Students, faculty and alumni from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health spent a week in Washington, D.C., presenting research, exchanging ideas and engaging with colleagues at the 2025 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo. The conference unfolded amid the federal government shutdown, accentuating uncertainty and heightened attention facing the public health sector.
School of Public Health students and faculty presented research on many facets of public health, including behavioral health, environmental health, maternal and child health, overdose prevention, global nutrition policy and workforce development. Their presentations demonstrated the breadth of work happening across Nevada and the School’s commitment to preparing leaders who improve health in communities locally and globally. Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci noted: “APHA brings together some of the strongest voices in public health, and our students stand shoulder to shoulder with national leaders. Their work reflects both academic excellence and a deep commitment to improving community health.”
Across poster sessions, panels and informal conversations, Nevada students demonstrated a strong command of their topics and enthusiasm for contributing to solutions that improve community well-being. For Nevada students, APHA offered an opportunity to contribute to national discussions with confidence while sharing research on urgent issues and connecting with leaders navigating similar uncertainty. In addition to student and faculty presentations, Dean Akpinar-Elci joined national colleagues in the One Health Communication Roundtable, which explored how collaboration across human, animal, plant and environmental health strengthens global and community health.
“Our students and faculty are advancing evidence-based solutions, partnering with communities and pushing the field forward,” Akpinar-Elci said. “I am proud of how they represent Nevada and proud of the impact they are already making.” As one theme stood out across all presenters and participants: Nevada students are ready to contribute, collaborate, and lead.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2025/apha2025-highlights