New Center Puts International Health Concerns at Forefront of UAlbany School of Public Health Initiatives

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

What:
The University at Albany will announce a new center focusing on international health-related issues. The center will leverage UAlbany School of Public Health's international collaborations, research and programs to engage students and offer a broad world view. The conference will be followed by faculty presentations on global health topics.

Who:
� Philip C. Nasca, Dean, School of Public Health, University at Albany
� Carol Whittaker, assistant dean for global health, School of Public Health, University at Albany
� Louise-Anne McNutt, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany
� Recai Yucel, assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
� Steffany Cavallo, Master of Public Health graduate (2008) with a concentration in Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University at Albany
 
Where:
Massry Conference Center at the Cancer Research Center, University at Albany East Campus, 1 Discovery Drive, Rensselaer, NY

When:
Wednesday, September 10, 2008, 3:45 p.m. news conference; 4 p.m. faculty/student presentations

Faculty/student presentations:
Louise-Anne McNutt, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics:  Dr. McNutt was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in January 2008 and has recently returned from seven months at the Tbilisi State Medical University in the Republic of Georgia.  She is also an Open Society Scholar working with our alumni at the Mongolian Health Sciences University in Ulaan Baatar.  At both institutions her focus has been on building new Schools of Public Health and developing infectious disease research infrastructure.

Recai Yucel, assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics: In Turkey public health is a developing field within medical schools but biostatistical research is not yet as fully integrated into the discipline as it is in the United States.  Dr. Yucel, a native of Turkey has consulted with colleagues at Hacettepe University, exploring opportunities for faculty and student exchanges and a dual diploma program modeled on other such programs within the SUNY system. 

Steffany Cavallo, Master of Public Health graduate (2008) with a concentration in Epidemiology: Cavallo, a member of the Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow (PHLOT) program, has been selected for a PHLOT Fellowship and will work with the Albany County Health Department.  Cavallo spent part of the summer at the School of Public Health in Costa Rica. UAlbany SPH is exploring exchanges and collaborative research with the School.

Background:
Through its partnership with the New York State Department of Health, UAlbany's School of Public Health offers students immediate access to internships at the Health Department, Albany Medical College, and variety of other public and private health institutions throughout New York. The school serves as the academic anchor of the East Campus, the biotech hub of the university's life sciences research, which includes the Cancer Research Center, home to the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics and the Center for Functional Genomics.

Students and faculty at UAlbany's globally-oriented School of Public Health study the most profound health issues facing us today: the origins of disease such as cancer, the threat of bioterrorism, the spread of HIV/AIDS and other emerging diseases, the lack of affordable and accessible health care for individuals and families, environmental hazards, substance abuse and social violence, maternal mortality in developing countries, the promises and threats of genetic engineering, and protecting food and water supplies.

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