Arnold School of Public Health

2026 News Archive

I Am Public Health: Zichun "Liela" Meng

Behind many of the most impactful medical advances are mathematical savants - behind-the-scenes superheroes who are working with vast stores of data to improve public health. Ph.D. in Biostatistics candidate Zichun "Liela" Meng has been developing her skills in this area for nearly a decade.

West Nile virus more than ten times higher in South Carolina compared to national average

With little historical data on the prevalence of West Nile virus in the state of South Carolina, members of the Delores Marie Thomas Research Lab have assessed its presence in the Palmetto State.

It's time to change how we think about exercise, researchers suggest

Researchers believe it's time for a mindset shift. Instead of viewing exercise as a temporary treatment for the condition, clinicians and patients should view physical activity as a lifelong behavior.

Making fruits and veggies more accessible for South Carolina families

USC features exercise science assistant professor Elizabeth Adams, who studies how to improve food security through nutrition assistance programs, like SNAP.

Staff Spotlight: Yesil Kim

As an assistant scientist with the USC Prevention Research Center, Yesil Kim plays a key role at both the beginning and the end of every project the center leads.

Lingering under the radar

Melissa Nolan, associate professor of epidemiology and director of USC’s Institute for Infectious Disease Translational Research, and Arnold School alumnus Matthew Haldeman have found a rare intestinal parasite that could affect 1 in 20 South Carolinians.

Is telehealth the great equalizer for postpartum care?

Supported by NIH funding, Arnold School researchers have been examining the role of telehealth in providing care to at-risk – and often intersecting – populations.

Prestigious fellowship program selects three Arnold School members to receive social determinants of health training

Health promotion, education, and behavior (HPEB) doctoral students Edith Utaka and Hao Zhang and postdoctoral research fellow Rui Luo (HPEB and Center for Healthcare Quality) have been selected to join the Social determinants of Health Advanced Research Training Fellowship Program.

Health care on the map

USC features Cassie Odahowski, an Arnold School alumna (Ph.D. in Epidemiology, '19) and scientist with the Rural Health Research Center who uses ArcGIS to map rural health disparities.

I Am Public Health: Abby Steiner

Collegiate and professional track star Abby Steiner is pursuing an M.S. in Exercise Science so she can use strength and conditioning to help others improve their own health.

Positive childhood experiences are important for long-term outcomes, but not everyone gets them

Published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, one of the Rural Health Research Center's recent studies analyzed the prevalence of PCEs among children with special health care needs.

Hitting the slopes can boost your brain — if you protect it

USC features exercise science chair Shawn Arent, who explains how downhill skiing sharpens cognition — and the four steps that reduce concussion risk.

Coping with chronic disease when food is scarce takes its toll on mental health, researchers find

Twenty-five years into her CDC and NIH-funded diabetes and youth research, epidemiology professor Angela Liese and her team continue to increase our understanding of this uniquely vulnerable population.

Master's program equips student with skills, knowledge to oversee university grants program

Just before her 2024 graduation with a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Ashanti Cromedy accepted a position with the University of Kentucky as a grants specialist.

Maternal and Child Health Catalyst program launches two new development opportunities

With renewed support from the Health Resources and Services Administration and matching funds from the Dean's Office, the Arnold School's Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Catalyst program is expanding its capacity-building opportunities even further.

A legacy of leadership, health promotion and disease prevention. Remembering Donna Richter

Donna Richter is widely known for her leadership role as the fourth dean of the Arnold School (2003 - 2007), but she is best remembered for her enduring commitment to advancing public health.

Correctional health care expert Samuel Soltis shares how his Arnold School degree helped him make a lasting impact in SC

Samuel Soltis (Ph.D. in HSPM, '12) spent his career serving SC. The American College of Healthcare Executive recently recognized him for this work and his contributions to the profession with their Lifetime Service and Achievement Award.

I Am Public Health: Ben Bailey

As Bailey begins his final semester of the online MPH in Epidemiology program, he sees the experience as incredibly rewarding and extremely challenging and looks forward to teaching his students about a variety of public health topics.

Free summer camp helps close the gap in healthy behaviors for kids, study finds

Researchers from the Arnold Healthy Kids Initiative and Research Center for Child Well-Being have continued publishing results from their three-year study examining the health effects of providing free summer camp for children from low-income households.

Nominate an Arnold School graduate for one of our alumni awards

The number of outstanding Arnold School alumni grows every year, and we love recognizing two of the best at our annual hooding ceremony. Nominate your favorite alum by February 20 for one of our two prestigious awards.

Call for 2026 Faculty Award Nominations

Arnold School faculty are the best! Nominate a deserving candidate for one of three awards in teaching, research and service by March 31.

Prisma Health recognizes Caroline Rudisill with Academic Partner Research Award

Caroline Rudisill, a professor in the Arnold School's Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior and Academic Director of the USC-Prisma Health partnership, received the Academic Partner Research Award.

USC leads the nation in fragile X research and education

Researchers at the University of South Carolina are leading the country to improve the health of millions of people with fragile X disorders — some of the most common but least-known neurological disorders.

Fulbright Scholar wins national grant to support dissertation research using wastewater-based epidemiology to detect STIs

Health services policy and management (HSPM) doctoral candidate Syeda Shehirbano Akhtar is still in the early part of her career, but she's already amassed significant global health experience.

Sunscreen produces persistent free radicals when exposed to light, a recent study finds

New research from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences explores how common sunscreen ingredients behave under light exposure. Led by associate professor Eric Vejerano, the team tested seven commercially available sunscreens.

Staff Spotlight: Janna Borden

As the project coordinator for TecHealth, Janna Borden provides administrative support to the faculty and research staff associated with the Center.

Measles outbreak surveillance confirms utility of wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring infectious disease surges

New research led by environmental health sciences assistant professor Laura Langan has provided further support for the effectiveness of wastewater-based epidemiology.

I Am Public Health: Anahyra Fernandez Reyes

As a graduate research assistant, Anahyra Fernandez Reyes has been learning how to conduct community-engaged research to improve the health and well-being of various populations. She has also interned with the Center for Community Health Alignment.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.