SPH convenings
The Story of COVID in the Heart of America
An SPH convening, “The Story of COVID in the Heart of America,” will occur Tuesday, October 7, from 4 to 6 p.m., in the Anheuser Busch Dining Hall at the Charles F. Knight Center on the Danforth Campus, and also via Zoom.
To read our story about the book project, see here. For event details, see here.
In-person attendees will receive a copy of the book.
FARM Food Futures Forum
The FARM Food Futures Forum will occur Thursday, October 9, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT in the Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall, and via Zoom. This is the inaugural convening of SPH’s Food and Agriculture Research Mission (FARM) Innovation Research Network.
To read our story about the event, see here.
Science for Health Systems Conference updates
There are separate signups for the two ways to participate in the upcoming Science for Health Systems conference October 29-31 on the Danforth Campus. This inaugural conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, and implementers from multiple disciplines and regions of the world to share health system research methods and findings to maximize impact on health.
Those interested may participate online or in person. Those choosing the online option will be able to watch several plenaries and panel sessions via livestream at no charge. See here to register to attend virtually.
Those who attend in person will have access to the full conference and related activities on the WashU campus. And members of the WashU community can use the code WASHU200 to access the extended early-bird rate. See here to register to attend in person.
Also, the deadline to apply for a pre-conference skill lab course is October 10. Held Tuesday, October 28 from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. in the Knight Center, this paid course builds foundational knowledge in health system quality measurement and introduces innovative tools for assessing performance across diverse settings.See here for more details about the skill lab and to apply.
From the associate dean of education
Midsemester course evaluations
Midsemester course evaluations are now open and will close at 10 p.m. Tuesday, October 14. The evaluations are designed to provide students with the opportunity to share feedback about the content and structure of each course at the midpoint of the semester.
You have the opportunity to view your midterm eval response rates in real time. Please review your response rates on an ongoing basis and encourage student participation by sending an announcement out through your course Canvas page and by devoting a small amount of class time (5-10 minutes) for students to complete them during the evaluation period.
Reports summarizing course feedback will be available to instructors shortly after the evaluation period ends. I highly encourage you to review this feedback and determine how you will share a summary of the feedback with students in your class. Best practices for teaching suggest that we should present and discuss the feedback with our classes. Students need to know that their feedback is heard, and this makes it more likely that students will complete the final course evaluations, one of our most formal, even if flawed, methods of understanding the student learning experience in the SPH.
Please see this guide for additional tips on how to process midsemester feedback, and reach out to me (Associate Dean Angela Hobson), master’s program director Charlene Caburnay, or doctoral program director Patrick Fowler, if you have particular concerns with your evaluations. The Center for Teaching and Learning also offers individual consultations for teaching support to members of WashU’s teaching community.
Last call for iTeach proposals
iTeach 2026: Mark your calendars for WashU’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) iTeach 2026 conference on January 7 in the Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall. This conference brings together faculty and instructional staff from all schools at WashU for cross-disciplinary discussion on teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning. CTL is accepting proposals for papers, panels, posters, and workshops from all WashU affiliates. The proposal deadline is October 8. The full call and submission portal can be accessed here.
Mentoring workshop via provost’s office
For faculty interested in a deep dive on mentoring, a day-long mentoring workshop is available through the Office of the Provost from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 10 in Seigle Hall, Room 208, on the Danforth Campus. This evidence-based workshop draws on NSF-funded research from the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) and includes modules tailored for WashU faculty. The program meets NSF and NIH grant training requirements, and participants will earn a mentoring certificate and digital badge. Register to reserve your spot
From the interim associate dean for research
Impact of government shutdown on research
The government shutdown has created significant uncertainty regarding extramural funding and how each agency is handling contingency plans. You can monitor ongoing developments and implications for research funding via WashU’s dedicated page: Research & Federal Updates: 2025 Government Shutdown. Our office also will share specific guidance from WashU administration as we receive updates. If you have specific concerns about your federally funded research, please contact us at sphresearch@wustl.edu.
Training opportunity
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research is offering two pre-award technical assistance webinars for F & K awards. The webinars will cover topics such as programmatic expectations, peer review processes, application strategy, and grant writing guidance. Participation is not required to submit an application. The webinars will take place October 14 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. ET (K awards) and on October 16 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. ET (F awards).
Funding opportunities
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is soliciting applications for Mind and Body Interventions to Restore Whole Person Health (R61/R33). It supports mechanistic clinical trials testing how mind-body interventions such as mindfulness, yoga and acupuncture affect emotional well-being and link to Whole Person Health. The award has two phases: feasibility with Go/No-Go benchmarks (R61) followed by a full trial (R33). Funding is for up to $475,000 a year in direct costs; total project period up to five years. The center expects to make three awards in fiscal year 2026 totaling about $2 million. There are three application due dates a year; the first one is November 7.
The American Lung Association is accepting applications for its Public Health & Public Policy Research Award, supporting projects that evaluate policies or public health programs related to lung health, including tobacco control, air quality, climate policy, health disparities, access to care, and other policy-relevant research. The award is for up to $50,000 a year for two years. Applications are due December 1 with funding beginning July 1, 2026.
The American Psychological Foundation is offering Direct Action Visionary Grants of up to $60,000 to support evidence-based psychological interventions that address urgent community needs. Projects should align with APF’s priorities: serving marginalized communities, ending prejudice, preventing violence, and advancing mind-body health. Letters of Intent are due October 31.
Forecasted Funding Opportunity: The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has posted a forecast grant opportunity to support creation of interdisciplinary research networks focused on resilience and health optimization through the Interdisciplinary Research Networks on Resilience and Health Optimization (U24). Networks are expected to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, pilot projects, training, and dissemination of best practices. Funding is estimated at $1.5 million. The notice of funding opportunity is expected January 5, 2026, with applications due May 25, 2026.
Research resources
Olin Library and the Data Lab (a collaboration with Data Services & TRIADS, Becker Library) offer quick, practical sessions to strengthen your research and data skills (for example, AI tools, academic publishing, and data tools). Learn more about their offerings, and sign up for research workshops on the library’s events page. All workshops are available in person in Olin Library and via Zoom.
From the associate dean for administration
‘Outstanding new professional’ award
Jordyn Bommarito, MPH, a new member of SPH’s financial management and grants team, has been honored for her exceptional impact as a research administrator, combining expertise, initiative, and collaboration to strengthen research administration. Her professionalism and dedication have earned her recognition as an invaluable colleague and emerging leader in the field.
Jordyn, who supports investigators in achieving their research goals, has an academic and professional background in social work and public health and a commitment to advancing equitable, community-centered health initiatives.
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 October 15. Step-by-step instructions are available in Workday, with additional resources and FAQs to support completion.
New to the school
We welcome three new secondary faculty members this week.
Kristin Brig-Ortiz, PhD, a lecturer in the Public Health & Society Program in Arts & Sciences, joins the SPH secondary faculty as a lecturer. Brig-Ortiz is a historian of environment and public health in southern Africa, with a focus on coastal communities and urban life. Her current work is a comparative analysis of water management and urban public health in three nineteenth-century South African port cities.
Cultural anthropologist Jean Hunleth, MPH, PhD, an associate professor of surgery at WashU Medicine, joins the SPH secondary faculty as an associate professor. Hunleth uses qualitative, ethnographic and community-based participatory research methods to understand caregiving and treatment-seeking for infectious and chronic diseases. Her research across Zambia and the United States aims to involve children’s experiences, insights and creativity as sources of innovation in public health research, programs and policies.
Chen Reis, MPH, JD, PhD, a professor of practice in the Program in Public Health & Society in Arts & Sciences, joins the SPH secondary faculty as a professor of practice. Reis’ work on sexual violence in humanitarian settings combines policy development, practice, advocacy, capacity development, and mixed-methods research. Her work has influenced international and organizational policy, humanitarian practice, transitional justice processes, funding decisions, and research ethics standards.
SPH events this week
School of Public Health Assembly
There will be an SPH School Assembly from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 7, in the Havana Room on the second floor of 4240 Duncan Avenue. 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. Here is the agenda.
Early-stage investigator meeting with the dean
A meeting between early-stage investigators and Dean Galea will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday October 7, in Conference Room 3203 on the third floor of 4300 Duncan Ave. These sessions provide an opportunity for early-career researchers to ask questions and receive guidance.
Staff and faculty meetings with the dean October 8
At 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 8, in the Havana Room, second floor of 4240 Duncan Avenue, staff are invited to join colleagues for breakfast and conversation with the dean. At 10 a.m., faculty are invited to the same location for a casual breakfast and discussion.
Talking Public Health
At noon Wednesday, October 8, Abby Barker, MA, PhD, a research associate professor at SPH, will give a talk titled “Missouri Medicaid Policies to Build a Systematic and Evidence-Informed Approach to Maternal and Infant Health.” The talk will be in the Havana Room, on the second floor of 4240 Duncan Avenue and over Zoom.
Other events this week
Take Care Fair
Employees are invited to the Take Care Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, at Sumers Recreation Center. This event is designed to support well-being and connect our community with valuable health resources. Find more information here.
Danforth shared research facilities expo
On Tuesday, October 7, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. in the Whitaker Hall Atrium, this expo is an opportunity to explore cutting-edge resources, connect with experts and discover how shared research facilities can advance innovation and collaboration across disciplines. See here for details on the facilities expo
Looking ahead
SPH 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.
Writing workshops with The Conversation U.S.
The Conversation U.S. is an independent, nonprofit news source that features articles written by experts with the assistance of journalists. To be published by The Conversation, you must be employed as a researcher or academic with a university or research institution, or be a PhD candidate writing under supervision of an academic. Members of The Conversation U.S. editorial team will be leading two writing workshops at WashU: one for doctoral students, and the other on writing about planetary health research.
University Relations Manager Hannah Sussman will lead a workshop on when, how and why doctoral students might share their research with general audiences. Open to current doctoral students only. The workshop will be October 14, from 2 to 3 p.m., in the Danforth University Center (DUC), Room 234. RSVP requested; register here for the doctoral student writing workshop.
For planetary health researchers, this hybrid workshop will address how to translate academic expertise for the general public. University Relations Manager Hannah Sussman will facilitate a conversation with Associate Science Editor Mary Manguson about what she looks for in a pitch, how she works with authors, and best practices for turning research into a broadly accessible story. The workshop will be October 15, 10 to 11 a.m. in Seigle Hall, Room 205. RSVP requested. Register here for the planetary-health writing workshop.
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.
Lecture on 20 years of community-informed Alzheimer 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 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. CT. 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.
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 your seat.
Faculty notes
Brown presents at health preferences conference
Derek Brown, MA, PhD, a professor at WashU Public Health, presented on October 1 a talk titled, “Preferences of survivors of sexual violence in Uganda for health services: results of a DCE,” at the annual meeting of the International Academy of Health Preference Research in Enschede, Netherlands.
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.