SPC President’s Message

Alvin ThomasGreetings, SER Student and Postdoc Community,

As we move into April 2025, public health research and practice remain a shifting landscape. From ongoing global health debates to the personal and professional hurdles we face as early-career researchers, our resilience is being tested. During these challenging times, I hope we can find community, support, and inspiration from one another. Indeed, it’s precisely in these moments that our work in epidemiology—rooted in science, equity, and impact—feels most vital.

I want to take a moment to celebrate you—our student and postdoc members—who bring fresh perspectives and relentless curiosity to SER and public health. Your contributions, whether through research, advocacy, or collaboration, are the heartbeat of this community. With the Annual Meeting in Boston fast approaching, now is the perfect time to harness that energy.

Early-bird registration is open through May 15, 2025, and I encourage you to secure your spot. It’s a chance to connect with peers, present your work, and soak in the wisdom of seasoned epidemiologists. This may be a particularly important year to participate in networking opportunities, the job fair, and other SPC events.

Looking back at the Mid-year Virtual Meeting in February, I hope those who joined found it as invigorating as I did. If you missed it, recordings are accessible on the SER website. These events remind us why we chose this path: to ask tough questions, uncover truths, and improve lives. As students and postdocs, you’re not just the future of epidemiology—you’re shaping its present, and I’m proud to lead this section alongside you.

Let’s keep pushing forward with purpose and solidarity. SER remains our space to grow, collaborate, and champion science that matters. Feel free to reach out with ideas or questions – I’m here in the trenches beside all of you.

In science and community,
Alvin G. Thomas
President, Student-Postdoc Section, Society for Epidemiologic Research