Study confirms link between alcohol consumption, breast cancer risk in black women
May 1, 2017 Based on studies that primarily have included data from white women, alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for breast cancer. Now, a study co-authored by epidemiology doctoral student Lindsay Williams, Dr. Melissa Troester and others confirms the link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk for black women, an understudied group.
Study finds small, mostly-male schools are less likely to have sexual assault policies
April 20, 2017 A new research paper highlights the wide variation in definitions of consent at universities across the United States.
New study explores timing of changes in blood pressure health that lead to larger disparities
April 20, 2017 African Americans and men are more likely to transition from ideal levels of blood pressure in childhood or early adulthood compared to white Americans and women, which puts them at increased risk of developing hypertension earlier in life.
Gillings researchers find further evidence that bats may be evolutionary source of MERS
April 13, 2017 A collaborative team including researchers from the Gillings School has found new evidence to support the hypothesis that the MERS coronavirus originated in bat populations.
Cancer burden will shift for people with HIV in US, study finds
April 6, 2017 Epidemiology doctoral student Jessica Islam worked with researchers at the NCI and CDC to find that the total number of HIV-positive cancer patients in the U.S. is projected to decrease through 2030. Islam and colleagues attribute the lowered cancer risk to widespread treatment with antiretroviral therapies.
Troester named new director of Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility
April 1, 2017 Dr. Melissa Troester has been named director of the UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility (CEHS), effective April 1. She succeeds Dr. James Swenberg, who had led CEHS since 2001.
Fourth annual GillingsX talks draw record crowd
March 27, 2017 The fourth annual GillingsX event, hosted by the Student Global Health Committee on March 23, highlighted students' global health research experiences. The format is modeled after the TED talks, which aim to deliver an important idea in a short, interesting presentation.
Epidemiology student wins IntraHealth award for research related to intimate partner violence
March 24, 2017 Josie Caves, epidemiology doctoral student, has won IntraHealth International’s 2017 Raluca Iosif Intimate Partner Violence Research Award. The award will support Caves' research on factors that determine whether intimate-partner violence manifests as homicide or homicide/suicide.
Preterm births more common in mothers who are cancer survivors
March 24, 2017 Dr. Hazel Nichols and epidemiology student Chelsea Anderson were co-authors of a study that found women who were diagnosed and treated for cancer during their childbearing years more commonly gave birth prematurely – and to babies whose weights were below normal. Their findings were published in JAMA Oncology.
Eight faculty members selected as 2017 ‘Celebrate Teaching!’ awardees
March 24, 2017 Eight faculty members were selected by their students to receive the 2017 “Celebrate Teaching!” Award. The annual award honors those “who have inspired students; enhanced student learning through creative, engaging and innovative teaching methods; and supported students’ academic success and professional development.”
