This year’s theme, “Making the Public’s Health a National Priority,” emphasized the urgent need to elevate prevention and wellness as central to national health policy. The meeting brought together thousands of professionals, researchers, and advocates from around the world to exchange ideas, share findings, and forge collaborations that drive impact across communities.

Students Take the Stage

Department students were active contributors throughout the four-day conference, presenting research across mental health, cancer prevention, occupational health, environmental health, health equity, and adolescent health behaviors. Their participation reflects the department’s commitment to preparing public health leaders equipped to translate scientific evidence into community impact.

M.D./M.P.H. students presented a wide range of studies connecting clinical care, health disparities, and population health:

• Yashmitha Sadasivuni delivered an oral presentation analyzing national HINTS data to assess changes in depression and anxiety prevalence before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found rising rates of mental health conditions and strong associations with lower perceived quality of healthcare, highlighting the importance of patient-centered clinical approaches.
• Sharareh Afshani presented a poster examining breast MRI non-compliance among U.S. women with a family history of breast cancer. Using 2023 NHIS data, the study identified significant gaps in adherence to national screening guidelines, particularly among younger women and those without a usual source of care.
• Annika Dhawan presented two studies. Her poster explored major depressive disorder and hospital performance metrics among ethnically diverse patients with metastatic cancer. She also delivered an oral lightning presentation on performance metrics related to alcohol use disorder among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White populations. Her oral presentation received an Outstanding Student Work recognition.
• Zhuochen Yuan presented findings from a study analyzing pediatric vision screening, referral, and follow-up using 2022–2023 NSCH data. The research identified lower screening rates among first- and second-generation children and underscored the importance of linguistically appropriate follow-up care. Yuan also co-authored a poster with M.D./M.P.H. classmate Allan George.
• Maya Patel examined racial differences in sexual activity and contraceptive use among Asian American high school students compared with their peers. Her presentation highlighted the need for culturally sensitive sex education in U.S. schools.
• Morgan Johnson presented research from the CHWs CARE Project analyzing community health workers’ palliative care knowledge and their confidence in advance care planning. The work generated discussion on integrating palliative care competencies into community health worker training programs.
• Rebecca Kaiser presented two studies. Her poster on skin cancer and turnout gear vulnerabilities among firefighters, completed through the Firefighter Cancer Initiative, earned Fourth Prize in the Occupational Health and Safety Section’s poster competition. She also delivered an oral presentation examining how the urban heat island effect and tree canopy coverage relate to melanoma incidence in Miami-Dade County.

Ph.D. students from the department delivered research spanning cognitive aging, cancer disparities, survivorship, and lifestyle factors.

• Saurabh Kalra, Ph.D. student in Epidemiology, presented both an oral and a poster presentation. His oral presentation examined whether paranoid delusions mediate the relationship between depression severity and cognitive decline using data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center. The study found that delusions mediated approximately 19% of the association, demonstrating the value of integrated screening in older adults. His poster analyzed stage-specific disparities in esophageal cancer outcomes using the Florida Cancer Registry. Findings showed higher cause-specific mortality among non-Hispanic Black patients at localized and regional stages, driven in part by lower treatment receipt. Kalra received the Safety Scholar Award in Injury Prevention from the APHA Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section.
• LaShae Rolle, Ph.D. candidate in Prevention Science and Community Health, presented research evaluating associations between serum carotenoid levels and mortality risk among adult cancer survivors using NHANES data. The study found that lower carotenoid levels were associated with higher all-cause and cancer-specific mortality, underscoring the importance of nutrition in survivorship. She attended the meeting with support from the University of Miami Graduate Student Travel Award.

Research staff from the department also showcased work advancing occupational health and cancer prevention.

• Madeleine Sayre, B.Sc., Research Support Specialist in the Caban-Martinez Laboratory, earned First Prize and Second Prize in the Occupational Health and Safety Section’s poster competition. Her first-place project examined perceived health hazards and safety challenges among Florida wildland firefighters. Her second-place poster assessed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure among U.S. volunteer firefighters through data from the Firefighter Cancer Initiative ECHOS Study.

Connecting the Community

On Monday evening, November 3, the department hosted its annual Social at The Oceanaire Seafood Room, offering a welcoming space for students, alumni, and faculty to reconnect and reflect on the meeting’s discussions. The gathering celebrated shared achievements and strengthened bonds among the growing network of scholars and practitioners.

“APHA brings our community together in a truly special way,” said Interim Chair Kathryn McCollister, Ph.D. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate the work of our students and faculty, to learn from peers across the nation, and to reaffirm our collective mission to improve population health.”

Showcasing the Department’s Impact

Throughout the conference, attendees visited the department’s exhibitor booth to learn more about academic programs, research initiatives, and community partnerships. Faculty and staff engaged with prospective students, collaborators, and alumni, sharing the department’s growing contributions to public health research and education.

“Supporting the booth this year gave us the chance to speak with individuals at all stages of their public health careers,” said Margie Jimenez, M.A., CRA, department assistant chair.

“The level of interest in our programs continues to grow, and it was rewarding to help prospective students learn how the University of Miami can support their goals.”

This year, the booth featured an expanded presence, with the School of Nursing and Health Studies joining the space to showcase academic offerings and materials, including information on the BEAM certificate program. Visitors inquired about Ph.D. programs, the M.D./M.P.H. track, and postdoctoral and faculty opportunities, reflecting broad interest in the department’s training pathways. Program brochures and branded materials supported these conversations and contributed to steady engagement throughout the meeting.

Rosa Verdeja, who supported booth staffing during the event, noted the strong interest in public health communication and the meaningful exchanges sparked by the department’s presence. She highlighted conversations with peers from other institutions, as well as interactions with alumni who visited the booth to reconnect and share their pride in the UM community.

Faculty attendees included Drs. Viviana Horigian, Alberto Caban-Martinez, and Victor Rosenthal. Staff support was provided by Graduate Programs and administrative team members Margie Jimenez, Heather Rose, Rosa Verdeja, Carlen Duncombe, Manuela Lopez, and Chelsea Honore, along with research staff member Madeleine Sayre. Their collective efforts contributed to a welcoming and informative space for visitors across the three exhibit days.

The department also confirmed its booth space for the 2026 APHA Annual Meeting, ensuring continued visibility at the nation’s largest public health gathering.

Department staff also participated in the This Is Public Health (TIPH) Graduate Fair at George Washington University on November 5. The event provided an additional opportunity to connect with prospective students and share information about graduate pathways in public health.

Advancing Public Health Beyond the Conference

The exchange of ideas in Washington, D.C., didn’t end when the conference closed. Students, faculty, and alumni returned energized to apply new insights, expand collaborations, and strengthen initiatives that advance public health in their communities and beyond.

Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published on November 20, 2025.