UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences

01/30/2026

This month, Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz reflects on the opening of the new SPHHS Hub, faculty and student successes, our plans for the university's "Week of Wellbeing," and the passing of a "rock star in our field."

Dean Siega-Riz provides her monthly newsletter message for January 2026.

01/30/2026

Associate Professor of Epidemiology Cassandra Spracklen and doctoral student Chi “Josh” Zhao are co-leading an international team conducting groundbreaking new research in the genetic drivers behind Type 2 diabetes. Their research reveals hundreds of hidden genetic drivers, in the pancreas, liver, muscle, and fat, missed by traditional studies. Their latest study appeared in the journal Nature Metabolism this week.

A new study co-led by Cassandra Spracklen and Chi “Josh” Zhao has uncovered hundreds of genes and proteins likely to play a causal role in Type 2 diabetes.

01/28/2026

See you soon! 🌷

01/28/2026

Congratulations are in order for public health alum Ben Karol! Earlier this month, the 2025 graduate was recognized as a "Patriots Difference Maker of the Week" by the New England Patriots Foundation for his program "White Coat Connectors" and their work with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc. As part of this recognition, the Kraft family, the New England Patriots Foundation and Gillette will be making a $10,000 donation to support the nonprofit.

“Thank you so much to the Kraft family, The New England Patriots Foundation, and Gillette for this award and for the generous donation to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center," he says. "I would also like to thank all of the inspiring physicians in our program who are opening their doors to students. Together we have expanded access to medical education for students from under-resourced communities in Massachusetts and New York, and I can't wait to see how our program grows from here."

Recent public health sciences alumnus Benjamin Karol ’25 was selected as a “Patriots Difference Maker of the Week” by the New England Patriots Foundation.

01/24/2026

Community Health Education's Daniel López-Cevallos and doctoral candidate Mariana Pinto-Alvarez, along with their Ecuador-based colleagues Irene Torres and Daniel Romero-Alvarez, have contributed a chapter to the textbook Health and Healthcare Systems: A Global View. Divided into thirteen regional sections, the book offers critical insights into global healthcare structures, historical and cultural contexts, and innovative approaches to enhance service delivery. Their chapter on Ecuador provides an overview of the country’s geographic, population, and cultural characteristics, along with an examination of the health profile of the Ecuadorian population.

Daniel López-Cevallos and a team of researchers have contributed a chapter to the textbook Health and Healthcare Systems: A Global View.

01/22/2026

When the new building delivers AND the chairs do too.

First official chair test in the new SPHHS HUB!

01/21/2026

It is with deep sadness that we announce that Dr. Daniel Ge**er passed away last month following a long illness. Dr. Ge**er devoted more than three decades of service to the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences as a mentor, advocate, and educator. He was widely respected and deeply valued by students and colleagues alike.

“He was incredibly devoted to teaching, his students, and service at UMass as evidenced by his having received the Riegelman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Public Health Education, among his many teaching awards," says Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz. "He was a rock star in the field of public health.”

https://www.umass.edu/public-health-sciences/news/memoriam-daniel-gerber

01/15/2026

The Department of Kinesiology and the Hampshire Regional YMCA in Northampton are teaming up to offer “LIVESTRONG at the YMCA,” a physical activity and wellness program designed to support adults affected by cancer. The 12-week, research-based exercise program is designed to help cancer survivors regain strength, overcome fatigue, increase flexibility and, most importantly, connect with other survivors and create a supportive network. UMass kinesiology students will assist with delivering specialized exercise programs for participants during sessions that will be held at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting this month.

Kinesiology and the Hampshire Regional YMCA in Northampton offer “LIVESTRONG at the YMCA,” a physical activity and wellness program to support cancer survivors.

01/14/2026

Congratulations to Heather Wemhoener on being named a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND)! The designation recognizes academy members who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues, as well as in their communities, by their service to the dietetics profession and by optimizing the nation's health through food and nutrition. A UMass nutrition alumna, Wemhoener serves as the online program director and lecturer in the Department of Nutrition. She also currently serves as the president of the Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association and a subject matter expert for the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Heather Wemhoener, online program director and lecturer in the Department of Nutrition, has been named a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

01/12/2026

Now is the time to apply for scholarships! Checkout the link in our bio to apply for UMass and SPHHS Scholarships. Applications due on February 15th!