Center of Population Sciences for Health Empowerment

On April 29th, CPSHE postdoctoral scholar Dr. Eduardo De La Vega was published in JMIR AI for his article titled "A New Model for Youth-Driven Community Change: Exploratory Testing of Artificial Intelligence-Supported Citizen Science". You can read the full article at the link below. Congratulations to Dr. De La Vega!

A New Model for Youth-Driven Community Change: Exploratory Testing of Artificial Intelligence–Supported Citizen Science Background: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly used in health and community settings, yet empirical evidence on how they function within participatory, youth-led action frameworks remains limited. Large language models can provide structured feedback to support planning...

We are incredibly proud to share that Florida State University College of Social Work doctoral candidate & CPSHE GRA Rachel Harris successfully defended her dissertation yesterday! This monumental milestone reflects years of her dedication, scholarship, and passion in researching social determinants of health and wellbeing, focused on maternal and child health populations.

Drs. Eugenia Flores Millender and Frankie Wong co-chaired Dr. Rachel's dissertation. The other committee members were Drs. Amy Burdette, Yaacov Petscher, and Stephen Tripodi.

Please join us in extending our congratulations to Dr. Rachel Harris!

Congratulations to our Center members, Dr. Casey Xavier Hall, Dr. Jairo Pena, and Crim Sabuncu, along with Associate Professor Dr. Jessica Bahorski for winning the 2026 NAPNAP Research Poster Award at the 47th National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners' Pediatric Health Care Conference! Read more here: https://cpshe.fsu.edu/article/cpshe-con-researchers-win-napnap-research-poster-award

Congratulations to CPSHE faculty Dr. Adam Hanley!

Congratulations to these Florida State University faculty and staff members from across campus on receiving national and international recognition for their notable achievements!

🔸 Read more at news.fsu.edu

🎉 Wrapping Up an Amazing Spring Semester! 🎉

As we close out the spring semester, we want to give a huge shout-out to Merrill Sonne and Tamia Siplin, two outstanding UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program) students who presented at this spring’s Undergraduate Research Symposium!

Their research on Factors influencing HIV-related partner communication among adolescent girls and young women in a cash transfer program in South Africa is a crucial contribution to global health. 🌍

👏 Merrill Sonne is double majoring in Public Health and International Affairs, and Tamia Siplin is majoring in Biomedical Sciences and on the Pre-Med track. These second-year students are already making a mark in health research, and we couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments!

Here's to finishing the semester strong – excited to see where your research journey takes you next! 💪🙌



Florida State University College of Social Sciences & Public Policy
FSU College of Medicine

We are proud to announce that Professor Eugenia Flores Millender has been appointed as the Marie Cowart Endowed Professor at the College of Nursing — a prestigious honor recognizing her exceptional leadership in nursing research, education and community health engagement.

Established by Dr. Marie E. Cowart, a nurse and former dean at FSU, this prestigious professorship ensures enduring support for visionary nurse scholars who elevate the profession and empower communities.

This appointment represents a significant milestone for the College of Nursing, further reinforcing our commitment to nurturing bold, community-driven nursing leaders and scholars.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Millender on this well-deserved honor!

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4jFTLhi

Eugenia Isabel Flores Millender Center of Population Sciences for Health Empowerment

We’re proud to celebrate Professor Frankie Wong as the senior author of the upcoming 7th edition of Community Psychology.

This edition offers a clear and engaging overview of community psychology, from foundational concepts to real-world applications in mental health, education and public health. It features updated research, expanded theory and reflects the field’s ongoing growth and relevance.

Congratulations to Dr. Wong and the co-authors on this exciting release that will shape minds and inspire change!

Pre-release now available here: https://bit.ly/4iYTYMk

Center of Population Sciences for Health Empowerment Florida FIRST

We're excited to announce our latest publication in the Behavioral Medicine Journal of Aging & Health. In this study, our team delved into the real-world challenges that older adults face—exploring how factors like social isolation, limited access to healthcare, and financial constraints can impact overall well-being. Our findings highlight the potential of targeted, community-based interventions and supportive policies to improve quality of life in later years.

As our population ages, ensuring access to care and fostering environments that support healthy aging are critical for promoting dignity, independence, and wellness among older adults.

Discover more about our work and join the conversation about advancing health equity for our elders.
Read the full publication here https://doi.org/10.1080/08964289.2025.2480562

🚨 We're HIRING! 🚨
The Center for Population Sciences for Health Empowerment (CPSHE) is looking for Work Study Students to join our team! If you're a student looking for flexible hours and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in administrative support, we want to hear from you!

📌 Position Highlights:
Provide general administrative support (email, document prep, data entry, scheduling, etc.)
Assist in planning and organizing events, trainings, and travel itineraries
Work 10-15 hours a week (flexible schedule)

📝 How to Apply:
Visit https://jobs.fsu.edu
Insert Job ID: 59899 in the search engine

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]
Let's make an impact together! 💪🌟

Florida State University
Florida State University College of Nursing

Last Friday night, CPSHE faculty had the privilege of attending the College of Nursing's Nole Nurse Shining Stars Gala!

It was an unforgettable evening as we celebrated 75 years of leadership, excellence, and impactful contributions to nursing education, research, and practice. The gala provided a wonderful opportunity to honor the incredible work being done by our dedicated Nole Nurses and to celebrate those whose efforts continue to inspire positive change in our community.

A huge thank you to CON for hosting such a beautiful event and to the award winners and generous sponsors who made the evening possible. We’re excited to be part of this vibrant community and look forward to the future of nursing excellence.