School of Public Health News
Spotlight: Nick An, Ph.D ‘28
Whether through his research or his many travels across the world, Nick An, third-year Ph.D candidate in the Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health (GEOH) studying Environmental Health Sciences, is all about community.
First Maryland-wide well water study finds E. coli in 10% of private wells
In the first-ever statewide study of well water on Maryland’s farms, water quality specialists at the University of Maryland School of Public Health (SPH) and UMD Extension found both harmful bacteria and a wealth of information about the factors that affect well contamination.
$2.5M NIH grant to measure effect of wildfire smoke and extreme heat on pregnancy
Wildfire smoke and extreme heat – increasingly the new norm – each have their own harmful effects on pregnant people and babies, including preterm birth and low birthweight. Now University of Maryland School of Public Health (UMD SPH) researchers will lead a $2.5 million grant from the National Inst...
Study Shows Higher Rates of Bird Flu in Cats Near Infected Dairy Farms
University of Maryland researchers and their colleagues found that after an H5N1 bird flu outbreak on dairy farms, cats were more likely to have bird flu antibodies the closer they were to the farms. Their study appears in the September 2026 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Several SPH faculty earn tenure, promotions
Eight faculty will begin the 2026-2027 academic year with a new recognition of their expertise in research and education. The positions go into effect in July and August.
Fresh solution to wastewater struggle In Nepal
Nestled in the foothills of the world’s tallest mountains, the Namobuddha Municipality of Nepal relies on water from natural springs and mountain snowpack diminished by climate change. Another threat to the water supply comes from the communities themselves.
Waste Watchers
Primrose Stukes fell in love with the small colonial in Baltimore’s Westfield neighborhood a dozen years ago, its bay-windowed kitchen perfect for family gatherings and Ravens parties. But after she bought the house built in 1930, brown sludge started creeping up from the tub drain in one of the bat...
Experts call on WHO to revisit approach to airborne risk after hantavirus outbreak
With three people dead and 11 cases from the recent hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, UMD’s internationally renowned expert on airborne viruses, Dr. Don Milton, joins public health colleagues in an opinion piece in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) calling on the World Health Organization (WHO) ...
Growing vegetables—and curiosity
On a bright spring afternoon, a group of bubbly fifth-graders descended upon a small garden patch outside of University Park Elementary School to get pollinator plants settled in the dirt. They tipped coneflowers out of their plastic pots, wiggled their fingers through the plants’ roots to break the...
Student-run study abroad inspires creative public health approaches
VARANASI, India – Outside the ancient city of Varanasi in northern India, UMD undergraduate Zoe Baber ‘27 co-leads a workshop with middle school students at the Vidyashram-South Point School on a book they created telling the story of “Esha” (or E.coli), how it spreads in water and what actions can ...