Students, faculty and alumni from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health spent the week in Washington, D.C., presenting research, exchanging ideas and engaging with colleagues from across the country at the 2025 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo (APHA).

This year’s conference unfolded amid the federal government shutdown, accentuating the uncertainty and heightened attention facing the public health sector. At a time when public health feels unsettled, the School's table with Turkish coffee became a gathering place for honest conversations and reflection at APHA. At the Nevada booth, the School offered more than a cup of coffee; it created a place to pause, breathe, connect and remember why we do this work. The deans, students and guests talked about how public health work continues and called on our community to show how academic public health steps up for community health every day.

“APHA brings together some of the strongest voices in public health, and our students stand shoulder to shoulder with national leaders,” said Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci, M.D., MPH

For Nevada students, APHA offered an opportunity to contribute to national discussions with confidence. They shared research on urgent issues, connected with leaders navigating similar uncertainty and demonstrated how their academic preparation translates into meaningful impact.

“APHA brings together some of the strongest voices in public health, and our students stand shoulder to shoulder with national leaders,” said Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci, M.D., MPH. “Their work reflects both academic excellence and a deep commitment to improving community health. Watching our students present, connect and lead reminds me that the future of public health is in very good hands. They bring curiosity and compassion to the challenges we face, and I am proud to see Nevada represented with such purpose and heart.”

Presentations that highlight student leadership and faculty mentorship

Throughout the week, School of Public Health students and faculty presented research on many facets of public health, including behavioral health, environmental health, maternal and child health, overdose prevention, global nutrition policy and workforce development. Their talks and posters demonstrated the breadth of work happening across Nevada and the School’s commitment to preparing leaders who improve health in communities locally and globally.

• Liz Amaya-Fernandez, MPH, Larson Institute for Health Impact and Equity, senior public health diversity advisor
• Luis Chavez, Ph.D. '25 (public health), Larson Institute for Health Impact and Equity, research assistant
• Eric Crosbie, Ph.D., M.A., associate professor and graduate director of Social and Behavioral Health; Health Administration and Policy
• Daina Darlington, MPH student
• Gerold Dermid, MBA, Public Health Practice recruitment coordinator and career advocate
• Catherine Doubek, B.S. '23 (public health), MPH '25 
• Omotayo Fagbule, M.Sc., MPH, Ph.D. student, Social and Behavioral Health
• Sarah Hartzell, M.A. '15 (criminal justice), Ph.D '24 (public health)
• Taylor Lensch, B.S. '14 (biology), MPH '16, Ph.D. '20 (public health), Larson Institute for Health Impact and Equity associate director
• Belle Martin B.S. ’25, (public health) and 2025 Delta Phi Chapter award winner
• Van Dyke Maclean, MPH '25
• Kelly Morning, B.S. '13 (community health science), MPH '15, Center for Program Evaluation project manager
• Margarita Otero Alvarez, MPH '23, Ph.D. student, Social and Behavioral Health
• Oluwapelumi Odubunmi, MPH student, Social and Behavioral Health
• Zachary Woodring, B.S. '22 (public health), MPH '24

In addition to the student and faculty presentations, Dean Akpinar-Elci joined national colleagues in the One Health Communication Roundtable, which explored how collaboration across human, animal, plant and environmental health strengthens global and community health.

A national stage for the next generation of public health leaders

Across poster sessions, panels and informal conversations, Nevada students demonstrated a strong command of their topics and an enthusiasm for contributing to solutions that improve community well-being. Their work reflects the School’s priorities in public health research, practice and workforce development.

“At APHA you see the full scope of what public health can accomplish, and you see why academic public health matters,” Akpinar-Elci said. “Our students and faculty are advancing evidence-based solutions, partnering with communities and pushing the field forward. Their presentations and conversations this week show how bright the future is. I am proud of how they represent Nevada and proud of the impact they are already making.”

As the 2025 conference concluded, one theme stood out across all the presenters and participants: Nevada students are ready. Ready to contribute their ideas. Ready to collaborate. Ready to lead.