Michigan Public Health News Center

University of Michigan biostatistics researcher turns complex health data into better treatment decisions

Honored with the 2026 Excellence in Research Award, Donglin Zeng develops tools that help clinicians identify more effective treatments for individual patients and guide public health decisions

University of Michigan biostatistician Donglin Zeng transforms complex health data into precision medicine tools that help clinicians personalize treatments and improve public health decisions. Honored with the 2026 Excellence in Research Award, his work blends statistics, machine learning and patient care to advance evidence-based medicine, vaccine research and healthier outcomes.

How measures of community need misread rural and urban areas--and why the differences matter

University of Michigan researchers found that two widely used tools for measuring community need often disagree, and traced it to one simple math fix. Standardizing the formula cut disagreement from 13% to just 3%.

On the Heights: July 2026

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

To trial or not to trial: Veteran vaccine advisers say vaccine clinical trials alone don't tell whole story

Two nationally recognized scientists with decades of experience advising U.S. vaccine policy argue that it is a mistake to exclude well-designed observational studies in determining how well vaccines work on a year-to-year basis.

New dean brings collaborative global health leadership to Michigan Public Health

Dr. Charles B. Holmes, MPH ’95, brings decades of experience in infectious disease, policy and global partnerships to lead the school at a critical time

Dr. Charles B. Holmes, MPH ’95, was appointed dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, bringing global health leadership in infectious disease, policy, HIV prevention, tuberculosis vaccine access and community partnerships. His collaborative approach emphasizes scientific rigor, trust, health equity and preparing future public health leaders for impact.

Global public health leaders react to Charles B. Holmes being named dean of Michigan Public Health

Charles B. Holmes, newly appointed dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, is recognized by global health leaders for scientific rigor, health equity, HIV and tuberculosis expertise and collaborative leadership. Colleagues from PEPFAR, Georgetown University, Gates Medical Research Institute, Malawi and Zambia highlight his impact on public health systems and communities.