University of Iowa College of Public Health

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, but why? In this episode of Plugged In to Public Health, host Maxwell Hanson talks with Dr. Patrick Sinn, a pediatric pulmonologist and researcher at the University of Iowa, whose work has reshaped how scientists understand measles transmission. Dr. Sinn’s lab made a surprising discovery that challenged decades of assumptions about how th...

Ticks, mosquitoes, and climate change are shaping the future of infectious disease and public health. In this episode, host Lauren Lavin talks with Dr. Kathryn Dalton, a veterinarian turned researcher and assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, about the rise of vector borne diseases. Dr. Dalton explains how environmental changes are expanding the reach of ticks and...

When a mumps outbreak hits a small progressive school in Berkeley, California, parents who once agreed on everything find themselves suddenly divided. Eureka Day, a play by Jonathan Spector, uses humor and heart to explore the messy intersection of personal choice, public health, and community trust. In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, we talk with Kathleen Johnson, Director of Outreach...

Pregnancy pain is common, often dismissed, and rarely easy to manage. At the same time, recent headlines have stirred anxiety by suggesting that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use in pregnancy may be linked to autism. These claims spread quickly online, leaving many parents-to-be with more questions than answers. In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, host Lauren Lavin talks with Dr. Julie Vignat...

Part 2: Care-giving, Innovation, and Lessons from Older Adults: what does it take to age well in practice—and what can younger generations learn from those who’ve gone before us? In Part Two, we continue our conversation with Jennifer Jones and Angela Charsha-Harney to look at the realities of care-giving, promising practices like age-friendly health systems, and the power of inter-generational co...

Aging is something we all share in common, yet it’s often framed as decline rather than growth. In this first part of our conversation with Jennifer Jones of the Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence and Angela Charsha-Harney, Associate Director of Fitness and founder of thinkJOY, we explore how reframing aging can transform health and community. Jennifer and Angela share the origins of thei...

Even though polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were banned nearly 50 years ago, these persistent chemicals are still part of our daily environment. In this episode of Plugged into Public Health, we talk with Dr. Amanda Bullert, neuroscientist and research consultant at the University of Minnesota, about what PCBs are, how exposure still happens today, and what her team’s research reveals about their...

What happens when science and policy collide — and how can we prepare for the environmental health challenges ahead? In part two of our series with Dr. Peter Thorne, University of Iowa Distinguished Chair and Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health, we dig into persistent pollutants, climate change, and the future of science-informed policymaking. In this episode, you’ll learn about: •...

In this two-part interview, Dr. Peter Thorne, University of Iowa Distinguished Chair and Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health and a leading expert in toxicology, provides an in-depth overview of how the federal government regulates chemicals in food, water, and air. Key points: • The EPA and FDA are science-based organizations that interpret laws passed by Congress and apply the best...

This episode discusses physical activity and its role in preventing chronic disease, featuring an interview with Dr. Lucas Carr, an associate professor of Health and Human Physiology at the University of Iowa and leading researcher in lifestyle interventions and health behavior change. Key points include: Dr. Carr's research focuses on the behavior science behind habit formation and helping people...

Lauren welcomes UI College of Public Health alumna Madison Snitker Harrelson, who is currently serving as a health educator and emergency preparedness coordinator for Dodge County Public Health in Minnesota. In this role, she combines strategic planning with community engagement to prepare the county for emergencies ranging from extreme weather to infectious disease outbreaks. Snitker Harrelson hi...

Lauren welcomes her guest Megan Mindy, a recent public health graduate from the University of Iowa. Megan shares her journey blending her passions for disability advocacy, inclusive recreation, and entrepreneurship. Her experiences include an internship at the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, participation in the LEND program, and a study abroad trip to Cape Town exp...

Lauren welcomes Gulrukh Mehboob for a discussion about the impacts of relaxed staff training and licensing requirements on nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gul is a Fulbright PhD scholar at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, studying health workforce policy, particularly in long-term care settings. • Between March 2020 and September 2021, 19 states reduced CNA training and...

This week's episode inludes a terrific discussion about the Breast Cancer Prevention Program (BCPP) at the National University of Singapore, a multifaceted research initiative aimed at improving breast cancer screening, care, and prevention in Southeast Asia. Led by Dr. Mikael Hartman and Jenny, the program collaborates with medical anthropologist Dr. Cynthia Chou to integrate cultural and communi...

Dr. Nichole Nidey joins Lauren to talk about the Empower Project; a collaborative effort that aims to improve research and clinical care related to substance use during pregnancy. It includes researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals with lived experience of drug use during pregnancy. The project has grown from an initial group of 6 mothers in 2019 to over 20 mothers from 8 states. A...

This episode features an interview with Dr. Shadi Saleh, the founding director of the Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut. Dr. Saleh discusses the institute's work to shift the global health paradigm from a North-led, implementer-driven model to one where institutions in the Global South are originators of context-driven solutions. Key highlights include: • The institute's...

This week, Lauren welcomes UI College of Public Health alumnus and recipient of the college's 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award, Dr. Vijay Golla. They discuss his journey into public health that began with his medical training in India, where he became interested in preventive medicine and social medicine. This led him to pursue a Ph. D. in industrial hygiene at the University of Iowa, where he focuse...

Lauren welcomes Mary Charlton to the podcast to discuss the Iowa Cancer Registry's "99 Counties" project. The "Cancer in Iowa 99 Counties" project aims to educate Iowans about the high cancer rates in the state, the types of cancer driving these rates, and risk factors that can be addressed through policy and community action Iowa has the second-highest cancer incidence rate in the U.S., with the...

This is part 2 with guests, Jeanie Kimbel and Sophie Switzer from the University of Iowa College of Public Health's Career Services Office. They provide practical tips on building authentic connections, asking the right questions, and mapping your next steps, even if you're not sure where you want to end up. They emphasize that networking is more than just formal events - it's about telling the pe...

This two-part podcast episode discusses career readiness and preparation for a career in public health. The guests, Jeanie Kimbel and Sophie Switzer from the University of Iowa College of Public Health's Career Services Office, provide practical advice on getting started with the job search, including tips for crafting resumes and cover letters, avoiding common mistakes, and highlighting relevant...

This episode features an interview with Dr. Anjali Deshpande, a clinical associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and the current president of the Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA). Dr. Deshpande discusses her journey into public health, the role of IPHA in advocating for and strengthening public health practice in Iowa, and the challenges facing t...

This week, Lauren introduces some of our newest student podcasters, Raj, Caroline, and Max. They discuss their backgrounds, what excites them about public health, and their experiences so far in graduate school. Key takeaways: The podcasters come from diverse backgrounds, including epidemiology, agricultural safety and health, and public health more broadly. They are passionate about topics like i...

In this episode, Dr. Denise Jamieson, the Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa, shares her vision and priorities for improving healthcare in Iowa. She focuses on serving the state’s 3.2 million residents through clinical care, education, and research at UI Health Care. Dr. Jamieson discusses her goal of building an integrated, effi...

Tristan and Victor host a discussion with Dr. Alana Knudson, director and Senior Fellow at the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis. Key points include: Dr. Knudson's early passion for rural health, stemming from her upbringing in a rural North Dakota community and work with the state's Department of Health. The challenges facing rural communities, particularly around poverty, livable wages...

This podcast episode explores the critical role of social connections in public health with researcher and faculty member Dr. Paul Gilbert. Dr. Gilbert discusses how social determinants of health, including the social environment and community structures, shape our well-being. He highlights the importance of social ties and the negative impacts of social isolation and loneliness, especially on vul...