Look to Michigan Public Health: 2026 year in review

Collage of diverse University of Michigan School of Public Health students, graduates, and researchers smiling and engaged in academic and scientific work. The background features bright abstract color streaks and the text ‘2026 Year in Review’.

December 10, 2026

As 2026 comes to a close, the faculty, staff and students at the University of Michigan School of Public Health celebrate a year of new beginnings, thank our community for standing with us, and recognize significant achievements.

Dean Charles Holmes, a global health leader, began his deanship in July.
Our research investment topped $100 million for the third straight year. New research awards for FY26 exceeded $71 million, and several major award announcements (more below) punctuated the second half of the year.
Several major events—including the launch of a new series Global Public Health Futures—brought big thinkers and meaningful conversations to our campus in Ann Arbor.
Our faculty invested more deeply in integrating responsible AI education in the classroom through deeper training, increased interdisciplinary connectivity and enhanced student engagement.
Students held global public health internships across XX countries and spanning XX partnering organizations.
Nearly one-third of our faculty rank among the world’s top 2% of scientists.

Being ranked one of the top schools of public health in the nation is a responsibility we take seriously. Across Michigan, the nation, and the world, people look to the University of Michigan School of Public Health for evidence, education, leadership and hope. Our world is changing, and we see that as an opportunity. We’re proud of our work in 2026 and are poised to shape what's next to build a healthier future for all.

Leading the Way

Our committed faculty and staff power our pursuit, and this year we welcomed a new leader to guide it. Charles Holmes, an internationally recognized physician-scientist and global health leader, began his tenure as dean on July 1.

Our faculty also led the national conversation on the public health issues shaping everyday life, from new federal dietary guidelines, the summer’s Cyclospora outbreak, cell phone restrictions in schools, to rural health.

Charles Holmes began serving as dean of Michigan Public Health on July 1.

Education

Over the past year 573 students received their degrees from Michigan Public Health, including 55 doctoral students, 408 master's students and 110 undergraduate students. They have gone on to positions in industries like hospital administration, higher education, pharmaceuticals, governmental public health, and more, along with the pursuit of advanced degrees in medicine, law, and, naturally, public health to name a few.

Looking back a bit further, one year after graduation 94% of recent graduates reported having a job or pursuing an advanced degree. Our graduates remain in demand across the country and across the world.

This August we welcomed nearly 600 new students from 24 countries and 37 states and territories, along with Washington, DC. They are an endless source of curiosity, compassion, and inspiration, and are now part of our community stretching back 84 years to our founding in 1941

Graduation ceremony at Hill Auditorium with graduates in caps and gowns facing stage with faculty — The Class of 2025 was celebrated May 1 at historic Hill Auditorium.

Research

Michigan Public Health researchers advanced critical knowledge across public health this year, contributing to the university’s record $2.16 billion in research volume in FY25. Our school accounted for more than $107 million of that investment—resources that support rigorous inquiry in the health challenges facing our communities and our world.

Our faculty and students published more than 1,100 peer-reviewed articles this year, examining everything from the effects of harmful algal blooms on life expectancy with ALS to the mental health outcomes of HBCU students. They used machine learning to improve risk prediction for recurrent health events, studied biological changes in wildland firefighters that may explain increased cancer risks, examined healthcare job recovery post-pandemic, and collaborated with Apple and the World Health Organization to understand sound exposures' impact on health.

To demonstrate the real-world value of this work, we launched our Research Impact Campaign—a series of short videos showcasing how public health research creates tangible benefits for people and communities. In a time when research funding faces uncertainty, making this connection with the public has never been more important.

We also strengthened our research infrastructure this year. The Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science, and Practice expanded our capacity to address critical issues affecting families. The Center for Midlife Science was renamed the Center for Lifecourse Epidemiology and Aging Research (CLEAR) that better reflects its work across populations by age. And the Michigan Genomics Initiative, led by Michigan Public Health researchers, joined with two other health-focused initiatives at the university to become AI & Digital Health Innovation.

Through this work, our researchers remained focused on what matters most: creating knowledge that improves lives and advances health equity for all.

Jennifer Head, the John G. Searle Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, on the left, and student researcher Sarah Dobson working with a drone outdoors — Jennifer Head, left, the John G. Searle Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, and Sarah Dobson, MPH ’24, load an air filter on a drone to sample air for the fungus that causes valley fever.

Practice

Michigan Public Health faculty demonstrated an unwavering commitment to translating knowledge into real-world impact. Leading this effort, Anand Parekh returned to the school of Public Health as the inaugural chief health policy officer, bringing decades of experience in medicine, public service and policy. His role bridges academic research with policy solutions and mentorship, reflecting a vision for public health rooted in prevention, collaboration and community trust.

Faculty members’ expertise captured widespread attention, with over 10,000 media mentions amplifying voices on urgent public health topics—such as Kate Bauer’s evidence-based response to proposed SNAP restrictions and Michael Shepard’s insights on Medicaid cuts. These contributions have informed public discourse and advanced equity-focused solutions.

We celebrated 16 faculty, staff and students at the annual Public Health Honors, highlighting those who “walk the walk.” Paul Fleming earned the Excellence in Practice Award for championing hands-on, equity-driven education and community-led health initiatives. Diversity efforts shone through honorees like Bambarendage Pinithi “Pini” Perera and Peter Slutzker, whose inclusive outreach and engagement set new standards for educational equity and community partnership.

Through policy leadership, media engagement, and direct community collaboration, Michigan Public Health faculty continue forging pathways toward a healthier, more equitable society:

Dr. Anand Parekh in a navy suit and blue patterned tie, smiling in an office setting — Anand Parekh, BA, MPH ’02, MD, was selected as Michigan Public Health’s inaugural chief health policy officer in August.

Look to Michigan Public Health

Providing thoughtful and inspiring information about public health is crucial. Michigan Public Health invests in storytelling across multiple platforms including our award-winning magazine Findings, the Population Healthy podcast, Brand Ambassador videos, along with thought leadership from The Pursuit, and profiles of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.