The USF College of Public Health (COPH) rolled out the red carpet for its faculty, staff, students and alumni during its inaugural Awards and Recognition Ceremony on Oct. 15, celebrating the people whose dedication, leadership and achievements continue to shape the future of public health.
Held in the Samuel P. Bell III Auditorium, the event brought together members of the COPH community for an afternoon of recognition, laughter and celebration, honoring 16 individuals for their contributions to teaching, research, mentorship, leadership and public health practice.
The ceremony marked the beginning of a new tradition at COPH, combining several award programs into one celebration of excellence across the college.
Drs. Alison Oberne and Jason Salemi were emcees for the ceremony. (Photo by Caitlin Keough)
"Today's a celebration of excellence, of service, of innovation, leadership, and most importantly, the incredible people who make our college what it is at all levels," said Dean Sten Vermund in his opening remarks.
Vermund explained that the ceremony grew out of an effort to reimagine how the college recognizes achievement, with faculty and staff working together to develop new awards and create a unified celebration.
"Our mission is to advance the public's health through education, research and practice, but primarily to develop the next generation of public health leaders," Vermund said. "These ambitions are a reality because of all of you."
Drs. Alison Oberne, assistant professor and associate dean for undergraduate studies, and Jason Salemi, professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology, served as emcees, bringing humor and energy to the celebration. Each honoree was welcomed to the stage with applause and a personally selected theme song, adding a festive touch to the afternoon.
Celebrating outstanding students and educators
The ceremony began by recognizing two educators selected by students for their exceptional commitment to teaching and mentorship.
Dr. Elizabeth Dunn, instructor II specializing in disaster preparedness and emergency management, received the Undergraduate Excellence in Teaching Award. A COPH alumna who joined the college in 2012, Dunn was recognized for her hands-on teaching approach and dedication to preparing students to strengthen community resilience.
Dr. Judith Rijnhart, assistant professor of epidemiology, received the Graduate Excellence in Teaching Award for her commitment to student success and creating opportunities for emerging researchers. Student nominations highlighted her ability to make a lasting impact on students' academic and professional development.
The spotlight then turned to three students whose academic accomplishments, leadership and service exemplify the next generation of public health professionals.
- Amrita Nayak, Outstanding Undergraduate Student: A student in USF's Judy Genshaft Honors College, Nayak conducts research at COPH and Moffitt Cancer Center while serving as president and editor-in-chief of The Capsule. She is also a member of the 2026-27 Health Scholars cohort.
- Lorelei Herman, Outstanding Master's Student: An MSPH student concentrating in epidemiology, Herman was recognized for their contributions to research, student mentorship and leadership. They currently serve as a research coordinator for the Infection Control for Emergency Responders team, supporting data management and project coordination.
- Melissa Newsome, Outstanding Doctoral Student: A doctoral candidate in community health sciences, Newsome draws on her background in social anthropology to examine family well-being and the broader conditions that influence health.
Dr. Jaime Corvin, senior associate dean for Academic and Student Affairs, presented the student awards, emphasizing the important role students play in advancing the college's mission.
"Our students are the heart of everything we do. They inspire us, challenge us and remind us every day why public health matters," Corvin said.
Honoring alumni and staff excellence
The celebration continued with recognition of two distinguished alumni whose careers demonstrate the far-reaching impact of a COPH education.
Malinee Neelamegam, PhD, MPH (Photo by Caitlin Keough)
Malinee Neelamegam, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, received the COPH Outstanding Alumni Award for her contributions to epidemiology, healthy aging, brain health and HIV research.
A Fulbright scholar who earned both her MPH and PhD at COPH, Neelamegam reflected on the profound impact the college had on her life and career.
"COPH is second home to me," she said, describing the support she received from faculty and colleagues throughout her time at USF.
Aditi Desai, MPH (Photo by Caitlin Keough)
Aditi Desai also received the COPH Outstanding Alumni Award. Currently the community outreach manager at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Desai helps connect Californians with information and resources related to cell and gene therapy and clinical trials.
A former Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda, Desai reflected on the unexpected path that brought her to public health and the lasting connections she maintains with COPH.
The college also celebrated two staff members whose leadership and dedication help support its students, faculty and programs.
Samantha Barnes, program manager for the Center for Global Health and Inter-Disciplinary Research, received the COPH Staff Excellence Award. A COPH alumna who has served the college for 14 years, Barnes was recognized for her professionalism, collaborative approach and contributions to global health research and programs.
Elissa Santos, assistant director of undergraduate advising, received the COPH Staff Leadership Award. With more than two decades of experience in higher education, Santos was honored for her mentorship, commitment to student success and ability to build a supportive and collaborative team.
Recognizing faculty achievement
Faculty members were also celebrated for their contributions to teaching, research, mentorship and public health practice.
The 2026 faculty award recipients included:
- Tami Shadduck, Excellence in Teaching by an Instructor: Recognized for more than 20 years of teaching experience and her dedication to creating supportive, engaging learning environments. Shadduck recently transitioned to USF's St. Petersburg campus.
- Dr. Matthew Valente, Excellence in Teaching by a Ranked Faculty Member: Honored for his innovative teaching methods and ability to make complex biostatistical concepts accessible and engaging for students.
- Dr. Jason Salemi, Excellence in Teaching Mentorship Award: Recognized for his dedication to mentoring students, building meaningful relationships and creating opportunities for their academic and professional success.
- Dr. Amanda Elmore, Early Career Research Award: Honored for her emerging research program focused on maternal and child health, maternal substance use and long-term health outcomes for mothers and infants.
- Dr. John Adams, Excellence in Research Mentorship Award: Recognized for his decades of leadership in malaria research and dedication to preparing the next generation of scientists. Throughout his career, Adams has mentored 25 doctoral students, 22 postdoctoral fellows and 15 visiting scientists.
- Dr. Xonjenese Jacobs, Excellence in Public Health Practice Award: Honored for her leadership of Florida Covering Kids & Families, including securing a historic $13.8 million federal award — the largest Affordable Care Act Navigator award in the program's history at the time. Under her leadership, enrollment assistance expanded to all 67 Florida counties, helping more residents access health coverage and essential resources.
A lifetime of contributions to public health
The afternoon concluded with one of the ceremony's highest honors: the Florida Outstanding Person in Public Health Award, presented to Dr. Karen Liller, chair of the Department of Community Health Sciences, distinguished USF Health professor and founder and director of the COPH Activist Lab.
Karen Liller, PhD, MA, CPH, FAAAS, FAAHB (Photo by Caitlin Keough)
An internationally recognized injury prevention researcher, Liller has dedicated her career to improving the health and safety of children and adolescents, advancing public health education and mentoring future leaders.
Her accomplishments include helping spearhead Florida's childhood bicycle helmet safety law, serving in several university leadership positions and receiving numerous national and state honors, including the Distinguished Career Award from the American Public Health Association's Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section.
Reflecting on nearly four decades at USF, Liller expressed gratitude for the colleagues, students, mentors and family members who have supported her throughout her career. She also emphasized the importance of continuing to advance public health and preparing future generations to carry that work forward.
As the celebration came to a close, Liller summed up her appreciation for the recognition and the college that has been such an important part of her career, "Let me say again, thank you and end with what an honor, what a college."