Dr. Jason Salemi, professor and interim chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the USF College of Public Health (COPH), has been recognized with the Outstanding Mentorship Award from the American College of Epidemiology (ACE).
The national award honors epidemiologists who demonstrate exceptional commitment to guiding and supporting the next generation of professionals in the field.
“Being recognized is incredibly humbling,” Salemi said. “Of all the honors I’ve been fortunate to receive, this one means the most because it reflects not my own accomplishments, but those of the people I’ve had the privilege to mentor and learn from. I see this award as a celebration of their achievements – the students, fellows and colleagues who continue to inspire me every day.”
Salemi noted that the COPH’s community was well represented at this year’s ACE meeting, where current and former Bulls received three of the five national awards presented.
“That says something about who we are as a community,” he said. “People who lift one another up, invest in each other’s growth and take pride in seeing others succeed.”
COPH Alumna Dr. Sharonda Lovett with Drs. Judith Rijnhart and Jason Salemi at the 2025 American College of Epidemiology annual conference in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Salemi)
As both a researcher and educator, Salemi has long emphasized the importance of collaboration, mentorship and mutual respect in the field of epidemiology.
“Our department runs not only on incredible passion, but also on collaboration and mentorship – it’s in our DNA,” he said. “Whether it’s a student learning to analyze their first dataset, a faculty member developing a new grant or a team brainstorming how to translate research into practice, an important through-line is mutual respect and shared purpose.”
Salemi said his approach to mentorship has evolved throughout his career, shifting from offering prescriptive advice to creating space for others to grow.
“Effective mentorship starts with listening,” he said. “It’s about seeing people for who they are—often before they see it themselves—and doing everything possible to create the conditions for them to flourish. Sometimes that means offering support and perspective—but just as often, it means clearing away the barriers academia tends to put in people’s paths and then getting out of their way.”
For Salemi, mentorship is more than professional guidance—it’s a legacy of empowerment.
“Every student or junior colleague who gains confidence carries that forward to someone else,” he said. “That chain of care and encouragement is what makes mentorship so meaningful to me.”