UNT Health Department of Public Health

Observation sparks the questions that shape a researcher’s career, and curiosity is the foundation. For Dr. Allison Greene, one observation became the foundation of years of studying alcohol use, the environmental factors that influence risky behaviors and the perceived norms surrounding substance use among young adults.

In May, Greene received her Ph.D. in Public Health Sciences from UNT Health Fort Worth, but earning the degree represented more than just an academic achievement. It reflected years of investigating the factors that influence substance use and the perceptions surrounding it. Her passion for this work began with an observation that would eventually shape the direction of her research.

🔗 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3SEMOF9

As a longtime leader in health literacy, Dr. Teresa Wagner is expanding her impact on clear communication and health equity through three prestigious recognitions.

The associate professor in the UNT Health Department of Public Health was elected to the Board of Directors for the Center for Plain Language and recognized for her service as a Pledge Program Peer Mentor for Health Confianza. She was most recently appointed to serve the state of Texas on the Texas Medical Board.

Together, these roles position her to help shape plain language standards and patient safety standards while mentoring organizations to build sustainable, health-literate systems that improve access to trustworthy health information.

🔗 Learn about her involvement here: https://bit.ly/4gaBwQz

Darashagam "Dara" Nahal was hired as the library’s student peer research mentor in July 2025, when she was a full-time Department of Public Health student. She was frequently the first person people would see when they entered the library offices. This was intentional, said Melissa Brand, librarian and her direct supervisor.

“If a student was sitting in LIB 222, then maybe our students would feel more comfortable coming in to ask questions,” she said.

We asked Nahal about her experience working at the Lewis Library for the past year. Here’s what she said: https://bit.ly/3Uozoxo

A healthy community starts with knowing the place we call home. 🌟

From the history to the landmarks that make our city special, did any of these facts surprise you?

As the world turned its attention to the , billions of eyes followed the movement on the pitch – the sprinting, stopping, turning, balancing and split-second decisions that define the game. Every movement connects the body and brain in a seamless partnership.

For one researcher, that connection is more than a spectacle. It's the focus of his life's work.

With a background in epidemiology and exercise physiology, Dr. Gregory Knell, assistant professor in the Department of Public Health at the UNT Health Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, has spent his career asking a simple question: How can movement help people live longer, healthier lives? When asked about his passion for research, Knell said it centers on how physical activity can improve health and longevity.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4fzHRVu

One university. Two campuses. One shared goal. 🤝 When faculty members combine expertise across disciplines, they can tackle some of their communities' most pressing challenges.

That is exactly what Dr. Kari Northeim, assistant professor in the Department of Public Health at UNT Health Fort Worth, and Dr. Sahara Ali, assistant professor in the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science at the University of North Texas, set out to do. Their collaboration recently earned a $50,000 exploratory grant through the UNT & UNT Health Interdisciplinary Team Science (ITS) Awards.

🔗 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4fdNZCH

Camp C.A.R.E. returned to UNT Health Fort Worth for its second year, bringing students from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area together for a wilderness survival-themed experience that combined team-building activities with hands-on learning about careers in public health. 🏕️

Following the recent reorganization at UNT Health, this year’s camp represented a collaborative effort across the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine... and this year’s program extended its interdisciplinary focus partnering with UNT Health Physician Assistant Studies to introduce students to a wider range of health professions.

🔗 Read the full story:

Camp C.A.R.E. returns for a wild second year at UNT Health Camp C.A.R.E. returned to UNT Health Fort Worth for its second year, bringing students from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area together for a wilderness survival-themed experience that combined team-building activities with hands-on learning about careers in public health.

Few dental professionals choose a path focused on population health, research and community-based prevention. For Dr. Rohit Balasundaram, that specialized focus has already opened doors to a faculty career at one of the nation's newest dental schools.

As a recent PhD graduate from the UNT Health Department of Public Health, Balasundaram was appointed assistant professor at the Texas Tech Health El Paso's Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine following the successful defense of his dissertation in August.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4b6w8MF

🏕️ Camp C.A.R.E. is BACK at UNT Health for a second year! This year's campers have entered the wilderness, where every challenge tests their skills in Community, Action, Research and Education.

Camp C.A.R.E. is a week-long summer camp for high school students interested in careers in public health and healthcare administration. But this time...

⚠️ The stakes are higher.
🦟 The obstacles are everywhere.
📊 The data could save lives.

Will our future public health leaders have what it takes to survive? 👀 Tune in this week to find out!

Where a person lives can have a greater impact on their future heart health than previously understood. A new study co-led by Kai Zhang, PhD found that neighborhood social determinants of health in early adulthood are associated with an increased risk of developing subclinical cardiovascular disease later in life.

The findings highlight poverty, education, employment, healthy food access, physical activity resources and neighborhood safety as influences of long-term health outcomes. Read the full story:
https://bit.ly/4ebvHCP