University at Albany School of Public Health

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University at Albany School of Public Health Over 400 students from a wide variety of academic, racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds are enrolled in academic programs at the School of Public Health.

The University at Albany's School of Public Health opened in 1985 as a joint venture between the University, the New York State Department of Health, and later Albany Medical College. This arrangement enriches the academic life of the School and benefits our diverse student body. Most of the 200+ faculty members at the School have primary appointments at the Department of Health, working on a daily basis administering major health programs for the state of New York, or researching scientific or policy questions of national significance. Case studies discussed in the classroom frequently emerge from a faculty member's long experience in the field. Students have regular access to these health experts as teachers, mentors and internship advisors. What's more, students have immediate access through the School to a vast array of internship opportunities, both at the Health Department and at a wide variety of other public and private institutions throughout the world. We are always seeking to increase the diversity of our student body. Dozens of students, many of whom work full time in professional careers, take courses at the School on a part-time basis. The School offers MS, MPH, DrPH and PhD degrees, in the following departments: Biomedical Sciences; Environmental Health Sciences; Epidemiology & Biostatistics; and Health Policy, Management & Behavior. We offer three graduate certificate programs, two of which are available online. The Preventive Medicine Residency program and the Residency in Dental Public Health are available to physicians and dentists preparing for leadership roles in public health. In addition, we have recently added an undergraduate public health major, providing an interdisciplinary introduction to public health for interested undergraduate students. Our School offers opportunities for research and practical experience that are rich, varied and virtually unlimited in their scope and possibility. New York State and the counties in our region serve as a laboratory for the study of public health problems that affect our nation and our world. New York is a melting pot of ethnic and racial groups from all over the world, so the public health problems of New York reflect the world's health. Students of all ethnic, cultural and racial backgrounds are encouraged to apply! Join our community of students, faculty, and staff, committed to addressing the health problems of a wide range of social groups!

In the Biomedical Sciences Master of Public Health program at UAlbany, you can develop a strong foundation of public hea...
10/09/2026

In the Biomedical Sciences Master of Public Health program at UAlbany, you can develop a strong foundation of public health knowledge and scientific skills to advance your career and make a positive impact in communities and public health organizations: https://buff.ly/X6Xgwe0

Alumni spotlight: Joe Chiarenzelli is a Program Officer at the National Institute on Aging within the National Institute...
09/30/2026

Alumni spotlight: Joe Chiarenzelli is a Program Officer at the National Institute on Aging within the National Institutes of Health. He supports NIA and NIH-wide initiatives that shape AI research and applications related to healthcare and public health innovation. In addition, he proudly serves as the project scientist for the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories, which facilitates pilots of valuable AI tools across the healthcare landscape. With a background in oversight and evaluation from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Joe previously project managed and performed national reviews of Medicare Advantage, emergency preparedness, and technology ethics in healthcare. His work blends strategic analysis with stakeholder engagement by developing scientific programs, advising federal leaders, and advocating for responsible adoption of emerging technologies across the research and healthcare enterprises.

Emmanuel Temitope Adaranijo (third from right), a doctoral student in the School of Social Welfare, spoke on a panel in ...
09/25/2026

Emmanuel Temitope Adaranijo (third from right), a doctoral student in the School of Social Welfare, spoke on a panel in Washington, D.C. hosted by the Council on Social Work Education. The briefing for social work leaders and congressional staff explored how artificial intelligence is changing mental health and social services. Panelists underscored the need for policymakers to pair investment in new AI tools with equal investment in protecting vulnerable people.

During her summer internship at RISSE, Nagifa Tabassum organized wellness events, created health literacy materials, and...
09/23/2026

During her summer internship at RISSE, Nagifa Tabassum organized wellness events, created health literacy materials, and taught healthcare vocabulary to adult English language learners. These experiences solidified her passion for health education. As part of one of her projects, Tabassum helped children make colorful "sensory bottles." The activity offered a fun creative outlet while producing practical tools to support emotion regulation. 

Most of what we know about how bacteria grow and take shape comes from studying rod-shaped model organisms like E. coli ...
09/22/2026

Most of what we know about how bacteria grow and take shape comes from studying rod-shaped model organisms like E. coli and B. subtilis. Yet the pathogens that cause disease display a remarkable diversity of morphologies – spheres, spirals, curves, and more. Thomas Bartlett's lab studies how these unusual shapes are determined, and how they influence infection-relevant traits such as motility, colonization, and antibiotic resistance. Learn more: https://www.albany.edu/cihs/faculty/thomas-bartlett

Teniola Olafuyi earned both her bachelor's degree and Master of Public Health from the College of Integrated Health Scie...
09/16/2026

Teniola Olafuyi earned both her bachelor's degree and Master of Public Health from the College of Integrated Health Sciences. In 2019, she received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence in recognition of her academic achievements and leadership. She now serves as a Health Policy and Program Analyst at the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) in Washington, DC, where she manages health and housing initiatives impacting low-income individuals living in affordable and public housing units, collaborates with various stakeholders, and is involved with the planning and logistics for CLPHA’s annual Housing Is Summit and other educational events.

As an undergraduate student, I began to understand that the systems we work, live, and play in all shape our health. Ove...
09/16/2026

As an undergraduate student, I began to understand that the systems we work, live, and play in all shape our health. Over time, I also came to recognize that many of these systems were built on histories of systemic oppression. I chose the MPH program because I wanted to better understand how these structures operate and how they can be changed from the inside out." - Avinash Lekram. Read more: https://buff.ly/Na7f2U4

Avinash Lekram graduated with their Master of Public Health and a Graduate Certificate in Maternal and Child Health in 2022. Now as a public health educator at the New York State’s Division of Vaccine Excellence, we asked Lekram to reflect on their time at UAlbany and share their journey into the ...

Avinash Lekram graduated with their MPH in 2022, and now works as a public health educator at the New York State Departm...
09/11/2026

Avinash Lekram graduated with their MPH in 2022, and now works as a public health educator at the New York State Department of Health.

Why did Avinash choose UAlbany? "I wanted to better understand how systems that were built on histories of oppression operate and how they can be changed from the inside out. I was drawn to UAlbany because of its strong emphasis on equity, policy, and applied public health practice, and because I knew I wanted an education that would challenge me to think critically and compassionately about the world around me."

What's it like working as a public health educator? "The work is complex and layered, often intersecting with politics, systems, and deeply rooted social issues. I support vaccine education and communication efforts, help develop public facing materials, collaborate with internal teams and external partners, and contribute to projects that center community voices, lived experiences, and building trust."

What is Avinash passionate about in their work? "What we do is so much larger than ourselves. Even when we do not see immediate results, our work touches many lives. At the heart of what we do is the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy and dignified life. I care deeply about addressing broken systems, advocating for minority communities, and pushing for change even when resources are limited. This work is not meant to be done alone. It is a collective effort, and I am grateful to be a part of it."

What has Avinash taken from UAlbany into their job? "At UAlbany, I had the chance to learn from incredible professors who challenged me, believed in me, and helped shape the way I think about health communication and education. Their mentorship taught me to approach messaging with intention, humility, and care, which directly influences how I develop materials and campaigns today "

Advice for students? "You do not need to have everything figured out. Take things one step at a time. Meet people. Be open to asking questions. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Take up space. Be curious. Trust that your path will unfold the way it is meant to."

Alumni spotlight: Emmanuel Nyarko is a Mental Health Promotion Specialist who oversees the Wellness Coaching Program at ...
09/08/2026

Alumni spotlight: Emmanuel Nyarko is a Mental Health Promotion Specialist who oversees the Wellness Coaching Program at UAlbany and works with students on specific, actionable steps and strategies to enhance their overall health and wellbeing. He collaborates with faculty and staff to help students prioritize their wellbeing, develop tangible skills and identify the autonomy they have over their health with the goal that these efforts will translate directly to their experience as a student and beyond.

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