NMSU Public Health Sciences

08/21/2026

PHS Family, take a look at the work of our alumna!

Penny Kessler of Freeburg, Illinois, has been accepted into the Peace Corps. Kessler previously served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda, Liberia, and Rwanda. Kessler departed for Kenya on August 9 to begin training as a malaria prevention outreach specialist.

Kessler is a 2018 graduate of New Mexico State University with a master's degree in public health (was also a graduate assistant)

“As a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I was eligible for the Coverdell Fellowship, which provided financial assistance for my master’s,” said Kessler. “This will be my fourth Peace Corps assignment. With each service, I learn more about cultures and want to experience more countries.”

As a malaria prevention outreach specialist, Kessler will collaborate with community members to strengthen health education and malaria case management.

Penny has worked for the Peace Corps, St. Clair County Health Department, and NMSU College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation

Peace Corps volunteers serve in host communities for two years following three months of training and receive a living stipend, housing, extensive language and technical training, and financial benefits that can include graduate school fellowships after service.

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About the Peace Corps: The U.S. Government's premier international volunteering agency, the Peace Corps sends passionate and skilled Americans abroad to collaborate on projects that advance both American and host country priorities. This year, the agency commemorates 65 years of putting purpose, passion, and skills to work for America and the world through volunteer service while partnering with America250 to encourage more Americans to give back. Since 1961, the Peace Corps has played a vital role in advancing U.S. global engagement through the work of close to 250,000 volunteers serving in 144 host countries. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow the agency on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

Editor’s Note: To arrange an interview with Penny Kessler, please contact Kelsey McMahon at [email protected]. A photo of Kessler is available upon request.
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply online. Visit peacecorps.gov to learn more about Peace Corps volunteer service in 60 countries.

07/28/2026

PHS Family, this is a PSA we want to share with you
💉🚑🚨🏥

We're facing a national blood crisis — only the second one in our organization’s history. Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, pushing an already strained blood supply to a critical level.

We are in dire need of donors to help patients counting on lifesaving blood for emergency surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment, and other serious medical needs.

Just three more donors at each blood drive this summer can end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply. Please don’t wait. Book an appointment to give blood now: https://rdcrss.org/4wfgYxg

07/20/2026

PHS Family, hope your summer has been fulfiling? Faculty in the department have been busy with their research. Take a look at the latest from Dr. Mindy C DeRouen!





Abstract
Places have a significant impact on health. Thus, examining place-based structural and social determinants can help inform effective public health interventions. HealthAtlas.ucsf.edu provides a single online platform to explore multiple domains of place-based data. The initial California-only version of Health Atlas was launched in April 2020, and a national version was launched in October 2024. An artificial intelligence-assisted search function was integrated in January 2026. Health Atlas includes data on over 200 variables across 5 topical domains: demographics, socioeconomic, neighborhood, environment, and health and health care. The data were either (1) obtained from the American Community Survey, CDC PLACES, and other public sources or (2) obtained through collaboration with research partners. Users can visualize and aggregate data for 7 geographic levels: census tract, zip code tabulation area, county, congressional district, core-based statistical area, public use microdata area, and state. Most variables are available across all 50 states in the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Users can explore Health Atlas to better understand the relationship between selected variables via maps, histograms, scatterplots, and summary plots. Users can select custom areas to suit specific needs. Customizable datasets can be downloaded for further use. Health Atlas provides freely available, user-friendly data and tools to support researchers, community organizations, government entities, and other public health professionals. We envision that Health Atlas will contribute to evidence-based, community-based initiatives; impactful health equity research; and effective public health programs.

06/20/2026

Go Aggies !!

New Mexico State University has long been known for advancing research that strengthens lives, fuels innovation, and aligns with New Mexico’s most pressing priorities. Three high-profile research...

06/01/2026

PHS Family, you are invited! June 8th, 6:30 PM!
Zoom link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88259866277?pwd=O70ey9rDJTlIARTYUhxOSobem1T3FJ.1

Join us for our upcoming Roundtable discussion on Monday, June 8th! This week the topic is: “Since public health is us, what has the OBBB done to us?” Dr. Becky Pearson, department head for Public Health Sciences at NMSU, emphasizes social and structural drivers of health and believes in the power of helping everyone understand both how public health is political and how we can understand that in a positive and productive sense. This talk will offer practical ways to incorporate PH theory into community life as we all navigate the impacts and potential impacts of the OBBB (One Big Beautiful Bill) on ourselves and our communities.
Roundtable is held at 6:30PM in the Sanctuary and on Zoom, a link is available on the church website. Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces

NMSU College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation
New Mexico Department of Health Doña Ana County Health & Human Services NMSU Alumni and Friends New Mexico Public Health Association

05/27/2026

PHS Family, the summer break has officially started for us! But, we keep busy with summer classes, community work, and research. Take a look at our latest ▶️🔽⏩️⏬️➡️⬇️

Daylight saving time isn’t just a seasonal inconvenience – it may also pose significant neuropsychological risks for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who experience biannual clock...

05/25/2026

05/18/2026

Shout out to faculty in the PHS department from NMSU College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation

05/14/2026

Way to go Janessa! Department of Public Health Sciences is proud to know that our graduating student is among the best at NMSU and is getting the NMSU Alumni Oustanding Graduate Award!

Credit- NMSU Alumni and Friends & NMSU College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation🥳🥳🥳🥳

✨ NMSU College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation has chosen Janessa Clark as its Spring 2026 NMSU Alumni Outstanding Graduate!

NMSU Alumni’s highest student honor, Outstanding Graduates are selected by the deans and a special committee within their respective colleges or by the Graduate School in recognition of exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and service.

Janessa is graduating with a Bachelor of Public Health. Originally from Alamogordo, N.M., she lived in several places before coming home for college, drawn by New Mexico State University’s statewide reach and the strength and flexibility of the College of HEST.

A former U.S. Army combat medic 🪖💉 and longtime caregiver for her grandfather, Janessa developed a strong connection to the public health program because of the multi-faceted intersection of research, data, and community programs in disease prevention and improved health outcomes.

In addition to her academics, she served as an Peer Mentor, Families and Youth Innovation Plus field intern, and AI Data Trainer through the Handshake AI Fellowship.

Praised by faculty for her ability to bridge public health theory with compassionate, hands-on practice, Janessa was once unsure attending college would even be possible. Today, she has built an impressive record through coursework, research, and field experience.

Janessa will continue into NMSU’s Master of Public Health program and eventually plans to pursue a doctorate in interdisciplinary biomedical sciences. 🧬

“Self-belief is priceless. My degree reflects perseverance, purpose, and a commitment to building healthier communities.” ✨

Congratulations, Janessa!

Read the full biographies of the Spring 2026 NMSU Alumni Outstanding Graduate honorees at ➡️ alwaysanaggie.org/alumni/outstanding-graduates.

05/11/2026

PHS Family, take a look at our latest cohort of interns who made a difference! Internship work presenters were-

Brad Corner (MPH) - DC Health
Melissa Gabaldon (MPH) - NMPHA
Nadishna Khadka (MPH) - NMPHA
Paloma Molina (BPH) - LC3/FYI+ LC
Adrian Alvarez (BPH) - NMPHA/ASPHN
Valissa Sam (BPH) - Vital Strategies
Georgia Ziegler (MPH) - Athena Huckaby
Melissa Herrera (BPH) - The Woodmark of Uptown
Sarah Hall (MPH) - Billings Clinic Infusion Center
Estefania Rincon Oliveros (BPH) - NMDOH
Tifah Benally (MPH) - Presbyterian Community Health
Hillary Hernandez (MPH) - Aggie Cupboard at NMSU
Cristal Perez (BPH) - NM Naloxone Saturation Strategy
Xitlaly Hernandez (MPH) - NMSU Student Assistance Services
Alyssa Favela (BPH) - Southern New Mexico Diabetes Outreach
Jacky Salazar Ramirez (MPH) - NM Social Justice & Equity Institute
Tamara Benally (MPH) - Intercultural & Community Outreach (ICO) Department, Central Consolidated School District
Tyler Copeland (BPH) - NMSU Aggie Health & Wellness Center Office of Health Promotion (OHP)