UMN SPH Division of Environmental Health Sciences

Congratulations Professor Silvia Balbo and the CAUSE team on being selected to receive a Cancer Grand Challenges grant! This team of experts will study the biological mechanisms behind mutational signatures - distinct patterns of DNA damage linked to cancer.

Cancer Grand Challenges empowers a global community of interdisciplinary research teams to come together to conduct world-class cancer research. This is a highly competitive and prestigious award. The CAUSE team was one of seven awarded out of hundreds of international applicants. We are proud of the work of Dr. Balbo and her colleagues in advancing cancer research!

https://www.sph.umn.edu/news/sph-professor-silvia-balbo-is-part-of-a-global-team-to-study-cancers-greatest-challenges/

Congratulations Itorobong Uwatt on winning first place at the University of Minnesota 3 Minute Thesis competition!! She also received the People's Choice Award, selected by audience vote. 👏

Itoro's presentation focused on how components of ho**ah to***co (waterpipe), such as flavors, sugars, and toxicants, influence users’ smoking behaviors and risk perceptions, especially how these factors contribute to secondhand smoke exposure among children living with users. It also addressed common misconceptions about ho**ah to***co, using ‘Alice in Wonderland’ as a creative illustration.

Itoro will be participating in the MAGS 3MT Competition scheduled to be held next March in Kansas City, MO.

Read more at https://grad.umn.edu/news-events/news-overview/itorobong-uwatt-school-public-health-wins-three-minute-thesis-competition

The Mni Sota Center for Weather and Health (MCWH) is requesting applications for small grants ranging from $5,000 to a maximum of $30,000 to develop new initiatives and partnerships to understand the emerging and persistent challenges related to the health implications of extreme and variable weather affecting populations/communities from the Upper Midwest.

Pre-proposal application deadline: October 22, 2025

Learn more at: https://mnisota.umn.edu/pilot-projects

Join us Tuesday, Aug 5 at 10am for this seminar by Dr. Elizabeth Cahoon of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Cahoon will discuss cancer risks associated with environmental, occupational, and medical exposure to radiation and related research studies.

Presented in person in PWB 3-154, U of M twin cities campus, or join online at https://z.umn.edu/cahoon

"Do you worry about 'forever chemicals' affecting your health?"

Listen to Professor Matt Simcik as he discusses forever chemicals on The Evan Bray Show on 650 CKOM radio of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Dr. Simcik's segment is in the 11:30 timeslot in the broadcast.

The Evan Bray Show Segments – Monday, April 14th Brittany Caffet's new series, "The Remarkable Klara Belkin: A Holocaust survivor in Saskatchewan." Bear spray, self-care, space junk and geese are back. Are"forever chemicals" affecting you?

Impact of NIOSH-funded training at MCOHS A letter from MCOHS Director, Dr. Susan Arnold. The elimination of NIOSH places our entire national occupational health and safety infrastructure in jeopardy.

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month. PhD candidate Jacob Cassens was lead author on a study of genetic differences in ticks across the U.S. and how the information could improve Lyme disease risk assessments and enhance tick-control strategies.

Genetic differences could explain why ticks in Minnesota transmit Lyme disease while ticks in Southern states rarely do - School of Public Health - University of Minnesota As warmer weather returns to much of the United States, people are venturing outside again, bringing them into contact with ticks that substantially

Mary Kosuth, a PhD candidate with an emphasis in Environmental Chemistry, was recently selected to be the student speaker at the 2025 SPH Commencement ceremony. She was chosen for this honor by a committee of SPH students.

Mary's research focuses on microplastics. She recently represented the University at the regional Three-Minute Thesis competition and was featured on MPR’s Angela Davis show to discuss the impact of microplastics.

Congratulations, Mary! We are

Learn more about this year's commencement at: https://www.sph.umn.edu/current/commencement/

Congratulations to EnHS students Will Finical, Itorobong Uwatt, and Analisa Stephens for your winning posters and presentations at SPH Research Day! We are

Thank you to all students who participated in this year's event. We always look forward to sharing and learning more about the incredible research being done by SPH students.

View all SPH Research Day award winners at https://www.sph.umn.edu/events-calendar/research-day/previous-winners/ #2024

Now is a great time to register for a hazmat training course! There are still a few Spring classes with openings. Get your training done before summer. Discounted rates for students and groups!

Attend the SPH Red Dress Day on Tuesday, April 15, from 2 PM to 4 PM.

The SPH Red Dress Day honors missing and murdered American Indian women, children, and relatives, and highlights ongoing efforts to combat this tragedy. This year’s event will also spotlight cancer disparities and culturally tailored cancer prevention programs to improve health outcomes for Tribal Nations and Native communities.

Register to attend this event here: https://www.sph.umn.edu/event/sph-red-dress-day/