College of Public Health

Summer Camps

Health Informatics

Nutrition and Weight Management

Food as medicine: Six insights from a 911�� nutrition expert

Heather Carroll — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:08:52 +0000

Food as medicine: Six insights from a 911�� nutrition expert Heather Carroll Mon, 08/17/2026 - 11:08

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

Key Takeaways

911�� nutrition expert and registered dietitian Raedah Basiri shared six key lessons with Honors College students, emphasizing that personalized, gradual nutrition changes are often more effective than one-size-fits-all approaches to preventing and managing chronic disease.
Basiri highlighted the importance of nutrition in health care, noting that diet-based interventions, supported by technology and real-time feedback, can improve long-term health outcomes and encourage healthier behaviors.
She also stressed that nutrition support remains essential even when patients use weight-loss medications, and that building trust between patients and health care providers is critical.

911�� community health students share their insights from nutrition professor and registered dietitian Raedah Basiri for their Honors College project exploring nutrition interventions for chronic disease.

Community Health student Janay Hopgood

The concept of food as medicine is gaining traction as a way to prevent and manage chronic disease. During an Honors College consulting course (Honors 260), community health student Janay Hopgood and a teammate interviewed Raedeh Basiri, assistant professor of nutrition and a registered dietitian, to inform their approach.

Their project challenged them to develop an innovative solution to improve long-term health outcomes and prevent chronic disease among a health care organization partner.

"We aimed to integrate nutrition into health care by leveraging technology, community partnerships, and data-driven strategies to promote healthier lifestyles and advance health equity," Hopgood said. "Dr. Basiri helped us better understand which avenues of research and implementation were realistic, challenged common misconceptions, and provided thoughtful feedback. Most importantly, she created a space where we could openly discuss our developing concept and draw upon her knowledge and experience."

Here are six insights that Hopgood and her partner developed from their interview with Basiri:

Personalization matters.
Effective nutrition interventions start with collecting comprehensive data to understand the whole person, including their food access, finances, lifestyle, physical activity, and living environment. One-size-fits-all recommendations rarely work, Basiri said.
Start small.
Bombarding people with too much nutrition information at once isn't sustainable. Introducing small, personalized changes gradually is more likely to improve health outcomes.
Nutrition is too often overlooked in favor of medication.
Basiri highlighted a gap between nutrition research and clinical practice. When lifestyle changes don't produce immediate results, patients often get moved to medication despite strong evidence supporting the long-term benefits of dietary interventions.
Real-time feedback encourages behavior change.
Basiri said technology can help patients better understand how food affects their health, especially for those with limited access to a physician. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time feedback that can increase compliance, while artificial intelligence tools can help deliver similar personalized guidance.
Weight-loss medications still need nutritional support.
Although GLP-1 medications are effective for weight loss, Basiri noted that they can also contribute to issues such as malnutrition, hair loss, and bone density loss. Nutrition support, she said, can help ensure patients don't "solve the problem and create another one."
Trust is the foundation of lasting impact.
Basiri emphasized that successful nutrition programs are built on trust, both between nutrition practitioners and patients, and between nutrition practitioners and other health care professionals. Positive outcomes are most likely to create that trust, leading to more referrals and greater demand for nutrition-based services.

Topics

CPH Student Research

Weight Control

Research

Honors College

From bioengineering to big bands, 911�� camps focus on well-being

sholla4 — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 20:12:05 +0000

From bioengineering to big bands, 911�� camps focus on well-being sholla4 Wed, 08/12/2026 - 16:12

Year-round, 911��'s colleges, centers, and labs are taking a people-first integrated approach to human health and well-being that advances science, develops talent, and strengthens communities. That includes the summer, when labs and studios open their doors for the community to learn how innovations in art and science can make our world a healthier place.

From bioengineering to big bands, these summer programs are teaching all ages that 911��'s Grand Challenge Initiative solution of "improving human health, well-being, and preparedness" is about more than numbers in a medical chart.

BioE Buzz summer campers learn about bioengineering by testing exoskeletons and biomechanics while interacting with 911�� faculty and students .Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

BioE Buzz

In its third year, BioE Buzz introduces high school students to the greater field of bioengineering and groundbreaking research at 911��. Rising juniors and seniors get hands-on experience with bioengineering technologies like 3D printing and ultrasound, learn about nanofabrication and tissue engineering, meet faculty and researchers from the Department of Bioengineering, and compete as a team for a one-week internship in one of 911��'s research labs.

"We love when campers connect with one another over a shared passion for solving problems in biology and medicine," said Khadija Zaidi-Rashid, assistant professor in the College of Engineering and Computing and codirector of BioE Buzz camp.

This year's 24 campers designed cardiac stents, extracted collagen and created polymers from animal tissues, and controlled a hand prothesis with bio signals. They also got a taste of college life: eating in dining halls, touring facilities, and learning team-building at The Edge on the Science and Technology Campus. Current 911�� undergraduates and graduate students serve as coordinators, counselors, and teachers for the camp as well, so campers can see a full picture of what's possible at 911��.

"Whether our campers select a path in health policy, medical sciences, academic research, or entrepreneurship, they are all united in their passion for making a true impact on humanity," said Zaidi-Rashid.

AI in Health

A new camp for 2026, the AI in Health Camp introduces rising high school juniors and seniors to how artificial intelligence is used in health care and public health and how it can be designed and evaluated responsibly.

"The camp is designed to prepare the next generation to use AI responsibly to improve patient safety, expand access to reliable health information, and make the information more accessible and understandable through inclusive design," said Maria Uriyo, an associate professor in the College of Public Health. "By reaching high school students early, the camp helps them explore emerging careers at the intersection of AI, health care, and public health while contributing to a more inclusive future health workforce."

Over the course of one week, students build foundational skills in AI literacy, practicing user-centered and inclusive design and safe and responsible AI use through daily AI Maker Labs. Graduate students in the Department of Health Administration, Policy and Informatics coach campers through designing and building community health chatbots. On the last day of camp, students present their work at a student showcase.

"We want students to understand that AI can be a powerful tool for health, but it always needs human judgment, safety checks, and inclusive design to provide meaningful and responsible benefits," said Uriyo.

911�� Jazz Camp

Human health and well-being is more than a matter of science. "Jazz music is said to 'wash away the dust of life,' improve our mental agility, and help us discover our true selves," said John Kocur, an associate professor of jazz studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

911�� Jazz Camp has existed in various forms since 2005, with its current form in its fifth year. This year, 87 students attended to learn music theory, practice improvisation, work with master musicians, and perform. Each day ends with a concert by a professional musician. The goal: developing the creative capacity of each musician and immersing them in the culture so they can experience the benefits of jazz throughout their lives.

"We hope each student remembers what it feels like to express yourself through your instrument spontaneously while jamming along with others," said Kocur.

And at 911�� Jazz Camp, these experiences are open to all. This year's cohort included 12 adult students, demonstrating how finding wellness through music can be done at any age.

"This music has served vital roles of survival for over a century, and it still has many lessons to teach us about cooperation, personal expression, and peace," said Kocur. "Whether you are an experienced improviser or just getting started, the expert faculty will help you realize your potential and grow into the musician you want to become."

Roxy Coss, the Artist-in-Residence for the 2026 911�� Jazz Camp with faculty on the Center for the Arts stage, Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

See how 911�� is improving human health, well-being, and preparedness

Topics

College of Engineering and Computing

Summer Camps

College of Visual and Performing Arts

911�� Jazz Camp

Bioengineering

GCI-Health

From military medicine to health policy: A distinguished alum reflects on his PhD experience

Heather Carroll — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:24:04 +0000

From military medicine to health policy: A distinguished alum reflects on his PhD experience Heather Carroll Mon, 08/10/2026 - 10:24

Key Takeaways

Christian Betancourt, PhD Health Services Research ’22, will receive the 911�� College of Public Health’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for his leadership in military, federal, and academic health care.
Betancourt credits 911��’s mentorship and hands-on research with helping him translate complex data into evidence-based health policy.
Now an assistant professor at Uniformed Services University and deputy chief within the Defense Health Agency’s Health Informatics Division, Betancourt mentors future military health care leaders.

Christian Betancourt, PhD Health Services Research '22, and the College of Public Health's 2026 Distinguished Alumni, discusses how the mentorship and hands-on research at 911�� continue to influence his work at Uniformed Services University and the Defense Health Agency.

Christian Betancourt
photo provided

Four years after earning his PhD in Health Services Research, Christian Betancourt will return to 911�� this fall to receive the College of Public Health's 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Today, Betancourt serves as an assistant professor at Uniformed Services University and deputy chief within the Defense Health Agency's Health Informatics Division. Over his nearly three-decade career spanning military, federal, and academic health care, he has led veterans' mental health programs, directed a nationally ranked graduate program, and advanced health informatics and policy across the military health system.

Bentacourt recently reflected on how his 911�� experience continues to influence his career and daily decisions.

Why did you choose the 911�� College of Public Health?

After more than 20 years as a financial and administrative officer in federal health care, including time with the Navy, Marine Corps, and Veterans Affairs, I had a deep operational understanding of the system's challenges. I chose 911�� because I wanted to move from managing these challenges to fundamentally understanding and solving them. The PhD in Health Services Research has a strong reputation for rigorous, policy-focused research. Its location near the nation's capital and direct connections to major health systems like the Defense Health Agency was the perfect match to bridge my experience with the academic expertise needed to drive meaningful, evidence-based change in federal health care.

What experiences at 911�� had the greatest impact?

The mentorship I received was the cornerstone of my experience. My dissertation committee, especially my chair, Panagiota Kitsantas, treated me as a future colleague, pushing me to think critically about policy, access, and outcomes. My dissertation on substance-use disorders and mental health among U.S. veterans allowed me to apply both quantitative and qualitative research methods to a topic I’m passionate about. My coursework also provided the methodological toolkit I now use at the Defense Health Agency to analyze data and inform policy decisions.

The hands-on research opportunities were equally transformative. As the sole recipient of the Navy's DUINS (Duty Under Instruction) Scholarship to attend 911��, I was able to fully immerse myself in my research.

How did the PhD in Health Services Research program help prepare you for the work you're doing today?

911�� equipped me with the skills to translate complex data into actionable policy insights. The program taught me how to systematically investigate complex health care challenges using rigorous research methodologies. Today, I rely on quantitative data analysis, program evaluation, and qualitative research to understand both the "what" and the "why" behind health trends and develop data-driven solutions.

Just as importantly, my time at 911�� profoundly shaped my identity as an educator and mentor. Experiencing the faculty's dedicated mentorship inspired me to pay that forward in my own teaching. The rigorous academic standards and collaborative environment continue to inform how I develop curricula and mentor the next generation of military health care leaders and public health professionals.

What would you say to someone considering a degree in public health or health services research?

If you are driven to not just work in the health care system but to make the system itself work better, this is the field for you. My career began on the front lines of military medicine, and I saw the challenges firsthand. A degree in Health Services Research gives you the tools to address those challenges on a systemic level. Your work can improve care for thousands or even millions of people by shaping policy, optimizing resources, and ensuring that decisions are based on evidence, not just tradition. It's uniquely challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Learn more about the 2026 911�� Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Learn more about the PhD in Health Services Research.

Considering a PhD in Health Services Research?

Alum Christian Betancourt says the combination of policy-focused research, faculty mentorship, and connections to major federal health organizations gave him a foundation he continues to use in his career.
The program equipped provides with the skills to translate complex data into actionable policy insights and how to systematically investigate complex health care challenges using rigorous research methodologies.
Betancourt's advice: If you want to improve health care on a large scale by shaping policy and making evidence-based decisions, 911��’s health services research programs teaches you the tools to do that.

Topics

Alumni

CPH alum

PhD in Health Services Research

Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAAFS

Military

doctoral students

911��’s Injury Analytics Lab receives patent for AI bruise detection system

Heather Carroll — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:11:25 +0000

911��’s Injury Analytics Lab receives patent for AI bruise detection system Heather Carroll Mon, 08/10/2026 - 10:11

Newly patented AI technology helps get bruise detection tools into the hands of clinicians, law enforcement, and researchers

Can new technology make it easier to understand bruises? That's the question researchers at 911��'s Injury Analytics Lab (IAL) are answering with a patented technology that combines artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, and clinical data to give clinicians, forensic professionals, and researchers better information about skin injuries.

This technology reflects years of collaboration among experts in nursing, health informatics, and engineering, who worked together to transform research into a practical tool for injury assessment.

How the technology works

Image by College of Public Health.

The newly patented technology addresses current challenges in injury assessment by analyzing images of the skin alongside relevant clinical and demographic information from electronic health records. Similar to popular plant identification apps that combine image data with location information, the system uses AI to detect and assess bruise lesions.

"Documenting injuries accurately is essential for both medical treatment and seeking justice for victims of violence," said Associate Professor of Nursing and IAL Co-Director Katherine Scafide. "This patent recognizes our innovative approach that combines artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, and clinical data to help professionals make more informed decisions."

The patented artificial intelligence technology is built on a dedicated injury platform, which includes a large repository of injury images used by computer vision systems, and data from electronic health records that work together to support accurate injury assessment and real-world use. Development of the platform that hosts the data and systems, and related software is led by Professor of Health Informatics and IAL Co-Director Janusz Wojtusiak, while Professor of Engineering and IAL Co-Director David Lattanzi leads development of the computer vision systems and user-centered design.

One of the most innovative aspects of the patented technology is its ability to tailor imaging conditions such as light wavelength and camera filter to each individual.

Rather than relying on a standard lighting setup, the system can determine a person's skin color and select the most effective light wavelengths, filters, and imaging conditions for capturing injury evidence. By optimizing imaging for each person, the technology can improve injury detection and assessment across a wide range of skin tones, especially for people with darker skin tones, whose injuries can be harder to identify with traditional imaging.

But the technology goes beyond simply determining whether a bruise is present.

The system can estimate characteristics such as a bruise's age, size, color, and shape while also providing information about the confidence of its predictions. By combining visual data with information such as medical history, medications, demographics, and skin color, the technology can account for factors that influence how injuries appear, resulting in more accurate and reliable assessments than images alone.

Why the technology matters

Janusz Wojtusiak and Katherine Scafide in the Injury Analytics Lab. Photo provided

Bruises and other skin injuries have traditionally been difficult to identify and assess. Factors such as skin tone, lighting conditions, and the age of an injury can affect how visible an injury appears, creating challenges for clinicians, forensic professionals, and researchers.

This patented technology helps address those challenges by providing more objective, consistent injury assessments. More accurate documentation can help clinicians make informed treatment decisions, strengthen forensic evidence, support investigations, and give researchers better data to improve future care. By improving injury detection across diverse skin tones, the technology also has the potential to reduce disparities in how injuries are documented and evaluated.

It was also shaped by the needs of the professionals who will use it in real-world settings. “This technology is the result of a user-centric research process that included countless hours of interviews and workshops with health care providers and forensic professionals,” explains Lattanzi. “These groups told us that they need easy-to-use tools that make documentation faster and more reliable. So that’s exactly what we’re building.”

Built on years of research

The patented technology is supported by a library of more than 100,000 images of bruises and other skin characteristics collected through years of interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

The technology identifies and analyzes a wide range of skin features, including bruises, burns, scars, birthmarks, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, and other conditions. This extensive dataset helps train the system's deep-learning models and enables it to recognize patterns that may be difficult for the human eye to detect consistently.

Moving research into practice

The patent marks an important milestone in IAL's broader effort to develop evidence-based technologies that can improve injury assessment and documentation.

Beyond protecting the intellectual property behind the innovation, the patent creates opportunities for new partnerships, commercialization, and broader adoption of the technology. Researchers envision future applications that support health care providers, forensic specialists, law enforcement professionals, researchers, and patients through interfaces tailored to their specific needs.

As the technology continues to advance, the goal remains clear: transforming cutting-edge research into practical tools that improve accuracy, support equity, and help professionals make better-informed decisions when injury documentation matters most.

About the Injury Analytics Lab

Launched in 2026, 911��’s IAL brings together researchers from clinical science, engineering, and health informatics to advance ongoing research focused on injury detection, assessment, and documentation. The lab serves as a hub for interdisciplinary projects that build on years of research to improve patient care, investigations, and legal proceedings.

IAL is directed by an interdisciplinary team including Katherine Scafide (School of Nursing, College of Public Health [CPH]), who leads the lab’s clinical research; Janusz Wojtusiak (Department of Health Administration, Policy, and Informatics, CPH), who leads development of the injury platform and software systems; and David Lattanzi (Volgenau School of Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing), who leads development of the computer vision systems and user-centered design.

Key Takeaways

911�� researchers received a U.S. patent for technology that helps identify, document, and assess bruises and other skin injuries.
The technology tailors imaging to each individual, helping improve injury detection across a wide range of skin tones, particularly for people with darker skin tones.
The patented technology is the result of interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers in nursing, engineering, and health informatics, demonstrating how expertise across multiple fields can advance injury assessment and documentation.
The patent creates opportunities to bring the technology into healthcare, forensic, and research settings, supporting better clinical care, investigations, and future innovation.

In This Story

Janusz Wojtusiak, PhD

David Lattanzi

Topics

injury analytics lab

Bruise Visibility

Research

patent

College of Engineering and Computing

GCI-Health

GCI-Digital

Hines appointed first woman editor-in-chief of ‘Psychology of Men and Masculinities'

Heather Carroll — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:17:45 +0000

Hines appointed first woman editor-in-chief of ‘Psychology of Men and Masculinities' Heather Carroll Tue, 08/04/2026 - 15:17

In This Story

Denise Hines, PhD

Key Takeaways

Denise Hines has been appointed the first woman editor-in-chief of Psychology of Men and Masculinities.
With more than 25 years of experience, Hines is a national expert on men’s lives, mental health, relationships, help-seeking, and intimate partner violence victimization.
This appointment reflects Hines’ scholarship on men and masculinities, and her commitment to mentoring emerging scholars, fostering interdisciplinary research, and translating research findings into real-world solutions.

An international expert on male intimate partner violence, Denise Hines has more than 25 years of experience researching men’s lives, mental health, relationships, and intimate partner violence victimization.

Denise Hines

International expert on male intimate partner violence Denise Hines has been appointed the first woman editor-in-chief of Psychology of Men and Masculinities, a journal of the American Psychological Association.

Hines is the Elisabeth Shirley Enochs Endowed Professor of Social Work at 911��’s College of Public Health and has spent more than 25 years conducting research on men’s lives, mental health, relationships, help-seeking, and intimate partner violence victimization. She is a leader in male intimate partner violence research and help-seeking strategies.

This appointment reflects Hines’ scholarship on men and masculinities, and her longstanding commitment to mentoring early career researchers, fostering interdisciplinary research, and translating research findings into real-world solutions for individuals, families, and communities.

“The journal has played a formative role in advancing understanding of men's lives, health, relationships, and well-being, and I am honored by the opportunity to help shape its future," said Hines. “I am particularly excited to foster rigorous, innovative, and inclusive scholarship that captures the diversity and complexity of men's experiences, supports emerging scholars, and advances research with meaningful implications for practice, policy, and social change. After more than two decades as an author, reviewer, editorial board member, and guest editor, I view this role as an opportunity to give back to a field that has profoundly shaped my professional life while helping position the journal for continued growth and impact.”

Hines served on the journal’s editorial board since 2021 and recently guest edited a special issue focused on men’s experiences with intimate partner violence and family abuse victimization. She has had nine articles published in the journal, including her first-ever publication in 2001. In 2010, she was named in the Top 10 Most Productive Psychology of Men and Masculinity Scholars, and the only female scholar to make the Top 10.

“My work has often focused on populations whose experiences are overlooked or misunderstood, particularly male victims of intimate partner violence, and I hope to continue supporting research that improves practice, policy, and public understanding of men’s experiences,” said Hines.

She begins her four-and-a-half-year term as editor-in-chief of Psychology of Men and Masculinities in January 2027.

Topics

Intimate Partner Violence

Men's Health

Mental Health

Faculty and Staff News

Michelle S. Williams, PhD, MSPH

Case study winners share how the competition prepares students for public health careers

Heather Carroll — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:32:58 +0000

Case study winners share how the competition prepares students for public health careers Heather Carroll Tue, 08/04/2026 - 10:32

Key Takeaways

Three 911�� College of Public Health interdisciplinary teams earned national recognition in the 2026 National Case Study Competition in Health Education, winning two gold awards and one bronze for developing evidence-based mental health interventions.
Students said the competition provided valuable hands-on experience in public health program planning, while strengthening their professional skills, confidence, and ability to solve complex health challenges.
Participants emphasized that working across disciplines was one of the most important lessons, showing how diverse perspectives and expertise lead to stronger public health solutions and better career preparation.

In This Story

Three 911�� interdisciplinary teams placed in the 2026 National Case Study Competition in Health Education. Students share what they learned from the experience and why they recommend it to others.

Three 911�� interdisciplinary teams placed in the 2026 National Case Study Competition in Health Education. Students say the experience strengthened their public health skills, expanded their professional networks, and reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Ananya Edupuganti

Through the competition, students gained hands-on experience in public health program planning, built confidence in addressing complex health challenges, and learned how professionals from different disciplines work together to develop effective solutions. Three College of Public Health teams earned national recognition, including two gold awards and one bronze. Graduate teams Manisha Jagdesh Leemani, and Isela Caballero and Jessica Hively and Ananya Edupuganti each earned gold awards, while undergraduate students Michael Kaleem and Ava Parker earned bronze. Associate Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health Michelle Williams advised all three teams.

The annual competition challenges undergraduate and graduate students to develop evidence-based solutions to real-world public health problems. This year's participants were tasked with designing culturally responsive mental health interventions for youth and their families.

"This is a unique opportunity for a nursing student [to be able to participate in a public health case competition] due to the nursing school’s location within the College of Public Health. As an undergraduate and master’s student at a different university, I was not aware of similar opportunities and have found it to be a really valuable learning experience,” said Hively, who is working on a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) and graduate certificate in public health.

All of the participants described the competition as both challenging and rewarding. Their experiences highlighted three key takeaways: gaining real-world intervention planning experience, building professional skills and confidence, and learning the value of interdisciplinary collaboration.

What did students gain from participating in the case competition?

Real-world intervention planning experience

Beyond designing interventions, participants said the competition helped them develop practical workplace skills that will benefit them throughout their careers.

Ava Parker

“I thought that this would be an incredible opportunity to gain skills necessary for successful public health program planning, it would open doors to network with like-minded faculty and students, and I could contribute to something that I am passionate about. I knew that this experience was going to be so much fun, and I was right: This was amazing!” said student Ava Parker, who is working on a bachelor's degree in community health.

The undergraduate team explored how district-wide partnerships with local schools and community organizations in Portland, Oregon, could support culturally relevant mental health awareness, early intervention, and peer support programs to better serve students.

“I saw it as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working alongside another graduate student. It ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of my graduate program and reinforced my passion for public health,” said Caballero, a MPH student.

Building skills and confidence

“This case competition was incredibly helpful in building skills and confidence needed to create targeted public health programs. I learned how to effectively and efficiently work as a team, where each person is able to contribute their own sets of skills to find solutions to public health problems,” said Parker, who would like to pursue a career in infectious disease surveillance at the local, state, or federal level.

Michael Kaleem

“I learned that program implementation takes time and careful planning. Additionally, you have to be as realistic as possible and think a lot about the what ifs because there could be a lot of holes poked in your methodology if you do not think about these things,” said Honors College student Michael Kaleem, who has completed a BS in Community Health and also pursuing an accelerated master's in public health.

“This case competition was much more public health-focused, which challenged me to rethink how I approached problems as an administrator. I had to look beyond financial sustainability and operational considerations and think more deeply about community impact, health equity, and population health outcomes. It was a great opportunity to challenge myself, learn from a different perspective, and grow both personally and professionally,” said Ananya Edupuganti, Master of Health Administration ’26.

The graduate teams developed a culturally responsive mental health intervention that partnered with a local Native American organization to deliver CBT-based programming for youth and their caregivers.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Perhaps the most significant takeaway was learning how professionals from different disciplines can work together to address complex public health challenges. Case competitions provide students the opportunity to work with students and faculty in other disciplines they may not interact with in their classes. Interdisciplinary collaboration is key to public health.

Jessica Hively

“I participated in the case competition because I was interested in the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team. I am an MSN to DNP and graduate certificate in public health student, and Ananya was a Master of Health Administration student. These types of interdisciplinary opportunities mimic the ‘real-world’ public health and health care environments and are great opportunities for learning,” said Hively.

“The most valuable lesson I learned was how much we can learn from people with different backgrounds and experiences. Our collaboration reminded me that the strongest solutions are rarely developed in isolation; they come from bringing together different areas of expertise, listening to one another, and working toward a shared goal. That experience is something I will carry with me throughout my career in health care,” said Edupuganti, who recently accepted a position with UF Health Shands Hospital in health care operations and analytics.

Advice for students considering participating in a case competition

Jagdesh Leemani and Isela Caballero

“Go for it, even if it's your first one. It's a great opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and apply what you've learned to real-world challenges. Don't worry about having all the answers. Focus on learning from the experience, trust your teammates, and enjoy the process,” said Caballero.

"Treat the competition as an opportunity to learn rather than as a test of what you already know. Some of the most valuable lessons come from discussing different ideas, receiving feedback, and refining your thinking along the way. You don't need to have all the answers, you just need to stay curious, contribute your perspective, and be open to learning from others," said Manisha Jagdesh Leemani, MS Health Informatics '26.

Students say the experience offers an invaluable opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world public health challenges, collaborate across disciplines, and build skills that translate directly to future careers.

Topics

CPH Student Research

Student Research

competitions

Honors College

A high-schooler's path to research, via 911��

Heather Carroll — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:13:59 +0000

A high-schooler's path to research, via 911�� Heather Carroll Thu, 07/23/2026 - 15:13

Through a partnership between the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies and Thomas Jefferson High School, Bhavya Yendapalli conducted diabetes research, presented her findings nationally, and found a new interest in studying nutrition.

This month, Bhavya Yendapalli will stand beside her research poster at a national scientific conference, answering questions about a diabetes study she helped conduct at the 911�� College of Public Health.

Bhayva Yendapalli using the BodPod.

Only weeks earlier, she graduated from high school.

The opportunity began through Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's research practicum program, which allows seniors to spend part of their school year conducting research with professional mentors. Yendapalli chose the lab of 911�� nutrition expert Martin Binks, who chairs the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies.

At first, the experience was intimidating. "I thought, 'I'm going to be with all these super smart people uncovering new things about the world,” Yendapalli said. “What can I contribute?'"

Bhayva Yendapall and Halide Aydin with the BodPod.

But Binks entrusted her with meaningful research responsibilities working alongside the lab's graduate students and postdoctoral researcher Halide Aydin, from interviewing participants and collecting data to helping write the study's research protocol.

"It taught me that there's always more to learn, and you can always contribute," said Yendapalli.

A year in the lab

Yendapalli sought out Binks' lab because diabetes hit close to home. Her father and other relatives have Type 2 diabetes, and she wanted to better understand the disease.

Working alongside the research team, Yendapalli investigated whether the timing and frequency of meals—not just what people eat—are associated with measures of metabolic health, including blood sugar levels, metabolism and body composition.

At the College of Public Health’s Celebration of Student Scholarship in April, Yendapalli became the first high school student to showcase her work at the event. She had never presented a scientific poster before, so Binks spent a few minutes explaining the basics and asked her to come back for a practice run. "She returned in 45 minutes, and I haven't seen it presented so well in my life," Binks said. "It was almost flawless."

Binks has mentored dozens of high school researchers over the years, first at Texas Tech University and now at 911��, where he works with students from Thomas Jefferson and other local high schools, including Westfield and Madison. “When students come to work with us, it exposes them to what it takes to be a researcher," he said. "It helps them understand career paths, clarify whether they do or don't like the work."

After sharing her research at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting this month, Yendapalli will head to Cornell University to study human biology, health, and society. She said her year in Binks' lab sparked a lasting interest in nutrition and its role in health.

"My research experience at 911�� is the reason I chose this major," she said.

Thumbnail and story photos by Evan Cantwell

In This Story

Martin Binks PhD, MBA

Key Takeaways

Thomas Jefferson High School senior Bhavya Yendapalli joined a lab in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at the 911�� College of Public Health through a year long research practicum.
Yendapalli spent her senior year working alongside nutrition expert Martin Binks and his research team, contributing to a diabetes study and presenting the findings.
The experience inspired the high schooler to study nutrition and health at Cornell University.

Topics

Food and Nutrition

Student Research

Diabetes

Machine Learning in Health Care

Can AI help make medical records less biased? New study suggests yes—with caveats

Heather Carroll — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:50:49 +0000

Can AI help make medical records less biased? New study suggests yes—with caveats Heather Carroll Fri, 07/10/2026 - 12:50

Large language models can identify judgmental language in clinical notes but the settings play a major role in accuracy.

Teenu Xavier PhD, RN. Photo provided

“Addict,” “non-compliant,” “failed treatment,” and “obese person” are examples of stigmatizing language that can appear in medical records. At 911��’s College of Public Health, researchers are exploring whether artificial intelligence (AI) can help identify this kind of language in clinical notes before it impacts patient care.

Nurse scientist Teenu Xavier and colleagues found that large language models (LLMs) show promise in identifying stigmatizing language in clinical documentation, but their performance is highly dependent on their settings. Model size, temperature settings, prompting strategies, and even note type can substantially influence results.

One finding was consistent across every model tested: Providing examples of stigmatizing language improved accuracy.

“Simply selecting an LLM is not enough when used for clinical documentation,” said Xavier, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing. “Careful attention must be paid to settings and prompting before these tools can be reliably used in health care environments.”

Why does this matter?

The use of stigmatizing language in clinical documentation can reinforce bias and affect a patient’s future care. AI tools may be able to help identify this kind of language, promoting more equitable care and improving patient trust and experience.

“Pre-trained models, when optimized for identifying stigmatizing language, could help enable more timely interventions and modifications to the documentation process,” Xavier said. “Our research highlights the need for continued collaboration between health care professionals and AI developers to create tools that improve communication, reduce bias, and improve the overall patient experience.”

What are the detailed study findings?

The largest LLM (trained on large amounts of data) was the best at predicting “stigmatizing” language (94%), but the worst at predicting “not stigmatizing” correctly (47%).
The smallest LLM was the best at predicting “not stigmatizing” correctly (99.7%), but worst at predicting “stigmatizing” correctly (2%).
When researchers gave the LLM an example of stigmatizing language, accuracy improved in all models.
Emergency provider notes were most accurately (69%) categorized as “stigmatizing” or “non-stigmatizing,” and plan of care notes had the lowest accuracy (56%). Misclassifications most commonly arose in long, clinically dense notes where neutral descriptions of complex illness or adverse events were mistaken by the models for judgmental language.
Larger models worked best at lower temperature (how predictable or random the LLMs’s output is when making a classification) and smaller models improved with higher temperature, which means the LLM took more risks in interpretation.

“Detecting stigmatizing language with large language models: mind the settings” was published in JAMIA Open in April 2026. Co-authors include Jane M. Carrington from the University of Florida and Joshua Lambert from the University of Cincinnati.

Thumbnail photo by issaronow from Adobe Stock.

Key Takeaways

A 911�� study found that large language models show promise in identifying stigmatizing language in clinical documentation, but their performance is highly dependent on their settings, such as model size, temperature settings, prompting strategies, and note type.
The ability to detect and correct stigmatizing language early can reduce bias in patient care and lead to improved patient trust and better health outcomes.
Continued collaboration between health care workers and AI developers is needed to create tools that enhance communication, reduce bias, and improve the overall patient experience.

Learn about Artificial Intelligence at 911��

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Health Care Services

Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAAFS

Research

The AI-powered classroom: tutors, avatars, and new models for learning

Mary Cunningham — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:17:45 +0000

The AI-powered classroom: tutors, avatars, and new models for learning Mary Cunningham Thu, 07/09/2026 - 15:17

As health informatics expert Sanja Avramovic introduces new artificial intelligence (AI) tools into her classrooms at 911��, she's also made a point of asking students what they think, both through formal research and casual conversation.

In one early experiment, Avramovic designed AI avatars to present course material in short, on-demand videos students could watch at their own pace. Some students balked a little, finding the digital instructors monotone and robotic. They said they preferred a human.

So Avramovic asked a follow-up question: Should she remove the videos?

AI avatar created by Sanja Avramovic. Image created by AI.

"They said, 'don't you dare,'" she recalled. "'They're excellent supplemental material. Leave them. But we want you to teach.'"

That push and pull has become a central dynamic at the College of Public Health, as faculty respond and adapt to the undeniable rise of AI in higher education. The question is no longer whether AI belongs in the classroom, but how to use it in ways that actively benefit students.

“The goal isn’t AI-free learning,” Avramovic said. “It’s AI-augmented thinking.”

Learning to think with AI

Sanja Avramovic, assistant professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy

One challenge is persistent: How do you keep students learning when AI can provide answers in seconds?

Research by Avramovic, assistant professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy Abdul Hafeez, and colleagues found that students can become overly dependent on AI-generated answers, reducing their engagement, interaction, and critical thinking.

Rather than prohibiting AI use, faculty developed and tested AI tutors that function more like coaches than answer generators, walking students through assignments one step at a time. In order to build them, instructors map out common mistakes and teach the systems how to respond in ways that promote deeper learning. “It interviews students,” Hafeez said. “It compels them to think critically.”

Early findings suggest this approach can help counter passive AI use, with students showing stronger performance and engagement than their peers. In one analysis, undergraduates using the tutors improved performance by nearly 9 percentage points. This research was supported by 911��'s Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning Curriculum and Teaching Leadership Funds.

Tempering the trust

Along with the enthusiasm for AI’s potential, faculty are just as focused on teaching students where the technology falls short.

Vanessa Chee, an assistant professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, warns students against relying on it too early in the learning process, likening it to “using roller blades when you’re crawling.”

In one global health course, Chee requires students to develop a 2,500-word narrative and a presentation proposing a public health intervention entirely on their own. Afterward, they use AI to generate a version of the same project, and compare the two.

That exercise is often revealing. Many students walk away disappointed by the quality of the generated work, but with a sharper understanding of what their own thinking contributes, Chee said.

Katherine Scafide, an associate professor in the School of Nursing, introduces AI early in the research process, using it to help students scan the literature and identify possible gaps worth investigating. But she draws a line between assistance and analysis. Students are expected to verify sources, refine their own research questions, and critically test whether AI summaries actually hold up.

"I encourage AI to assist in some structural aspects of writing, like outlining and grammar, but not to author the work," she said. " AI can be a writing tool, but it cannot be an author."

For Avramovic, the biggest concern is that students will trust AI too quickly. She recalled one student who relied heavily on AI while studying, learned flawed logic, and then repeated it on an exam.

“Don’t use AI until you know enough to correct it,” she tells her students.

Rebuilding the classroom

As AI changes how students learn, faculty are also rethinking how they create and deliver their own course content.

With one undergraduate health informatics class, Avramovic and colleagues realized that much of the content felt disconnected from the clinical realities that nursing students—who are required to take the course—would eventually face. So, the instructors used AI tools to rewrite assignments around nursing-specific scenarios, like identifying problems in electronic health records. They also introduced AI-generated videos narrated by digital avatars, guiding students through technical material.

The updates made a difference. Nursing students in the AI-redesigned course showed statistically significant learning gains, more than half said AI-generated videos were more helpful than assigned readings, and nearly four out of five reported that the tools improved their overall learning experience.

Farrokh Alemi, a professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy, took a similar approach in his graduate statistics course, using AI to help deliver lectures and tutor students.

For students, the change meant more access to their instructor. “Because the AI handled a lot of mechanical tasks, I used the extra time to have more interactions with students, give them career advice, call up at-risk students, just be more available,” he said.

Evolving the toolkit

Faculty at the College of Public Health compare the current moment to earlier technological shifts in education, from the arrival of calculators in math classrooms to the rise of the internet and online learning.

Students still need to learn the fundamentals, faculty said, but once they understand the underlying concepts, AI can help them explore more complex problems and apply knowledge in new ways.

“You still need the human in the loop,” Avramovic said.

The technology continues to evolve quickly. But faculty say the larger goal remains to help students build the skills they’ll need in a world where AI is already becoming part of the job.

Key Takeaways

911�� College of Public Health faculty are using artificial intelligence tools including AI tutors and digital avatars to enhance teaching and student learning.
Instead of prohibiting tools like ChatGPT, instructors are teaching students to think critically, verify AI outputs, and use AI responsibly.
AI is helping redesign courses, personalize learning, and prepare College of Public Health students for an AI-integrated workforce.

In This Story

Sanja Avramovic, PhD

Topics

innovative classes