USF College of Public Health

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Janice Zgibor on her appointment as dean of the USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy!

A professor of epidemiology and longtime leader in the USF College of Public Health, Dr. Zgibor has dedicated more than a decade to advancing public health education, research and student success at USF.

We are grateful for her leadership and contributions to COPH and look forward to seeing her continue to make an impact across USF Health in her new role.

Congratulations, Dr. Zgibor! 🤘

Read more here: https://www.usf.edu/health/news/2026/usf-names-new-dean-of-the-taneja-college-of-pharmacy.aspx?fbclid=IwY2xjawSf1S9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWdnV3NXljU09pZHR5cnlJc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHq86cKwLns4XO-GBxSB0JqX7TegHRyKHs9-loG34duLz0T3ND_WopjTNKL7E_aem_Ms5MclrqcrCxMZYLJhbDmg

What happens when a family has more than one child affected by a birth defect?

COPH researchers analyzed decades of Florida birth data to better understand the likelihood of birth defects recurring within families, providing valuable insights that can help inform genetic counseling, family planning and maternal-child health care.

Read more: https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-researchers-shed-new-light-on-recurring-birth-defects-in-families.aspx

COPH's Dr. Mahmooda Khaliq Pasha recently represented USF's World Health Organization Collaborating Center at the first-ever Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres in Lyon, France.

The event brought together public health leaders from more than 80 countries to strengthen global collaboration and advance solutions to today’s most pressing health challenges.

Read more: https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/coph-researcher-represents-who-collaborating-center-at-global-forum-in-france.aspx

Ven, acompáñanos en este seminario virtual junto con el médico infectólogo Dr. Manuel Colomé-Hidalgo, Md,PhD de la Universidad Autónoma República Dominicana y las doctoras Dr. Arlene Calvo y Dr. Dina Martinez-Tyson de Salud Latina de la Universidad de South Florida. ¡En esta ocasión hablaremos de la etiología infecciosa de enfermedades crónicas, y el uso de vacunas para su prevención!

Join us for a webinar featuring infectious disease specialist Dr. Manuel Colomé-Hidalgo from the Universidad Autónoma in the Dominican Republic and Drs. Arlene Calvo and Dina Martinez-Tyson from COPH's Salud Latina .They will be discussing the infectious etiology of chronic diseases and the use of vaccines to prevent them!

Register at a2b67a98-5b3f-47dc-b556-6a331e93f6c5@741bf7de-e2e5-46df-8d67-82607df9deaa" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a2b67a98-5b3f-47dc-b556-6a331e93f6c5@741bf7de-e2e5-46df-8d67-82607df9deaa

The seeds of a public health career can start anywhere.

For COPH alumna Victoria Noel, they started at home, where lessons in service and caring for others inspired a lifelong commitment to community health.

Read her story: https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/the-seeds-that-shaped-a-career-in-care.aspx

The latest COPH Monday Letter is out now!

Catch up on college news, upcoming events and highlights from our community all in one place: https://conta.cc/4fQrYvV

Making science more accessible, one study at a time.

COPH researchers recently led an international training session designed to help health care providers better understand statistical concepts, interpret research findings and confidently apply evidence to practice.

Read more: https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-researchers-take-the-mystery-out-of-interpreting-technical-language.aspx

From classroom discussions to cultural immersion, COPH students recently traveled to Japan as part of USF's ongoing partnership with Gifu University.

During the weeklong visit, students explored Japan's health care and public health systems, toured hospitals and community health facilities, learned about school nutrition programs, engaged with nursing students and faculty, and experienced the rich culture and traditions of the Gifu region.

Learn more: https://www.gifu-u.ac.jp/en/news/news/2026/06/entry02-15118.html

What’s in the air we breathe?

COPH researchers are working to better understand traffic-related air pollution in Tampa and how it impacts the health of communities living near busy roadways. Using low-cost air quality sensors, their research is helping provide more localized data to inform public health and urban planning decisions.

Read more: https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/usf-researchers-want-to-clear-the-air-on-traffic-pollution-in-tampa.aspx