School Work
NEW DEGREE PROGRAMS AT UCLA FIELDING
The UCLA Fielding School of Public Health has established new degree programs to meet growing demands in the field.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM: BACHELOR OF ARTS AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH
AS OF FALL QUARTER 2023, the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health offers two undergraduate degrees for students to pursue — a bachelor of arts in public health and a bachelor of science in public health — in addition to continuing the undergraduate minor in public health program.
The bachelor’s degrees, which were designed with key classroom and community experiences in mind, expand opportunities to pursue public health amid increasing interest and understanding of the field’s central role in addressing society’s most pressing challenges — including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters driven by climate change, and health inequities fueled by factors that include structural racism.
MASTER OF DATA SCIENCE IN HEALTH
IN WHAT IS OFTEN REFERRED TO as the era of “big data,” massive amounts of electronically stored data (information sets) on a variety of health-related issues carry insights with the potential to shape policies and practices that improve lives. As these databases become increasingly accessible to public health researchers, administrators, and policymakers, the demand for individuals with the skills to harness new technologies to tap into these treasure troves is soaring in hospitals, universities, research organizations, and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, among others.
To meet the growing demand, UCLA Fielding launched the Master of Data Science in Health degree program for Fall Quarter 2023. The degree program prepares current professionals and recent college graduates for the fast-growing field of using data analytics to improve health outcomes.
CELEBRATING SIX DECADES OF IMPACT
TO COMMEMORATE THE ACHIEVEMENTS of the school during its first 60 years, UCLA Fielding held Research, Innovation & Impact Day on campus in spring 2023, with more than 200 students, faculty, staff, alums, and friends of the school in attendance. The event, hosted by Dean Ron Brookmeyer and Associate Dean for Research James Macinko, featured 15 faculty presenters and five faculty moderators showcasing research and practice innovations targeting infectious diseases, climate change’s impact on public health, health equity, big data, and communicating public health. The UCLA Fielding Student Impact Poster Showcase was also a highlight of the event, featuring research and practice work led by the school’s master’s and doctoral students.
Immediately following the event, UCLA Fielding hosted the 60th Birthday Celebration, which included toasts by Brookmeyer, Dr. Jonathan Fielding, and Karin Fielding thanking the school’s community members in attendance, as well as acknowledging all UCLA FSPH community members for their dedication and impact during the school’s first six decades.
UCLA AWARDED $21 MILLION CONTRACT TO STUDY HEALTH IMPACTS OF ALISO CANYON GAS LEAK
THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY Department of Public Health selected a multidisciplinary UCLA team that includes FSPH experts to conduct the $21 million Aliso Canyon Health Research Study.
The study is evaluating the short- and long-term health impacts of the 2015-16 gas blowout in Aliso Canyon, California, which is con- sidered the largest underground gas storage facility disaster in the history of the United States. The blowout, in the northwest San Fernando Valley, released an estimated 109,000 metric tons of methane into the atmosphere, along with other oil and gas constitu- ents, over a period of nearly four months. An estimated 232,200 residents lived within a 5-mile radius of the facility. Some residents reported experiencing foul odors, oily mists, and a range of health symptoms, including headaches; nausea; vomiting; nosebleeds; coughing; and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat during and following the 2015-16 gas blowout.
Co-principal investigators of the study are Dr. Michael Jerrett, FSPH professor of environmental health sciences, and Dr. Honghu Liu, FSPH professor of biostatistics. Additional FSPH-based researchers include health policy and management professor Dr. Nadereh Pourat (MS ’90, PhD ’95), environmental health sciences associate professor Dr. Jesus Araujo, environmental health sciences professor Dr. Wendie Robbins, community health sciences professor Dr. David Eisenman (MS ’02), and air quality and climate change scientist at the UCLA Center for Healthy Climate Solutions, Dr. Diane A. Garcia-Gonzales.
An estimated 232,000 residents lived within a 5mile radius of the Aliso Canyon, CA, gas storage facility in the northwest San Fernando Valley. Some residents reported experiencing foul odors, oily mists, & a range of health symptoms from the blowout.
FSPH staff attending the 2023 UC Black Administrators' Council Conference.
FSPH STAFF JOIN COLLEAGUES FOR ANNUAL UC BLACK ADMINISTRATORS’ COUNCIL CONFERENCE
THE 2023 UC BLACK ADMINISTRATORS’ COUNCIL (UCBAC) Conference, held in February 2023, offered an opportunity for attendees to engage with one another, network, and explore the challenges and possibilities of leadership roles across the University of California (UC) system.
The UCBAC Conference is an annual two-day gathering of Black leaders from across UC campuses and career levels. The 2023 conference featured a keynote address delivered by Dr. Michael V. Drake, UC president; opportunities for attendees to engage and connect; and a variety of concurrent sessions, including one focused on the experiences of Black women in higher education.
UCLA Fielding attendees at UCBAC included Arlecia Powell-Halley, director of academic services for FSPH’s Office of Student Services; Porchia Toussaint, assistant director of the school’s MPH for Health Professionals program; Brittney Hawkins, project specialist for the MPH for Health Professionals program and Public Health Scholars Training Program; and Kaelyn Duke, student services advisor for the Office of Student Services.
CALIFORNIA SURGEON GENERAL DIANA RAMOS (MPH ‘04) DELIVERS 2023 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
THE UCLA FIELDING SCHOOL of Public Health celebrated 318 graduating students at the June 2023 Commencement ceremony held on campus in Royce Hall.
Dr. Diana Ramos (MPH ’04), California’s surgeon general, delivered the commencement address and spoke to the graduating class about her personal and professional path to public health. “Passion, pay it forward, and personal health: My hope is that you channel these three P’s in public health leadership and make the world a better place,” Ramos said.
Degrees were conferred by Dr. Ron Brookmeyer, dean of UCLA Fielding and a distinguished professor of biostatistics. In attendance to celebrate the 279 graduating MPH, MS, and MHA students, and the 39 PhD students, were family members, partners, friends, faculty, staff, students, and alums.
WELCOMING NEW FACULTY
Dr. Jun Chu, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Sean Darling-Hammond, assistant professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences and the Department of Biostatistics.
Dr. Brenda Freshman, adjunct professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Deborah Freund, adjunct professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Dana Rose Garfin, assistant professor-in-residence in the Department of Community Health Sciences.
Dr. Michele Guindani, professor in the Department of Biostatistics.
Dr. Olivia Jung, assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Srikanth Kadiyala, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Dhruv Khurana, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Z. John Lu, adjunct associate professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Philip Massey (MPH ’09, PhD ’13), associate professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences.
Dr. Lindsay Williams, adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Naomi Zewde, assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Jin Zhou, associate professor-in-residence in the Department of Biostatistics.
LEADERSHIP UPDATES
Dr. Sudipto Banerjee is UCLA Fielding’s new senior associate dean for academic programs. Banerjee, professor and former chair of the Department of Biostatistics, succeeds Dr. Yifang Zhu (PhD ’03), who held the role for five years and has returned full time to teaching and research in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences.
Carla Denly was promoted to associate dean for marketing and communications.
Dr. Gilbert C. Gee was appointed chair of the Department of Community Health Sciences. Dr. Michael Prelip (MPH ’85) previously served as chair.
Janae Hubbard has been promoted to assistant dean for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Dr. Julienne Jose-Chen joined FSPH as assistant dean for student services.
Dr. Rachael Jones joined UCLA Fielding as professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. Jones most recently was a faculty member in the Division of Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Utah’s Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, and directed both the Industrial Hygiene Program and the Utah Center for Promotion of Work Equity Research, a NIOSH Center of Excellence for Total Worker Health. Dr. Shane Que Hee previously served as chair of the department.
Allison Kamerman was appointed associate dean for finance and administration. The role was previously held by Kathleen Kiser, who retired.
Dr. Cathy Lang (MPH ’99, PhD ’07) has been promoted to assistant dean for research.
Dr. James Macinko was named associate dean for research. Dr. Zuo- Feng Zhang previously served in the role.
Kyle McJunkin was promoted to assistant dean for academic programs.
Dr. Ninez Ponce (PhD ’98) was named chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management. Dr. Jack Needleman previously served in the role.
Jennifer Powers was named assistant dean for development and alumni affairs.
Dr. Damla Senturk succeeds Dr. Sudipto Banerjee as chair of the Department of Biostatistics.
Dr. Courtney Thomas Tobin is the new associate dean for equity, diversity, and inclusion. The role was previously held by Dr. Alina Dorian, who continues in her role as associate dean for public health practice.
Dr. May Wang was elected chair of UCLA Fielding’s Faculty Executive Committee, a position previously held by Dr. Catherine Sugar.
Dr. Zuo-Feng Zhang was named chair of the Department of Epidemiology. Dr. Karin Michels previously served in the role.
Faculty Referenced in this Article
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Hankinson is a Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and of EHS, and Chair of the Molecular Toxicology IDP
Industrial Hygiene & Analytical Chemistry
Nationally recognized health services researcher and sociomedical scientist with 25+ years' experience in effectiveness and implementation research.
Associate Professor for Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health Sciences
EMPH Academic Program Director with expertise in healthcare marketing, finance, and reproductive health policy, teaching in the EMPH, MPH, MHA program
Dr. Ron Andersen is the Wasserman Professor Emeritus in the UCLA Departments of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Michelle S. Keller is a health services researcher whose research focuses on the use and prescribing of high-risk medications.
EMPH Academic Program Director with expertise in healthcare marketing, finance, and reproductive health policy, teaching in the EMPH, MPH, MHA program
Automated and accessible artificial intelligence methods and software for biomedical data science.
Nationally recognized health services researcher and sociomedical scientist with 25+ years' experience in effectiveness and implementation research.
Dr. Ron Andersen is the Wasserman Professor Emeritus in the UCLA Departments of Health Policy and Management.
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Michelle S. Keller is a health services researcher whose research focuses on the use and prescribing of high-risk medications.
Dr. Hankinson is a Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and of EHS, and Chair of the Molecular Toxicology IDP
Robert J. Kim-Farley, MD, MPH, is a Professor-in-Residence with joint appointments in the Departments of Epidemiology and Community Health Sciences
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Assistant Dean for Research & Adjunct Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences
Industrial Hygiene & Analytical Chemistry
Director of Field Studies and Applied Professional Training
Associate Professor for Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health Sciences
Assistant Director, MPH for Health Professionals Program
Director, Executive Programs in Health Policy and Management
Academic Personnel Coordinator/Assistant to the Chair
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Director of Field Studies and Applied Professional Training
Dr. Michelle S. Keller is a health services researcher whose research focuses on the use and prescribing of high-risk medications.
EMPH Academic Program Director with expertise in healthcare marketing, finance, and reproductive health policy, teaching in the EMPH, MPH, MHA program
Assistant Dean for Research & Adjunct Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences
Dr. Ron Andersen is the Wasserman Professor Emeritus in the UCLA Departments of Health Policy and Management.
Robert J. Kim-Farley, MD, MPH, is a Professor-in-Residence with joint appointments in the Departments of Epidemiology and Community Health Sciences
Nationally recognized health services researcher and sociomedical scientist with 25+ years' experience in effectiveness and implementation research.
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Michelle S. Keller is a health services researcher whose research focuses on the use and prescribing of high-risk medications.
Nationally recognized health services researcher and sociomedical scientist with 25+ years' experience in effectiveness and implementation research.
Automated and accessible artificial intelligence methods and software for biomedical data science.
EMPH Academic Program Director with expertise in healthcare marketing, finance, and reproductive health policy, teaching in the EMPH, MPH, MHA program
Dr. Ron Andersen is the Wasserman Professor Emeritus in the UCLA Departments of Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Michelle S. Keller is a health services researcher whose research focuses on the use and prescribing of high-risk medications.
Nationally recognized health services researcher and sociomedical scientist with 25+ years' experience in effectiveness and implementation research.
Dr. Ron Andersen is the Wasserman Professor Emeritus in the UCLA Departments of Health Policy and Management.
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
EMPH Academic Program Director with expertise in healthcare marketing, finance, and reproductive health policy, teaching in the EMPH, MPH, MHA program
Dr. Ron Andersen is the Wasserman Professor Emeritus in the UCLA Departments of Health Policy and Management.
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Nationally recognized health services researcher and sociomedical scientist with 25+ years' experience in effectiveness and implementation research.
Dr. Michelle S. Keller is a health services researcher whose research focuses on the use and prescribing of high-risk medications.
EMPH Academic Program Director with expertise in healthcare marketing, finance, and reproductive health policy, teaching in the EMPH, MPH, MHA program
Automated and accessible artificial intelligence methods and software for biomedical data science.
Assistant Dean for Research & Adjunct Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences
Director of Field Studies and Applied Professional Training
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Robert J. Kim-Farley, MD, MPH, is a Professor-in-Residence with joint appointments in the Departments of Epidemiology and Community Health Sciences
Industrial Hygiene & Analytical Chemistry
Associate Professor for Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health Sciences
Dr. Hankinson is a Distinguished Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and of EHS, and Chair of the Molecular Toxicology IDP
Assistant Dean for Research & Adjunct Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Assistant Dean for Research & Adjunct Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences
Dr. Ron Andersen is the Wasserman Professor Emeritus in the UCLA Departments of Health Policy and Management.
EMPH Academic Program Director with expertise in healthcare marketing, finance, and reproductive health policy, teaching in the EMPH, MPH, MHA program
Nationally recognized health services researcher and sociomedical scientist with 25+ years' experience in effectiveness and implementation research.
Professor of Community Health Sciences & Health Policy and Management, and Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Michelle S. Keller is a health services researcher whose research focuses on the use and prescribing of high-risk medications.
Director of Field Studies and Applied Professional Training
Robert J. Kim-Farley, MD, MPH, is a Professor-in-Residence with joint appointments in the Departments of Epidemiology and Community Health Sciences
Dr. Joseph Davey is an infectious disease epidemiologist with over 20 years' experience leading research on HIV/STI services for women and children.
