Suzanne Bevan

In the weeks since my last President’s Message, much has changed in the world.  Just a month ago, we had only an inkling of the challenges before us compared to what we now know and are experiencing. Many in the SER community have already been impacted, and each day we learn of others who have received funding termination notices, face hiring freezes, and have otherwise had their career paths unsettled.  While there are few words that will bring the desired comfort to those experiencing the most pain, please know that the SER community stands with you. In response to these challenges, SER is exploring resource sharing opportunities with other scientific societies which share our values and vision. In the coming weeks and months, we will host webinars and other activities where we can gather to exchange ideas and information, and comfort one another.  On April 30th at 12pm (EST) we will host a Town Hall style webinar for members. Announcement to follow.  Please save the date. We are also planning similar in-person spaces during the annual meeting in June.  Details to follow. The American poet Toi Derricotte wrote “Joy is an act of resistance”.  I have said previously that we […]

Greetings, 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 […]

Happy September, SER! I want to begin by thanking you all for entrusting me to lead this amazing organization.  SER has been an important part of my professional life, and it is truly the honor of my life to serve as your President. I look forward to the work ahead. A big shout out to our Texas members for welcoming us all to Austin last June.  And what an impressive meeting it was! Over 1,300 attendees participated in over 20 workshops, 24 symposia, and numerous oral abstract sessions, lunchtime discussions, and professional development sessions.   In true SER fashion, there was something for everyone. As SER President and a native Bostonian, it will be my pleasure to welcome SER back to my hometown.  The 2025 meeting will be the “reschedule” of the Boston 2020 meeting up-ended by the pandemic, and will be the fourth convening in Boston (previous meetings were held in 1996, 2007 and 2013).  For those who’ve never been, Boston holds a unique place in U.S. history.  Known as the “birthplace of the American Revolution”, Boston is home to the country’s oldest school (Boston Latin School, est. 1635); the oldest health department (once led by a local guy named […]

It’s June! And June means that it’s time for the annual meeting. We have a great meeting planned. From the plenaries to the symposia to the oral sessions to the posters, the program promises to be engaging and educational. Our collective efforts to improve human health as epidemiologists are impressive. If you’re presenting at SER, and especially if you’re presenting for the first time, take some time to review the presentation I recorded to help people present more effectively. You can find the presentation here: https://epiresearch.org/2024/05/22/serpresents-short-talks-long-talks-job-talks-lets-talk-about-giving-talks/ This year, our meeting falls on Juneteenth. Fundamentally, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. During the meeting, we will share about Juneteenth to inform and test your knowledge. See how you do with the quiz questions and then take the time to learn from the quiz answers. We hope that everyone will find this activity worthwhile. Looking for another way to honor Juneteenth? Join in the SER 5k run or 1 mile walk. And if you’re up to it, extend the walk a little further to 2.5 miles. Or maybe walk that 2.5 mile walk sometime later in the day on June 19. Why 2.5 miles? The 2.5 miles represents the time from the […]