Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at USC

06/03/2026

How do genetics and diet work together to influence colorectal cancer risk?

A study led by Dr. Joel Sanchez-Mendez, a recent USC Population and Public Health Sciences (PPHS) PhD graduate, found that genetic variation in the TGF-β signaling pathway may help explain the relationship between red meat consumption and colorectal cancer risk. Analyzing data from more than 70,000 individuals, the research provides new insight into the biological mechanisms linking diet and cancer development.

The study also highlights innovative analytical methods developed by James Gauderman, PhD, leader of the Biostatistics Division within PPHS and a member of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at Keck Medicine of USC's Cancer Epidemiology Program. The findings advance our understanding of how genetics and lifestyle factors interact to shape cancer risk and may help inform future prevention strategies.

Congratulations to Drs. Joel Sanchez-Mendez, James Gauderman, Mariana Stern, and the entire research team on this important work.

Full article available here:

AbstractBackground:. Red meat and/or processed meat are established colorectal cancer risk factors. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported more than 200 variants associated with colorectal cancer risk. We used functional annotation data to identify subsets of variants within known path...

05/21/2026

Check out our 2025–2026 annual report! Ranked #1 nationally in NIH funding in its field according to the 2025 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings, the Department continues to advance research and training that address urgent public health challenges locally and globally.

Read the full annual report here: https://keck.usc.edu/pphs/annual-report/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_id=2025-2026_PPHS_Annual_Report

Department of Population and Public Health Sciences Annual Report Explore Our Programs PPHS Leadership Divisions Inclusive Excellence Sustainability History Annual Report Research Centers and Institutes Global Health Research Engagements Education Prospective Students Doctoral Programs Master’s Pr...

05/20/2026

When Nisha Lerdsuwanrut, BS ’25, became an Environmental Health Methodological, Trainings and Teaching Enterprise (EH MATTERS) research fellow, the aspiring physician began exploring how environmental health and urban policy decisions influence the health of vulnerable communities.

During the EH MATTERS fellowship, the USC alumna studied how transportation infrastructure and air pollution shape health disparities in Los Angeles communities. Studying environmental health, she says, has shaped how she thinks about disease by encouraging her to consider the broader conditions that influence patient health.

Full article available in the comments.

05/19/2026

Congratulations to Medha Sharma, MPH student and TSAPH scholarship recipient, for earning third place in the graduate category of the USC Libraries' annual Research Award competition! Medha was recognized for her research paper, "Telehealth Usage and Healthcare Expenditures, Delays, Ratings, and ER Visits in Adults with Asthma in the U.S." Judges praised her effective use of primary and peer-reviewed sources, which helped her refine her research question, strengthen methodological decisions, and sharpen her ability to analyze quantitative data.

Learn more here:

The annual award honors exceptional research that uses any of the resources available to students via the libraries—including books, journals, electronic databases, primary sources, reference consultations, and interlibrary loans.

05/01/2026

In honor of National Public Health Week from the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences! We celebrated with our amazing Health Promotion and Global Health undergrads, Porto's bites, handmade bracelets, a photo booth, and grounding rocks to paint and take home. 🪨🎨

Our students are the future of public health, and moments like these make the journey even sweeter. Here's to more of this! 🙌💙

04/30/2026

Congratulations to Welela Solomon, a current student studying Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, on being selected as a 2026 Fulbright Scholar!

Under the mentorship of Dr. Firminus Mugumya and Dr. Laura Ferguson, she will be conducting a qualitative study at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, examining the barriers that pregnant women in Makerere Kivulu, an informal urban settlement, face in accessing quality antenatal care. The study explores three core themes: women's understanding of antenatal care, their clinical interactions and the information they receive, and their labor experiences across public and private facilities. With this study, she hopes to produce actionable insights that inform Uganda's Ministry of Health initiatives and NGO partnerships, and ultimately bring those lessons home to address the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates facing marginalized women in the United States.

In her own words: "Being selected as a Fulbright Scholar means getting to do the work that actually centers the people most often left out of the conversations shaping their care, and for me, that's where everything begins, whether in research, advocacy, or medicine."

We are so proud of Welela and can't wait to see the impact she will make. Wishing her all the best on this incredible journey!

The Fulbright Program Keck School of Medicine of USC

04/29/2026

MPH Career Spotlight – Nohemi Sanchez, MPH ’25

Nohemi Sanchez, MPH ’25, is an environmental health specialist at the County of San Diego, where she works directly with businesses and community members to help ensure safe food handling, water quality, and public health compliance. Sanchez conducts field inspections, provides hands-on education, and supports prevention efforts that protect some of the county’s most vulnerable populations. Her role blends science, communication, and community engagement—requiring both technical expertise and cultural competence.

Before entering public health, Sanchez spent more than a decade as an educator. To enable her career pivot, she earned her Master of Public Health, with a concentration in biostatistics and epidemiology, from USC.

Full spotlight here:

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04/28/2026

Grad Spotlight – PhD Health Behavior Research (PPHS) - Kristen Moore

Title of your thesis:

Investigating the Effects of Movement Behaviors on Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Youth with Overweight and Obesity

Briefly, what did you do for your thesis? Why is this important?
My dissertation examined how 24-hour movement behaviors, including sedentary time, physical activity, and sleep, are associated with early biomarkers of vascular health in youth with overweight or obesity. We used advanced statistical methods to assess how both the proportion of time and the reallocation of time across these behaviors influence endothelial dysfunction. This work is important because vascular changes can begin in childhood, and identifying realistic behavior targets may help prevent future cardiovascular disease.

What skills did you learn in your program that you were able to apply to your thesis?
Through my dissertation work, I learned how to apply advanced statistical techniques including compositional data analysis (CoDA) and isotemporal substitution analysis (ISA) to maximize data analysis from an existing randomized controlled trial. These complementary approaches allow for a comprehensive understanding of how daily movement behaviors may influence cardiovascular disease risk among a vulnerable population.

What aspect of completing your thesis are you proudest of?
I am most proud of the novelty and potential of each individual study, as well as how they come together as a cohesive project. The analyses complement one another in a meaningful way while also standing on their own, each addressing important research questions. Together, this work provides a more comprehensive understanding of how movement behaviors influence early vascular health in youth.

What are your plans after graduation?
I am currently working as a Senior Research Consultant at Oracle Health, where I support the administration of clinical research studies for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This work focuses on improving the use of electronic health records, protecting personal health information, and advancing the health and longevity of veterans.

04/28/2026

This presentation explores the dynamic career of infection prevention and control (IPC). From pandemic preparedness and emerging pathogen response to research and healthcare-associated infection prevention, IPC is the intersection of science, strategy, and real-world impact. Learn how to break into this growing field and what a day in the life looks like. If you are passionate about public health, problem solving and making a measurable difference, this session will show you the unique and rewarding field of IPC.

Register here: https://usc.zoom.us/meeting/register/KliMC3JyRhib1Y4PT_mwKA #/registration

04/27/2026

HAPPENING TODAY!

Thinking about taking a gap year before applying to health professional school?

This workshop features Keck students sharing how they used their gap year to gain experience, strengthen their applications, and prepare for the next step in their journey.

Learn about different paths students take, from clinical experience and research to community health and service, and what strategies helped them succeed.Panelists will also share practical tips, lessons learned, and advice on making the most of your time before grad school.

Whether you’re planning ahead or actively preparing your applications, this is a great opportunity to gain insight, ask questions, and feel more confident about your next steps.

Scan to the QR code or go to this link to register: https://usc.zoom.us/meeting/register/L6e0evh3Ru-Vgma--UsZww #/registration