are not yet active. Once the SPH Research Profiles are launched — planned for 2026 — these floating publications will be correctly linked to their authors’ profiles. For more information, see this article from WashU Libraries.

From the interim associate dean for research

Training opportunity

The Responsible Conduct of Research Workshop will feature presentations on WashU policies and procedures related to the responsible conduct of research. All members of the WashU community who are actively engaged in research and interested are welcome to attend. It is highly recommended for postdocs, career award recipients, and other junior research team members. The workshop will be 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, November 12. Pre-registration via Learn@Work is required. This session is limited to 100 people.

Funding opportunities

Research! America has microgrant opportunities for early-career scientists. There are two programs — the Civic Engagement Microgrant Program, and the Public Engagement Content Award — open to graduate students, postdocs, and professional students in STEMM fields and interested in public engagement, communication, and policy. The deadline for submission is November 21. Questions may be directed to microgrants@researchamerica.org. 

The Cancer Research UK and American Cancer SocietyBiology to Prevention Award supports collaborative team research projects designed to bridge biological discovery and cancer prevention. Each proposal must demonstrate strong synergy between investigators and clearly outline how the interdisciplinary team will accelerate scientific advancement and clinical benefit. Each team must include one PI from an eligible U.S. institution and one PI from an eligible U.K. institution. Awards provide up to $860,000 over five years. Applications are due November 24.

The American Cancer Society offers a range of grant programs to support innovative cancer research and career development across disciplines, with the next major funding deadline December 1. Specific funding opportunities include Research Scholar Grants, Clinician Scientist Development Grants, Discovery Boost Grants, Mission Boost Grants, and Postdoctoral Fellowships. The Catalyst Awards, which support cross-disciplinary and high-risk, high-reward projects, have a later deadline of January 5. 

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) supports promising early-stage postdoctoral researchers as they transition from mentored training to independent, tenure-track positions. The program provides independent research funding to help scholars establish competitive cancer research careers. Researchers in cancer control, prevention, and data sciences are especially encouraged to apply. Each institution may submit up to four applications (one per category) across the following opportunities: PAR-23-286 (nonclinical trial), PAR-23-287 (lead investigator in a clinical trial), and PAR-23-288 (gaining experience in a trial led by another investigator). The internal submission deadline isDecember 1, with the NIH agency deadline in February. 

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation supports innovative translational research on cancers that predominantly affect women, including breast, ovarian, uterine, endometrial, and cervical cancers. These grants aim to bridge laboratory discoveries and clinical applications to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment outcomes. The foundation anticipates awarding 10 to 15 grants of up to $100,000 total ($50,000 per year for two years). Each institution may submit one application. The internal WashU submission deadline is December 4.

A compilation of funding opportunities can be found on the SPH Funding Opportunities page.

From the associate dean for administration

Access updates at 4300 Duncan

Beginning Friday, November 14, the sliding glass doors to the WashU suites in 4300 Duncan will be card access only outside of business hours, which are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. If you need to enter the suites during those off hours, please be sure to have your WashU and Duncan badges with you.

Open enrollment questions? Attend SPH Compass today

Be sure to review the 2026 open enrollment information this week. We encourage you to take time to learn about what is changing for next year so you can make the best decisions for you and your family. If you have questions, our HR partner, Megan Fitzpatrick, will help provide answers at the SPH November Compass session at noon today, Monday, November 10. To attend in person, come to 4300 Duncan, Room 3104. The session also will be available over Zoom.

WashU flu vaccination campaign

Regarding the annual Employee Flu Campaign, if you receive your vaccine at a WashU Occupational Health clinic, your documentation will be uploaded automatically. If you are vaccinated elsewhere, please make sure to upload your documentation to Workday by November 17. Here is a step-by-step tutorial to assist with the process.

SPH events this week

SPH School Assembly

There will be an SPH School Assembly from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 11, in 4240 Duncan in the Havana Room. Those unable to attend may participate via Zoom. These monthly gatherings are an opportunity for our community to hear progress updates and discuss steps we are taking to build the school. We encourage all SPH faculty and staff to attend. See the agenda here.

Early-stage investigator meeting with the dean

A meeting between early-stage investigators and Dean Galea will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, at 4300 Duncan, Rm 3203. These sessions provide an opportunity for early-career researchers to ask questions and receive guidance. 

Talking Public Health with Sara Malone

As part of the Talking Public Health seminar series, Sara Malone, MSW, PhD, WashU assistant professor of public health, will give a talk at noon Wednesday, November 12, titled, “Advancing Systems for the Delivery of Pediatric Care.” The talk will be on the Danforth Campus in 162 McDonnell Hall and also available over Zoom.

Student coffee chat with the dean

Dean Sandro Galea invites MPH students to visit with him over coffee from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, November 12, in 120 Hillman Hall.

Staff meeting with the dean

SPH staff are invited to join colleagues for coffee and conversation with the dean at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, November 13, at 4240 Duncan in the Havana Room.

Other events this week

Universitywide food drive

In light of the growing food crisis in our region, WashU is hosting a universitywide food drive from November 1 to December 20. Collected items will be delivered weekly to Operation Food Search and the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Collection bins have been placed all over campus, including in Goldfarb Hall and 4300 Duncan. For a complete list of requested items and dropoff points, see the WashU food drive page.

Kim Thuy Seelinger on ‘War, Gender, and Justice’

From noon to 1 p.m. today, Monday, November 10, Kim Thuy Seelinger, JD, professor of practice at WashU School of Public Health, will give a talk titled, “War, Gender, and Justice: What’s Public Health Got to Do With It?” The talk will be in the Farrell Learning & Teaching Center, Room 301, on the Medical Campus. See here for details and to register.

Global Research Excellence Showcase

From 1:30 to 7 p.m. today, Monday, November 10, the Global Research Excellence Showcase in Hillman Hall’s Clark-Fox Forum will showcase WashU research from across borders and disciplines. Featured presenters are recipients of Global Incubator Seed Grants, which aim to harness the power of international partnerships to advance innovative research. See here for details.

Vaccine Center Symposium

The Vaccine Center Symposium will be from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, November 12, at the Eric P. Newman Education Center on the Medical Campus. SPH Dean Sandro Galea will speak alongside leading experts in vaccine science and public health. See here for details and to register.

Advancing diabetes research webinar

The Intergenerational Diabetes Research via Home Visiting Networks (IDRN) core — a collaboration between the WashU Center for Diabetes Translation Research and the national Parents as Teachers home-visiting program — is hosting a webinar from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, November 14. IDRN provides services to help investigators translate research into solutions aimed at preventing the familial transmission of type 2 diabetes, and improving population health. The webinar will explore how researchers can engage with the data and services available through IDRN. See here for details and to register.

New to the school

Chenyang Lu, PhD, the Fullgraf Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at McKelvey School of Engineering, joins the School of Public Health as a secondary faculty member. As the founding director of WashU’s AI for Health Institute, he leads a multidisciplinary initiative uniting AI researchers and health professionals to address critical health challenges through innovative, data-driven approaches. His research focuses on developing machine learning models to predict health outcomes using multimodal data, advancing both precision medicine and public health.

Of note

Emergency assistance for postdocs

The RELIEF Program (Reinforcing Employment-Life Integration through Emergency Funds) offers urgent financial assistance up to $750 per postdoc per fiscal year to eligible postdoctoral associates or scholars at WashU who face unexpected, nonrecurring expenses causing significant hardship. The program cannot cover routine living costs, standard medical expenses, or research-related costs, and expenses must have been incurred on or after July 1 of the current fiscal year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with reimbursement via direct deposit if approved.

Faculty notes and notables

Wang organizing panel on housing stability at policy conference

Yi Wang, a postdoctoral researcher working with WashU Public Health’s Rodrigo Reis, is organizing a panel at this year’s Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management’s 47th Annual Fall Research Conference on November 13–15 in Seattle. The panel, titled, “Investigating the Impact of Kansas City’s Tenant Right to Counsel Program on Eviction Outcomes,” will explore how legal representation affects housing stability for vulnerable renters.

Andeberhan named co-chair of student advisory council

Hieran Andeberhan, an MPH student in the 3-2 program, has been named a co-chair of the student advisory council of SPH’s Center for Human Rights, Gender & Migration. In this role, she will help organize student support of center initiatives, foster student collaboration across disciplines, and identify ways the center can help connect WashU students to their priority human rights issues and networks.

Tsagli recognized for poster at diabetes conference

WashU Public Health MPH student Dennis Dela Tsagli received the Outstanding Poster Award in the translational/clinical research category at WashU Medicine’s Diabetes Research Symposium last week for his poster titled, “A Silent Complication: Sex-Stratified Association Between Diabetes and Hearing Loss in Older Adults.” Co-authors included Peter McCarthy, also an MPH student at WashU Public Health.

Looking ahead: Events in the coming weeks

Geospatial Forum

From 9 a.m. to noon Monday, November 17, in Umrath Hall Lounge, join us for the Geospatial Forum, hosted by the WashU Geospatial Research Initiative, celebrating the innovative work of its seed grant recipients. Presentations will highlight a wide range of inspiring projects, with light breakfast and lunch provided. Registration is requested.

Health Decoded Series

From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, at Bauer Hall join WashU Olin Business for  the monthly Health Decoded seminar series, during which leaders in health and business pull back the curtain on challenges, solutions, and lessons that matter. This month features Kristi Hampton, a former FDA deputy director. Register here.

CAHSPER research seminar

From noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, November 20, at WashU and online, the Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research (CAHSPER) will host a research seminar with Alexander O. Everhart, PhD, an instructor in WashU Medicine’s Division of General Medicine & Geriatrics. Much of his work focuses on how safe, effective medical technologies come to market and how regulatory decisions shape the quality of these technologies. Register here.

Enola Proctor lecture on implementation science

The annual Enola Proctor Lecture will be at 9 a.m. November 21 in Holmes Lounge on the Danforth Campus and also will be available via webinar. Sponsored by SPH’s Dissemination & Implementation Science Innovation Research Network (DISIRN), the lecture will feature Greg Aarons, PhD, of the University of California, San Diego, who will speak on, “The Why and How of Leadership and Teamwork for Implementation.” See here for details and to register.Because of space constraints, registration is required.

SPH Toolbox

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.