Political Science, Public Health Faculty Partner on Vaccine Study
Supported with a generous gift from Maxwell Advisory Board member David Kelso, Brittany L. Kmush and Shana Kushner Gadarian hope to better understand how state policies influence vaccine decisions.
See related: COVID-19, Giving, Government, Grant Awards, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Belief, Behavior, and Health: Religion as a Social Determinant of Health
Sandra D. Lane, professor emerita of public health, has written Belief, Behavior, and Health: Religion as a Social Determinant of Health (Routledge, 2025). The book details how religious beliefs across cultures impact health outcomes. It draws from research from the United States as well as Africa and the Middle East.
See related: Africa (Sub-Saharan), Gender and Sex, Middle East & North Africa, Religion, United States
Sidi Moumen Community Case Study
“Using a Community-Based Cultural Approach to Promote Life Skills and Leadership for Social Determinants of Health in Adolescents From Disadvantaged Communities in Casablanca, Morocco: A Sidi Moumen Community Case Study,” co-authored by Maxwell professors Robert Rubinstein and Sandra Lane, was published in BMC Public Health.
See related: Children, Adolescents, Income, Middle East & North Africa
Analyzing the Stability of Gun Violence Patterns During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Syracuse, New York
The article, co-written by Maxwell professors Peng Gao, David Larsen, Robert Rubinstein and Sandra Lane, was published in the International Journal of Health Geographics.
See related: COVID-19, Crime & Violence, New York State, Urban Issues
Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among the General Population in Japan
Co-authored by Sandra Lane, professor emerita of public health, the article was published in Asian Bioethics Review.
Maxwell Partners With VA Medical Center, Instacart to Bring Healthy Food to Local Veterans
With a grant-funded study, Colleen Heflin and the Maxwell X Lab are hoping to determine whether greater access to nutritious food leads to health improvements over time.
See related: Food Security, Grant Awards, Health Policy, Longevity, New York State, Nutrition, Student Experience
Larsen Cited in New York Times Article on Rising COVID Cases in New York City
The New York State Wastewater Surveillance Network tracks the spread of COVID by detecting the virus in wastewater. David Larsen, professor and chair of public health and lead epidemiologist for the network, says COVID levels in the city’s wastewater were below average.
See related: COVID-19, New York City
How Health Departments Use Wastewater Surveillance Data for Public Health Planning, Intervention
The article, co-authored by public health professors David Larsen and Bhavneet Walia along with Nicole Pulido, a research associate in the Public Health Department, was published in BMC Public Health.
See related: COVID-19, New York State, State & Local
Maxwell School Announces Faculty Promotions for 2025-26
See related: Promotions & Appointments
Maxwell Welcomes International Professionals for Program Aimed at Combating Drug Trafficking
The school’s Executive Education program and Public Health Department will co-host a Distinguished Humphrey Fellowship Program.
See related: Crime & Violence, Defense & Security, Global Governance, Government, Law, School History
Lessons Learned From Upstream Wastewater Sampling in Response to Poliovirus in New York State
Co-authored by Professor of Public Health David Larsen and MPH alum Alejandro Godinez, the article was published in Science of The Total Environment.
See related: New York State
An Inside Look at a Solution Combating Mosquito-Borne Diseases: David Larsen
Professor of Public Health David Larsen is on a quest to combat disease-carrying mosquitos. His secret weapon? The groundbreaking lure-and-kill device designed to outsmart these pests.
Kmush Quoted in HuffPost Article on Measles Cases Potentially Costing the US Its Elimination Status
“It could affect U.S. citizens’ ability to travel to specific countries if they don’t want the risk of measles getting introduced to their country. It could affect other people’s ability to come visit the U.S. Other countries might require proof of measles vaccination before they can reenter their home country,” says Brittany Kmush, associate professor of public health.
See related: Federal, U.S. Health Policy, United States
Maxwell School Welcomes the University’s Public Health Department
The addition brings hundreds of students and more than a dozen faculty experts to 'enhance our vital voice in the study of health,' says Dean David M. Van Slyke.
See related: School History
SHE-CAN Scholar: Public Health Student Sets Sights on Bringing Positive Change Back to Home Country
As a SHE-CAN (Supporting Her Education Changes A Nation) scholar, Sythong Run, who is majoring in environment, sustainability and policy and public health, plans to return to her home country of Cambodia to work and inspire young women to follow in her footsteps.
See related: Academic Scholarships, Student Experience
Gump Quoted in Washington Post Article on the Health Benefits of Taking Vacation
More than the immediate rewards, “vacations provide a buffer against chronic stress and inflammation—both of which wreak havoc on the body,” says Brooks Gump, Falk Family Endowed Professor of Public Health. Vacationing turns off the spigot of stress hormones like cortisol and allows the body to reset, restoring equilibrium, he says.
See related: Longevity, Mental Health, United States
Mapping His Future: Maxwell Student Will Burke Addresses Lead Poisoning in Syracuse
William Burke ’25 B.A. (Geog/ESP) creates digital maps to identify areas at risk for childhood lead poisoning in the City of Syracuse. His research is funded by a SOURCE Bridge Award, supporting faculty-led undergraduate research at Syracuse University.
See related: Children, Adolescents, Grant Awards, Maps, New York State, Student Experience
Class of 2025 Falk College Scholars
Being named a Falk College Scholar is the highest academic award conferred by Falk College. In this video and story, the seven 2025 Falk College Scholars discuss their most impactful experiences at Falk College and Syracuse University
See related: Awards & Honors, Student Experience
Class of 2025 Public Health Awards
The Public Health Department recently honored several undergraduate and graduate students with department awards. “We seek to be a leader in leveraging public health research and education to create the greatest impact on global health,” says Department Chair and Professor David Larsen.
See related: Awards & Honors, Student Experience
Hands-On Learning - Public Health Student Shelby Fenton
Public Health major Shelby Fenton is featured in this story from Syracuse University’s central marketing team about how internships have led to her post-graduate success.
See related: Internships, Student Experience