Dr. Sacoby Wilson, who directs the Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health (CEEJH) in the University of Maryland School of Public Health, has been appointed to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Science Advisory Board.

We're all confused about what we should be doing about masks—and with good reason. We are receiving conflicting information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) on whether we should wear masks and continue to follow social distancing practices. And every day, the promise of a mask-free summer is called into question as we learn more about the Delta variant—a more contagious mutation of COVID-19. To clear up the confusion, Bem Faris, communications and media manager for the SPH sat down with Dr. Donald Milton, professor of applied environmental health at the University of Maryland and a leading expert on how viruses spread through the air.

Giving everyone a seat at the science table is the intention behind the term “citizen science,” which was coined in the 1990s. However, does it achieve inclusivity? 

Right now, two pandemics are happening simultaneously: COVID-19 and systemic racism. These issues have driven a conversation across several divisions in society, including the environmental health sciences (EHS) research community, according to an article published in May 2021. 

Did you know? Bisphenol A (BPA), a high-volume industrial chemical, is routinely used in plastic food, water containers and even the lining of food and drink cans. 

Dr. Sacoby Wilson, an associate professor with the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health and the director of the Community Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health (CEEJH) laboratory at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, was appointed by Aclima to serve on its advisory board of leaders in climate action and environmental justice. 

The University of Maryland will be holding its campuswide Spring 2021 Commencement in person on Friday, May 21, 2021. In order to accommodate all graduates while practicing safe physical distancing, the ceremonies will be held at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. The School of Public Health's designated ceremony time is at 4 p.m. 

An international group of scientists is calling for a “paradigm shift” in how we combat airborne pathogens such as COVID-19. The 40 researchers from 14 countries, including Dr. Donald K. Milton from the University of Maryland School of Public Health, are demanding universal recognition that infections can be prevented by improving indoor ventilation systems. 

On Wednesday, May 12, faculty, staff and SPH leaders convened for the virtual spring assembly where faculty and staff were honored for their outstanding service and commitment to the school.

View the PowerPoint slides from the 2021 SPH Spring Assembly.

The School of Public Health held its annual Dean’s Recognition Ceremony on April 30. The virtual event served to showcase and honor members of the school’s community with the Distinguished Terrapin Award and the inaugural Early Career Award.