https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/Recent posts from Public Health Newsen-usMon, 09 Mar 2026 13:51:42 -04:00http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssOmniUpdate (OU Publish)https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/from-dual-undergrad-degrees-to-doctoral-candidate.aspxBorn and raised in Tampa, Fla, as the youngest of five children and a first-generation college student, USF’s College of Public Health (COPH) alumna Mae Horne grew up surrounded by public service. Her mother and stepfather worked as ER nurses, and her father served as a lieutenant firefighter and paramedic. When the COVID-19 pandemic placed all three on the frontlines, her appreciation for health care and public health workers deepened, along with her passion for emerging infectious diseases.Liz Bannon, College of Public HealthMon, 09 Mar 2026 10:57:02 From dual undergrad degrees to doctoral candidateBorn and raised in Tampa, Fla, as the youngest of five children and a first-generation college student, USF’s College of Public Health (COPH) alumna Mae Horne grew up surrounded by public service. Her mother and stepfather worked as ER nurses, and her father served as a lieutenant firefighter and paramedic. When the COVID-19 pandemic placed all three on the frontlines, her appreciation for health care and public health workers deepened, along with her passion for emerging infectious diseases.COPH alumna, Mae Horne (Photo courtesy of Horne)https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/from-dual-undergrad-degrees-to-doctoral-candidate.aspxAlumni and Development,Research and Innovationhttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/hpv-vaccine-success-in-panama-reveals-new-questions-about-cervical-cancer-mortality.aspxResearchers from the COPH are examining how vaccination, screening and health system factors are shaping cervical cancer trends in Panama, offering new insights into progress toward eliminating the disease.Caitlin KeoughFri, 06 Mar 2026 14:18:09 HPV vaccine success in Panama reveals new questions about cervical cancer mortalityResearchers from the COPH are examining how vaccination, screening and health system factors are shaping cervical cancer trends in Panama, offering new insights into progress toward eliminating the disease.doctor inserting needlehttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/hpv-vaccine-success-in-panama-reveals-new-questions-about-cervical-cancer-mortality.aspxCommunity Health Sciences,Research and InnovationArlene Calvohttps://www.usf.edu/news/2026/usf-students-engage-with-lawmakers-at-usf-day-at-the-capitol.aspxNearly 100 USF students gathered in Tallahassee to meet with state lawmakers – gaining hands-on experience with government and learning about the legislative process.External ArticleFri, 06 Mar 2026 14:07:36 USF students engage with lawmakers at USF Day at the CapitolNearly 100 USF students gathered in Tallahassee to meet with state lawmakers – gaining hands-on experience with government and learning about the legislative process.two college studentshttps://www.usf.edu/news/2026/usf-students-engage-with-lawmakers-at-usf-day-at-the-capitol.aspxStudent Lifehttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/coph-faculty-students-advocate-for-worker-health-during-washington-dc-visit.aspxFaculty from the USF College of Public Health (COPH) recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal legislators and discuss priorities related to worker health and safety, highlighting the impact of federally supported occupational health programs.Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:21:55 COPH faculty, students advocate for worker health during Washington, D.C. visitFaculty from the USF College of Public Health (COPH) recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal legislators and discuss priorities related to worker health and safety, highlighting the impact of federally supported occupational health programs.A group of COPH scientists in front of the White House.https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/coph-faculty-students-advocate-for-worker-health-during-washington-dc-visit.aspxCollege NewsJennifer Marshall,Sunshine ERChttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/the-college-of-public-healths-activist-lab-helps-bring-solutions-for-those-isolated-and-lonely.aspxMost people at some point feel a temporary sense of isolation and loneliness, but others suffer a deeper, more lasting mood that affects their mental and physical health.Kurt LoftThu, 05 Mar 2026 13:46:31 The College of Public Health’s Activist Lab helps bring solutions for those isolated and lonelyMost people at some point feel a temporary sense of isolation and loneliness, but others suffer a deeper, more lasting mood that affects their mental and physical health.The Activist Lab team.https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/the-college-of-public-healths-activist-lab-helps-bring-solutions-for-those-isolated-and-lonely.aspxCommunity Engagement,Research and InnovationActivist Lab,Karen Lillerhttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-researcher-strives-to-de-bug-parasitic-problem-in-florida.aspxMost of us have a healthy fear of bugs, at least those for whom a nasty toxin, sting or bite can mean a trip to the hospital.Kurt LoftThu, 05 Mar 2026 00:42:01 USF researcher strives to de-bug parasitic problem in FloridaMost of us have a healthy fear of bugs, at least those for whom a nasty toxin, sting or bite can mean a trip to the hospital.Three kissing bugs.https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-researcher-strives-to-de-bug-parasitic-problem-in-florida.aspxEpidemiology,Research and Innovationhttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-leader-a-first-to-receive-prestigious-public-health-award.aspxDr. Donna Petersen, former dean of the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health (COPH), is the first person to win a prestigious award from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) in recognition of her legacy of leadership.Kurt LoftThu, 26 Feb 2026 10:50:52 USF leader a first to receive prestigious public health awardDr. Donna Petersen, former dean of the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health (COPH), is the first person to win a prestigious award from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) in recognition of her legacy of leadership.Dr. Donna Petersen, former dean of the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health (COPH), is the first person to win a prestigious award from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) in recognition of her legacy of leadership.https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-leader-a-first-to-receive-prestigious-public-health-award.aspxAwards and Honors,Research and InnovationDonna Petersenhttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-professors-textbook-earns-national-2025-book-of-the-year-honor.aspxDr. Zachary Pruitt, professor and alumnus of the USF College of Public Health, has been named a 2025 Book of the Year Award winner by the American Journal of Nursing (AJN), earning first place in the health care administration category for his textbook, Health Services Management: Competencies and Careers.Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:43:32 USF professor’s textbook earns national 2025 Book of the Year honorDr. Zachary Pruitt, professor and alumnus of the USF College of Public Health, has been named a 2025 Book of the Year Award winner by the American Journal of Nursing (AJN), earning first place in the health care administration category for his textbook, Health Services Management: Competencies and Careers.Dr. Zachary Pruitt beside an image of his textbook, a blue cover with a geometric design representing "balance".https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-professors-textbook-earns-national-2025-book-of-the-year-honor.aspxAlumni and Development,Health Policy and Systems Managementhttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-trio-recognized-as-50-hoops-legends-for-leadership-beyond-the-court.aspxThree faculty members from the COPH have been inducted into the 50 Hoops Legends, a nationwide network recognizing leaders who use basketball as a platform for service, mentorship and community impact.Caitlin KeoughTue, 24 Feb 2026 09:04:15 USF trio recognized as 50 Hoops Legends for leadership beyond the courtThree faculty members from the COPH have been inducted into the 50 Hoops Legends, a nationwide network recognizing leaders who use basketball as a platform for service, mentorship and community impact.four womenhttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-trio-recognized-as-50-hoops-legends-for-leadership-beyond-the-court.aspxAwards and Honors,Community Health SciencesMarshara Fross,Ronee Wilson,Vickie Dugathttps://www.usf.edu/news/2026/welcoming-president-moez-limayem-his-first-day-in-photos.aspxMoez Limayem officially began his tenure as USF’s ninth president with a week spent engaging with the USF community – emphasizing his excitement for the university’s future and the opportunities ahead.External ArticleMon, 23 Feb 2026 15:24:32 Welcoming President Moez Limayem: His first week in photosMoez Limayem officially began his tenure as USF’s ninth president with a week spent engaging with the USF community – emphasizing his excitement for the university’s future and the opportunities ahead.man talking to studentshttps://www.usf.edu/news/2026/welcoming-president-moez-limayem-his-first-day-in-photos.aspxCollege Newshttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/award-winning-community-air-monitoring-network-hosted-annual-summit-in-tampa.aspxA community-based air quality monitoring project led by the USF College of Public Health’s Dr. Amy Stuart continued its momentum this month with its annual community summit following recent statewide recognition for its grassroots approach to environmental planning and public health.Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:23:33 Award-winning community air monitoring network hosted annual summit in TampaA community-based air quality monitoring project led by the USF College of Public Health’s Dr. Amy Stuart continued its momentum this month with its annual community summit following recent statewide recognition for its grassroots approach to environmental planning and public health. Dr. Amy Stuart (right) showing how the air monitors work to residents. (Photo courtesy of CAMN)https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/award-winning-community-air-monitoring-network-hosted-annual-summit-in-tampa.aspxCommunity Health SciencesAmy Stuarthttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/vaccine-research-team-joins-the-coph.aspxA vaccine research team specializing in antibody-mediated immunity and infectious disease prevention has joined the USF College of Public Health, strengthening the college’s work in global health and translational immunology.Caitlin KeoughMon, 23 Feb 2026 15:02:58 Vaccine research team joins the COPHA vaccine research team specializing in antibody-mediated immunity and infectious disease prevention has joined the USF College of Public Health, strengthening the college’s work in global health and translational immunology.virushttps://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/vaccine-research-team-joins-the-coph.aspxCollege News,Global - Environmental - Genomic Health SciencesNoah Sather