UConn Public Health Sciences Shines at the 2025 APHA Expo

November 6, 2025

And that’s a wrap! The UConn Department of Public Health Sciences had an incredible experience at the 2025 American Public Health Association (APHA) Expo.

Our talented faculty members, alumni, and even Dr. Brown’s daughter took center stage to showcase their groundbreaking research through dynamic presentations and engaging posters. From innovative approaches to health equity to community-based interventions, their work reflected the breadth and impact of public health in action.

The APHA Expo provided an invaluable platform for collaboration, learning, and inspiration—reminding us why public health is at the heart of positive change. It was truly inspiring to witness our team’s unwavering commitment to advancing the field and improving the well-being of communities everywhere.

We’re proud to be part of a community that continues to push boundaries, share knowledge, and lead the way in shaping a healthier future.

Check out our socials to view more photos and remember to give us a like!

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Celebrating Community and Menopause Equity

October 31, 2025

We were honored to attend The Power of the Pause Celebration, an inspiring event dedicated to celebrating community, connection, and the importance of menopause equity.

This incredible gathering brought together individuals, advocates, and health leaders who are working to break the silence surrounding menopause and promote greater awareness of midlife health. The conversations throughout the day highlighted the importance of access to resources, compassionate care, and open dialogue for everyone navigating this phase of life.

As a proud sponsor, we’re grateful for the opportunity to support this vital initiative and amplify the message that menopause deserves understanding, respect, and visibility. Events like this remind us how powerful it can be when communities come together to share experiences, uplift one another, and challenge stigmas.

Together, we’re helping to create a future where everyone feels seen, celebrated, and empowered at every stage of life.

📸 Take a look at some moments from the celebration below!

Supporting Our Community: UConn Health MPH Partner with Hands on Hartford

October 14, 2025

At Department of Public Health Sciences, community engagement isn’t just a value, it’s part of who we are. Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of partnering with Hands on Hartford, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing housing and food security and improving health for individuals and families in need.

As part of this initiative, we dropped off our department’s donated goods and met with Kelly, the organization’s Community Engagement and Partnerships & Communications Coordinator. Thanks to the generosity of our community and UConn Health colleagues, we were able to donate around 260 items to support their ongoing programs.

During our visit, Kelly shared inspiring insights into Hands on Hartford’s impactful work supporting residents throughout the city and the pressing challenges they’re facing. Her stories vividly reflect the difference community partnerships can make and how vital it is to continue lending a hand.

We left feeling deeply inspired and eager to explore future collaborations, including a potential video project to showcase Hands on Hartford’s incredible impact and highlight upcoming volunteer opportunities. Stay tuned for more on that!

If you’d like to get involved or support their mission, please visit: https://handsonhartford.org/volunteer/

These are their biggest needs right now:

1) Financial Contributions
2) Nonperishable food for our Community Pantry
3) Full Size toiletries and household essentials for our Community Pantry
4) Food for our kids’ backpack nutrition program
5) Snack kits for our Homeless Outreach Team

Together, small acts of kindness add up to lasting impact.

Welcome Dr. Monika Doshi to the Department!

October 2, 2025

The UConn Department of Public Health Sciences is proud to welcome Dr. Monika Doshi as our newest faculty member.

Dr. Doshi’s research reflects a deep commitment to advancing health equity and addressing disparities among underserved, marginalized, and vulnerable populations. Her work has focused on HIV prevention, care, and treatment; mental health; women’s health; gender and sexuality; stigma and discrimination; chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes; and health and human rights.

In addition to these longstanding areas of scholarship, Dr. Doshi’s more recent research has expanded to examine how policy, community, institutional, and interpersonal factors influence the health and wellbeing of U.S.-based Latinx communities within the context of immigration. By investigating the multi-layered challenges these communities face, her work sheds light on the intersections between health, social justice, and policy.

With her broad expertise and dedication to public health, Dr. Doshi strengthens our department’s mission to improve population health and advance health equity through research, education, and community engagement. We are excited to see the impact her contributions will bring to both UConn and the communities we serve.

Welcome Dr. Kate Ascetta to the Department!

September 25, 2025

The UConn Department of Public Health Sciences is excited to announce the addition of Dr. Kate Ascetta to our faculty. Dr. Ascetta serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (CT UCEDD), where she coordinates technical assistance for higher education faculty through the Early Childhood Intervention Personnel Center (ECIPC). She also holds a joint appointment as an Assistant Professor in Public Health Sciences at UConn’s School of Medicine.

Dr. Ascetta’s scholarship focuses on the critical role of quality teacher preparation programs and professional development in strengthening the early childhood intervention workforce. With expertise in program of study development within institutions of higher education, she works to ensure future educators are equipped to make meaningful impacts in their communities.

A defining feature of Dr. Ascetta’s work is her commitment to equity. She has built strong community partnerships that elevate voices from traditionally underrepresented groups, ensuring systems of change are designed with communities rather than for them. Her approach reflects the Department of Public Health Sciences’ dedication to inclusive, collaborative solutions in public health.

We are proud to welcome Dr. Ascetta to our department and look forward to the innovation, leadership, and passion she brings to public health at UConn.

Explore more about our faculty and programs here: https://health.uconn.edu/public-health-sciences/

Distinguished Career Award Recipient – Jennifer Sussman

September 19, 2025

Jennifer Sussman, Research Associate II, received a Distinguished Career Award at the Connecticut Prevention Summit on September 9th, 2025, that brought together state agency and prevention stakeholders from across the state. Jennifer was awarded this because of her decades of work to make data more accessible to state, regional, and community partners to aid in substance use prevention services planning, implementation, and sustainability. She has been an integral part of our department’s team as the coordinator of the Center for Prevention Evaluation and Statistics. A well-deserved award, congrats to Jenn!

Faculty Promotions Announced

August 28, 2025

The Department of Public Health Sciences is proud to share exciting news about faculty promotions recently approved by the Academic Affairs Subcommittee of the Board of Directors.

Dr. Jennifer M. Cavallari has been promoted to Professor.
Dr. Shayna D. Cunningham has been promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure.
Dr. Ellis C. Dillon has been promoted to Associate Professor.

These promotions recognize their exceptional contributions to public health research, teaching, and service. Please join us in congratulating Drs. Cavallari, Cunningham, and Dillon on their well-deserved achievements!

Dr. O’Grady Awarded NIH/NIDA Grant on Overdose Prevention

August 19, 2025

Dr. Megan O’Grady, Associate Professor in Public Health Sciences, received funding as a co-investigator for a newly awarded NIH/NIDA UG3-UH3 grant titled “Preventing Overdose in Supportive Housing: Stepped Wedge Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multi-Sector, Upstream Intervention” lead by NYU Langone (PI: Doran). This 2-phase, 7-year grant will partner UConn Health, Rutgers, and NYU to develop and test strategies for implementing evidence-based practices to prevent drug overdoses in permanent supportive housing settings.

Celebrating Adekemi Suleiman’s Achievement: Advancing Black Healthcare Leadership in Connecticut

August 12, 2025

We are proud to share that Adekemi Suleiman, MBBS, FWACP, MPH, Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Public Health Sciences, has been selected as one of only two recipients of the National Association of Health Services Executives (N.A.H.S.E.) Connecticut Education Scholarship.

The N.A.H.S.E. CT Education Scholarship was created to promote the advancement of Black healthcare leaders across Connecticut. This year, two graduate students who met the eligibility criteria were awarded a $3,000 scholarship in recognition of their dedication to healthcare leadership and service.

In addition to the financial award, recipients will receive:

A one-year N.A.H.S.E. membership
Registration to the 2025 N.A.H.S.E. Educational Conference
A year-long mentorship with a Connecticut-based executive healthcare leader

Adekemi’s recognition reflects her commitment to improving healthcare systems and advancing equity in public health. We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor and look forward to the impact she will continue to make in the field.

Air Purifiers May Reduce Heart Risks for People Exposed to Traffic Pollution

August 6, 2025

Lead study author Douglas Brugge, chair, Department of Public Health Sciences, UConn School of Medicine (UConn Photo).

Researchers at UConn Health are studying whether portable air purifiers can help reduce heart-related risks for people frequently exposed to traffic-related air pollution, especially ultrafine particles near busy roadways. Prior studies have shown that short-term exposure indoors to such pollutants can raise blood pressure. In controlled settings, using high-efficiency air filters significantly reduced those effects, suggesting potential cardiovascular benefits. The goal now is to assess whether similar benefits occur in real-world home environments.

Curious to learn more about this important research and how everyday air purification might reduce health risks from traffic pollution?
Read the full article here: https://today.uconn.edu/2025/08/air-purifiers-may-reduce-heart-risks-for-people-exposed-to-traffic-pollution/