A Look at School of Public Health Research
A hub of innovative public health research
The UT School of Public Health San Antonio is a vibrant center for groundbreaking research addressing pressing public health challenges. The diverse portfolio of studies leverages cutting-edge technologies, community partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations to improve the health and well-being of populations locally and globally.
Addressing Diverse Health Issues
Research at the School of Public Health covers a wide range of critical areas. For example, the Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, located within the school, uses advanced technologies like ultrasound and arterial stiffness measurements to study how diabetes and obesity affect cardiovascular health and related organ damage to the brain, liver and kidneys.
In the realm of environmental health, the Community Action Research for Air Equity (CARE) Program is pioneering innovative approaches to monitor and improve air quality in pollution-burdened communities. By utilizing electric buses equipped with real-time air quality monitors and working closely with community members as citizen-scientists, the program delivers precise, cost-effective data and empowers communities to take ownership of their environmental health.
Further environmental health research from Leanne Fawkes, DrPH, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, looks at the health risks of residential pollution in underserved areas, utilizing participatory research and geospatial analysis to assess the presence of contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides and to develop solutions for mitigation.
The school is also actively involved in research regarding substance use and behavioral health. A study by Tae Joon Moon, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, on the effectiveness of transdermal alcohol monitoring for reducing heavy drinking among drivers demonstrates the potential of technological interventions to address alcohol-impaired driving, a major public health concern. Additionally, Tracey Barnett, PhD, chair and associate professor of the Department of Quantitative and Qualitative Health Sciences, conducts research focusing on improving the treatment of substance use disorders in individuals with developmental disabilities, addressing a significant gap in clinical practice and training.
Michael Halpern, MD, professor in and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Health Services Administration, focused on a range of studies examining cancer screening, treatment and survivorship. These included research using data from the National Cancer Institute’s Patterns of Care Study to assess how to improve patient-centered care by identifying patient- and hospital-level factors that affect whether individuals with kidney and bladder cancer receive integrated care services such as care coordination and supportive care.
Community-Engaged Research
The school is dedicated to improving lives by building trust and creating tangible change, one community at a time. The Bridging Innovative Research Methods to Community Health (BIRCH) project, co-led by Erika Thompson, PhD, exemplifies this commitment, partnering with community organizations to conduct impactful research that directly benefits the populations it serves.
Similarly, the Community Engagement for Building Capacity, Trust, and Ownership of Research (CONNECTOR) initiative, funded by the American Heart Association and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and led by School of Public Health Dean Vasan Ramachandran, MD, prioritizes community-driven research, fostering collaborations and resource sharing across multiple partner hubs. This focus on community involvement ensures that research is relevant, accessible and empowering for those most affected by health disparities.
Carmen Valdez, PhD, partners with communities in the Rio Grande Valley through coalition-building and youth citizen science to address environmental burdens faced by young people in colonias. Valdez co-leads the Frontline Community Partnerships for Climat