Public Health Discovery Seminar Series

Interested in public health? Join the Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine faculty to learn more about ongoing research and hot topics in a wide variety of public health disciplines in our ongoing virtual seminar series.

All seminars will be uploaded and added to a YouTube Playlist.

Seminar Schedule

Stronger Systems, Smarter Responses: Translating Research to Readiness 
Monday, November 10, 2025, at 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM  
Summyr Burton, Doctor of Philosophy Student, Department of Environmental Health Sciences 
This seminar introduces several key initiatives the Region 6 Center for Health Security and Response Readiness is undertaking to advance public health preparedness within health departments. We will discuss the Center's establishment and foundational principles that guide our work and highlight pertinent challenges impacting optimal response to public health threats. With Summyr Burton, attendees will learn how the Center is leveraging theoretical tools to strengthen crisis decision-making, enhance cross-sector partnerships, and improve data governance within HHS Region 6 health departments (and beyond). 
Register here! 

When Zero Isn’t Just Zero: The Hidden Stories in Health Data 
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM 
Dr. Wan Tang, Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Data Science 
In public health, zeros like "no alcohol drinks," "no doctor visits," or "no risky behaviors" seem straightforward—but they’re not. A zero could mean someone never engages in a behavior… or just not this time. This gap isn’t just technical—it changes how we interpret data, design policies, and target interventions. 
This talk explores how hidden patterns in these zeros reveal deeper truths about health behaviors. By asking what kind of zero we’re seeing, we can uncover biases, predict needs, and avoid costly missteps. Discover why a zero is rarely just a zero—and how paying attention transforms public health. 
Register here!

Practicing Humility and Decolonialism in Global Public Health 
Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM  
Dr. Kristefer Stojanovski, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Behavioral and Population Sciences and Research Director, Partners for Advancing Health Equity 
Dr. Stojanovski is a global health population scientist. In this seminar, he will discuss his global research portfolio, which includes projects in Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya. Dr. Stojanovski will discuss issues of the continued colonization in global health. He will also discuss what it means to practice and work in global health as a white-presenting scholar from the Global North, guide the conversation on the practice of humility, and share his approach to combating colonization in the world of global health and development.   
Register here!

Understanding Suicide: What the Science Tells Us and Why That Matters in Public Health 
Monday, December 15, 2025, at 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM  
Dr. Breanna Banks, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Behavioral and Population Sciences 
Despite rising suicide rates and growing public concern, suicide prevention efforts often remain siloed in clinical care. This seminar explores how public health can play a transformative role in suicide prevention by integrating foundational theories of suicide—such as the Interpersonal Theory, the Existential Constructivist Theory of Suicide, and Cultural Theory of Suicide—with a critical understanding of the social and structural determinants that shape risk and recovery. Drawing from both empirical research and implementation practice, this presentation highlights how social inequities—such as housing instability, discrimination, and poverty—interact with psychological drivers of suicide. Participants will be invited to consider how public health training, program design, and policy advocacy can more effectively address suicide as a complex, multilevel public health issue. Join Dr. Breanna Banks to discuss implications for interdisciplinary collaboration, systems thinking, and community-based approaches.   
Register here! 

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