DPHS February 2020 Newsletter

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Department of Public Health Sciences

February 27, 2020

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Department of Public Health Sciences More than Doubles in NIH Research Grant Funding The department received $11.8 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research grants in Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2019, raising the department from No. 19 in FFY2018 ($5.4 million) to No. 13 in FFY2019 ($11.8 million) – according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research – in public health departments within medical schools. The department also increased four spots since FFY2018 (No. 8), placing it as the fourth-highest NIH-funded department within the Miller School of

Medicine. For rankings compared to schools of public health, the department is now No. 20, representing a seven-spot increase from FFY2018 (No. 27).

Dr. Gio Baracco Weighs in on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 The coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. It has now been detected in over 40 locations internationally, including cases in the United States. Dr. Baracco, an infectious disease specialist at the Miami Veterans Affairs Health System and professor at the Miller School of Medicine, engaged in a Q&A with the Department of Public Health Sciences on the respiratory disease. Dr. JosĂŠ Szapocznik, chair emeritus and professor at the Department of Public Health Sciences, also participated in the Q&A.

Dr. Hansel Tookes Named as One of the 2020 Herald Influencers Hansel Tookes, M.D., M.P.H., an alumnus of the Master of Public Health program at the Department of Public Health Sciences, was one of two University of Miami leaders to be selected to the Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald and Bradenton Herald 2020 Florida Influencers series. Dr. Tookes and a group of statewide leaders from a variety of perspectives and industries will assess major challenges in the state of Florida, as well as find solutions for these challenges.

RESEARCH AND INITIATIVES

Study Examines 33-Year Data to Investigate Cancer Risk in over 100,000 Career Florida Firefighters

Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits Found to be An Effective Mosquito Control Method in Mali, West Africa

NEW PROJECTS

Global Public Health Protection Against the Spread of Infectious Diseases The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Global Public Health Institute at the University of Miami, in a unique collaboration with the Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences, will engage in global public health policy analysis and research to generate objective evidence that can help guide improvements in public health policy at the global, regional, national and local levels.

This collaboration will be led by Dr. Jorge Saavedra, executive director at the AHF Institute, and Dr. JosĂŠ Szapocznik, who is chair emeritus and professor at the Department of Public Health Sciences, on behalf of the University of Miami.

Public Health Researchers to Study a Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Smartphone Application for People Living With HIV Taghrid Asfar, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Population Health Sciences at the Department of Public Health Sciences, and a group of public health experts are working on a study that will develop a mindfulness smartphone application for smoking cessation, specifically targeting people who live with HIV. The project, funded by the Center for AIDS Research, will adapt an existing mindfulness-based smoking cessation smartphone application – Craving to Quit – for people living with HIV.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC HEALTH

Upcoming Priority Deadline for Graduate Programs in Public Health The priority deadline is on March 1, 2020. Scholarships are available and a separate application is not required.

The department also offers opportunities for students to work as part-time graduate, research, and teaching assistants.

PUBLIC HEALTH NEWS News@TheU: Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for the University of Miami community Miami Herald: Worried about coronavirus in Miami? This is what you can do to prepare for it NBC 6 Miami: Experts Gather at UM to Discuss Climate Change in Florida News@TheU: High pollen levels hit Miami

“The department has seen a steady rise in NIH research productivity over the last number of years. It is a testament to the persistence and hard work of our talented faculty, but also reflects important contributions from our staff, graduate students, research collaborators and community partners.”

— J. SUNIL RAO, PH.D., PROFESSOR, DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF BIOSTATISTICS, AND INTERIM CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT FROM JUNE 2016 TO DECEMBER 2019

UPCOMING EVENTS Mar 28

8:00 am The 2020 Climate and Health Symposium, a one-day event, is open to the University of Miami community, clinicians, researchers, general public and other stakeholders. For the UM community, there are 70 complementary tickets available. Use the 'UMStudentMillerSchool' code to secure your place.

Connect With Us

SCENE AT DPHS

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement at the Miller School of Medicine celebrated black history month by leading various events for the community.

One of the events, led by Dr. Rhoda K. Moise, an alumna of the Ph.D. in Prevention Science and Community Health program, was a photovoice research exhibit on cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Haiti. The study identified the barriers to cervical cancer prevention and control in Haitian women by using photovoice, a community-based participatory research method.

Department of Public Health Sciences 1120 NW 14th Street CRB 919 Miami, FL 33136 305-243-8331

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For media inquiries, please contact Amanda Torres at axt785@miami.edu.

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