On the Heights: December 2025

December 23, 2025

Stay informed with the latest from the University of Michigan School of Public Health community in our monthly digest. Faculty expertise in action, groundbreaking research, policy advocacy, and community engagement highlight our continued commitment to advancing public health and creating positive change.

Research & publications

PCORI awards comparative effectiveness research funding

Zhenke Wu, associate professor of Biostatistics, received a $1,022,486 award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to develop reinforcement learning methods for building reliable digital health systems. The 36-month project addresses a key challenge: figuring out how to provide the right support to the right person at the right time through mobile health apps and wearable devices. While artificial intelligence shows promise for identifying patterns that can guide personalized interventions, current methods often struggle with real-world health data. Wu's team will develop new approaches that account for how people's needs change over time and differ from person to person, handle the complexity of health data, and work for interventions delivered at multiple times throughout the day. The project will also create free software and practical guidelines to help other researchers use these new methods.

Systematic review examines global impact of school feeding programs

Jennifer Garner, assistant professor of Nutritional Sciences, co-authored a Cochrane systematic review examining the impact of school feeding programs on disadvantaged children globally. The review found that free or subsidized school meals in low- and middle-income countries lead to small but meaningful improvements in math achievement and school enrollment, as well as gains in physical growth indicators such as height-for-age and weight-for-age scores. The research team analyzed studies spanning eight decades across five continents and emphasized the need for stronger, more standardized research to guide future policymaking. Garner noted that given the variation in contexts and program designs studied, the measurable improvements in growth, enrollment, and math achievement are encouraging.

Comprehensive stroke and diabetes study published in national report

A comprehensive study on stroke and diabetes in adults was published in the National Library of Medicine's NCBI Bookshelf as a featured chapter in Diabetes in America. The study was authored by Chen Chen, Wen Ye, Christopher Becker, Shihchen Kuo, Lewis Morgenstern, and Lynda Lisabeth, all from the University of Michigan. The research examines how diabetes serves as a major risk factor for both incident and recurrent stroke. The study identifies diabetes-specific stroke risk factors including hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, and albuminuria, and examines post-stroke outcomes, finding that while diabetes is associated with higher mortality and worse functional outcomes, the evidence for intensive glucose control improving outcomes remains inconsistent.

Leadership & honors

Olivia Anderson receives award for excellence in interprofessional education

Olivia Anderson, clinical associate professor of Nutritional Sciences, received the Award for IPE Excellence at the Michigan Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education’s 10-Year Anniversary Celebration. The award recognizes her leadership in advancing interprofessional learning through curriculum design, scholarship, and mentorship. Anderson's work integrates principles of teamwork, cultural humility, and collaborative practice across the core public health curriculum, ensuring that students develop the skills and mindset necessary to work effectively within diverse health teams.

Expert contributions & media

Panel discussion addresses healthcare spending and outcomes in Ohio

Alison Mondul, associate professor of Epidemiology, joined a panel of healthcare experts at the University of Toledo on December 11 for "Perspectives: Building a Healthier Future for Everyone." The panel discussion, presented by the University of Toledo and The Blade, addressed advancements in care and technology shaping healthier communities. Mondul, who studies the impact of environmental exposures on cancer and other chronic diseases, joined other experts in discussing approaches to preventing and treating health conditions, with particular focus on improving Ohio's health outcomes relative to healthcare spending.

Arnold Monto discusses common cold research on CNN podcast

Arnold Monto, professor emeritus of Epidemiology, was featured on CNN's "Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta" podcast discussing his five decades of research on the common cold and respiratory illnesses. Monto, who has been studying colds for more than 50 years at the University of Michigan, explained why despite the significant economic burden of colds—estimated at $40 billion annually in the U.S.—we still have no vaccine to prevent them or cure to treat them once we're sick. He shared insights from his work during the 1968 flu pandemic when he helped advance understanding of herd immunity by showing that vaccinating school children could reduce infection in entire communities.

Rick Neitzel explains health impacts of noise pollution in TV segment

Rick Neitzel, professor of Environmental Health Sciences, was featured on KWTX's "Degrees of Science" segment discussing the serious health impacts of noise pollution. Neitzel explained that while most people realize loud noises can lead to hearing loss, research has linked noise pollution to higher risks of heart attacks, strokes, and many other serious health issues. The segment provided viewers with helpful tips to limit noise exposure in daily life and highlighted Neitzel's research on why noise pollution poses such significant health risks beyond just hearing damage.

Faculty member uses storytelling to empower online MPH students

William Lopez, clinical associate professor of Health Behavior & Health Equity, published an article on the school’s blog, The Pursuit, emphasizing the critical importance of public health storytelling in today's landscape. Lopez, who teaches a health communications class to every first-year student in the online MPH program, dedicates a session to public health storytelling techniques and has students submit their own essays. The article features five outstanding essays from his Winter 2025 cohort on topics ranging from cancer care to autism, demonstrating the power of student voices in public health communication.

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