News
News stories and community announcements concerning members of the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, as well as interviews.
We are EPH: Meet Alice Whittemore
Alice Whittemore, PhD, Professor Emerita, has dedicated her career to understanding cancers' genetic and environmental mechanisms by integrating mathematics and biology. Her research focuses on statistical methods for epidemiological studies of site-specific cancers, particularly cancers of the prostate, breast, ovaries, and skin.
EPH Professor Michelle Odden honored by Stanford Women's Faculty Forum
EPH Professor Michelle Odden was recently recognized by the Stanford Faculty Women's Forum as a recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Mentor Award. This award is presented to faculty members who consistently create opportunities for the academic advancement of women at Stanford and recognizes individuals who promote and sponsor Stanford women students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and/or faculty for opportunities and advancement.
EPH students receive fellowships and awards
The Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education recently announced its 2024 Fellows. Five EPH students are recipients of fellowships or awards administered by the VPGE office.
Food as Medicine Intervetions Can Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
March 23, 2024 - EPH Professor Lisa Goldman Rosas recently presented a new study at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024. The study shows that implementing a Food as Medicine program improved diet and physical activity and reduced cardiovascular risk factors among participants. After 16 weeks of free, weekly home delivery of fresh produce, study participants boosted their fruit and vegetable consumption by almost 1/2 of a serving per day and added 42 minutes to their weekly level of physical activity. A year later, participants had better blood sugar control, lower bad cholesterol levels, and improved cardiovascular health measures.
Study Estimates Nearly 70 Percent of Children Under Six in Chicago may be Exposed to Lead-Contaminated Water
March 18, 2024 - EPH Professor Mathew Kiang is the senior author of a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics that estimates that 68 percent of Chicago children under age 6 are exposed to lead in their drinking water. Kiang and fellow researchers developed AI models that made citywide estimates of the number of children under 5 living in homes with lead-contaminated drinking water and determined that Black and Hispanic children were more likely than white children to live in homes where the water contained lead.
Melissa Bondy awarded American Society of Preventive Oncology Fraumeni Distinguished Achievement Award
March 1, 2024 - EPH Chair Dr. Melissa Bondy is the recipient of the 2024 Fraumeni Distinguished Achievement Award, the highest honor awarded by the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) . The award is given annually to an outstanding scientist in the area of preventative oncology, cancer control, and/or cancer prevention. Dr. Bondy and EPH's Dr. Ann Hsing were part of the 2017 ASPO executive committee that renamed the award after Dr. Joeseph Fraumeni in recognition of his contributions to cancer etiology and prevention.
Alexis Reeves provides input to California Committee of Reproductive Health on incorporating menopause into health policy
February 21, 2024 – EPH Postdoc Alexis Reeves recently provided input to a California Committee of Reproductive Health on incorporating menopause into the state's health policies.
How a Stanford study revealed the success of research failures
February 20, 2024 – Steven Goodman, EPH professor and leader of the Stanford Program on Research Rigor and Reproducibility, discusses the scientific benefits of failed experiments and the importance of research reproducibility.
In our own words: What Black History Month means to us
February 15, 2024 – EPH faculty, staff and students reflect on Black History Month and share some work focused on improving health equity in Black communities.
Healthy eating and activity reverse aging marker in kids with obesity
January 19, 2024 – A new study led by EPH professor David Rehkopf finds a genetic marker linked to premature aging was reversed in children with obesity during a six-month diet and exercise program.
New study finds metastatic breast cancer treatments have aided decline in deaths
January 17, 2024 – Dr. Allison Kurian, professor of medicine and of epidemiology and population health, is a co-senior author of a new study that finds deaths from breast cancer dropped 58% between 1975 and 2019 due to a combination of screening mammography and improvements in treatment.
Professor Langston presents cancer equity research to White House officials
Dec 20, 2023 – Dr. Marvin Langston was one of three Cancer Moonshot Scholars to present research alongside more than 40 federally-supported science and technology innovations at American Possibilities: A White House Demo Day, on November 7, 2023, in Washington DC.
The Cancer Moonshot Scholars program is designed to advance cancer science while also diversifying the pool of researchers and the approaches to cancer research that the NCI funds. Dr. Langston's project addresses tailored prostate cancer screening and addresses the USPSTF priority research gaps in a racially diverse study population.
EPH Professor David Rehkopf wins health equity research award
October 5, 2023 – David Rehkopf, EPH professor and director of the Stanford Center for Population Health Sciences, was recently awarded the Humana Foundation Excellence in Health Equity Research Award by the Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Sciences (IAPHS). IAPHS writes, "HIs work demonstrates health implications of decisions in ways that can give public and policymakers evidence to support new strategies for promoting population health and health equity."
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AHEaD Scholars share their experiences
October 1, 2023 – Last summer, Stanford hosted eight AHEaD (Advancing Health Equity and Diversity) scholars on campus for an immersive experience in population health research. Students participated in population health course modules, professional development training, and mentored research experience with a Stanford faculty mentor.
EPH PhD student Yiran Liu named Stanford Lieberman Fellow
September 28, 2023 – Congratulations to EPH PhD student Yiran Liu on being named a Stanford Lieberman Fellow. Each year, twelve fellowships are awarded across schools. The Lieberman Fellowships are intended to support graduate students who have already demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and the potential for leadership roles within the academic community and promising careers in university teaching and research.
Investigating human trafficking in Brazil
Langston Named Cancer Moonshot Scholar
August 3, 2023 – Dr. Marvin Langston was named to the inaugural cohort of Cancer Moonshot Scholars, a program launched by President Biden last year to support early-career researchers and help build a cancer research workforce that better represents the diversity of America. Dr. Langston will examine diverse risk-based approaches to prostate cancer screening.
Luciana Yerena honored for outstanding service and leadership
EPH celebrates 2023 graduates
EPH Professor Jade Benjamin-Chung's work in Bangladesh featured in Stanford Medicine Magazine
Two EPH professors win 2023 Stanford Faculty Women's Forum Awards
Personalized PSA levels could improve prostate cancer screening
EPH Professor Jade Benjamin-Chung awarded Rosenkranz Prize
Genes linked to familial brain cancer identified in study led by EPH Chair Melissa Bondy
EPH PhD students research climate change and cardiovascular health
EPH Professor Julie Parsonnet explains how doctors can make gun safety part of routine care
“There are specific at-risk groups that we know are at high risk of gun violence or gun injury,” says Parsonnet. “Safe storage reduces those deaths and, just like having a car seat, we should be talking to families about it.”
EPH Assistant Professor Lisa Goldman Rosas' Food for Health Equity Lab working with Instacart on White House health initiative
Epidemiology and Population Science featured in the latest issue of Stanford Medicine Magazine
Feb. 1, 2023 - The year's first issue of Stanford Medicine Magazine focuses on the nonmedical factors that impact health. This issue heavily features the work and research of Epidemiology and Population Health faculty.
In the magazine's feature section:
- David Rehkopf explains social determinants of health;
- Abby King describes the Our Voice citizen science method designed to help community members track facilitators and barriers to healthy living in their own neighborhoods; and
- Stanford Center for Population Health Sciences is recognized for providing access to large databases that can be used to address population health questions.
Elsewhere in the magazine:
- Alyce Adams explains her work to improve the quality of health care and outcomes for minoritized individuals and those from underserved communities; and
- An article focused on David Rehkopf's mission to understand the secret to longevity in Nicoya, Costa Rica.
Dr. Abby King appointed to Susan and David Heckerman Professorship
October 27, 2022. The Department of Epidemiology and Population Health is pleased to share the news that Abby King, Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health and of Research, is the newest holder of the Susan and David Heckerman Professorship. The professorship was made possible by gifts from Susan and David Heckerman, PhD ’90, MD ’92.
Dr. King’s research focuses on the development, evaluation and translation of public health interventions to reduce chronic disease in the US and globally. Her current research focuses on expanding the reach and generalizability of evidence-based interventions through use of state-of-the-art communication technologies; community-based participatory research perspectives to address health disparities among disadvantaged populations; and policy-level approaches to health promotion. Dr. King and Dr. Heckerman share a strong interest in improving health by addressing diet and exercise across diverse groups.
Dr. King’s professorship was confirmed by the Stanford Board of Trustees in October 2022.
Lorene Nelson & Stanford colleagues win UCB-Stanford Industrial Relation & Digital Health Research Award
February 14, 2022. Ying Lu, together with visiting scholar Ruben van Eijk and Tze Lai and Lu Tian of the Department of Biomedical Data Science and the Center for Innovative Study Design, plus Lorene Nelson of Epidemiology and the Center for Population Health Sciences [pictured here], have recently won an award from UC Berkeley-Stanford Industrial Relations & Digital Health Research Project Solicitations on their proposed project, "Integrating Real World Evidence from Concurrent Registries into ALS Clinical Trials." This award paves the way for software development and training for industry users.
Read more about the UCB and Stanford Digital Health Research Collaborative
Stanford pediatric arbovirologist Desiree LaBeaud’s quest to eradicate mosquito-borne diseases led to an unlikely culprit: plastic trash
February 9, 2022. "In 2021, Stanford pediatrician and arbovirologist Desiree LaBeaud and her colleagues launched the nonprofit organization HERI-Kenya to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Kenya by cleaning up the plastic waste where the insects breed."
Patricia Rodriguez Epinosa's work with Promotoras de Salud Community of Practice recognized by Community Partnership Award
January 31, 2022. "Promotoras de Salud Community of Practice," a partnership developed by E&PH faculty researcher Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa from the ground up as part of the NIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities study, has been selected for a Community Partnership Award. This achievement will be recognized at the Community Partnership Awards and Roland Prize Luncheon on March 4, 2022.
Abby C. King Awarded Miriam Aaron Roland Volunteer Service Prize
January 31, 2022. Dr. Abby C. King, Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health; Professor of Medicine, has been awarded the Miriam Aaron Roland Volunteer Service Prize. She is being celebrated for her commitment to health equity, access, and outcomes. Dr King will be honored at the Community Partnership Awards and Roland Prize Luncheon on March 4th.
Lisa Goldman Rosas receives SBM's Award for Health Engagement
January 13, 2022. Warm congratulations to Lisa Goldman Rosas for being honored with the Society of Behavioral Medicine's (SBM's) Jessie Gruman Award For Health Engagement! It is a tremendous achievement to be chosen for this prestigious national award, which recognizes outstanding work in, and commitment to, patient engagement and health equity.
Jade Benjamin-Chung named Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator
January 11, 2022. E&PH faculty researcher Jade Benjamin-Chung had been selected to join the second cohort of scientists to be named Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigators following a competition for individual awards. (The first competition for individual awards was held in 2016, for awards beginning 2017, and a competition for team-based awards was held in 2018.) The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator Program, open to faculty from Stanford University, UC San Francisco, and UC Berkeley, funds innovative, visionary research with the goal of building and sustaining an engaged, interactive, and collaborative community of researchers that spans across disciplines and across the three campuses to help solve critical challenges in biomedicine.
Column: The Theranos verdict won’t stop investors from pouring money into the next big fraud
January 3, 2022. E&PH faculty researcher John Ioannidis is featured in this column. To Dr. Ioannidis, Theranos's choice to develop its tech secretly presented a risk: “Stealth research creates total ambiguity about what evidence can be trusted in a mix of possibly brilliant ideas, aggressive corporate announcements, & mass media hype.”
EPH Faculty Spotlight Series
EPH faculty are doing amazing things. Learn more about their work in the Faculty Spotlight Series.