SERnews

Greetings,  As we head into February, I want to take a moment to check in with our student, postdoctoral, and early-career epidemiologist community and to thank you for the energy, care, and thoughtfulness you bring to SER. The Student & Postdoctoral Committee continues to be a space for connection, mentorship, and shared learning — made possible by your engagement and leadership. This time of year can feel especially full: balancing coursework, research, manuscripts, applications, and next career steps. SPC exists to support you through all of it. Whether you’re attending workshops, presenting your work, joining committees, or simply connecting with peers, your participation helps shape what SPC offers and how it grows. Looking ahead, there are several important opportunities I encourage you to keep on your radar. The 2026 SER Mid-Year Meeting (February 9–13, virtual) offers a great opportunity to share your work and engage with the broader SER community. For those interested in supporting research excellence and trainee scholarship, serving as a poster judge is a meaningful way to get involved — sign-ups are open, and I encourage you to consider participating. I also want to highlight the Annual Meeting Student Dissertation Workshop, taking place June 22–23, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. This workshop offers students the […]

It’s almost here—I can hardly wait! Our mid-year meeting is just around the corner, February 9-13, 2026 (cue the confetti, balloons, and streamers ). We’ll kick things off with an exciting keynote plenary on space epidemiology—not spatial epidemiology, but SPACE epidemiology. To infinity and beyond! (Yes, it’s a real field.) The keynote will feature epidemiologists from NASA who study spaceflight and the health effects of living beyond Earth, followed by a panel discussion. And while Colonel Buzz Lightyear will not be joining us, we will be hearing from a real astronaut. Other interesting mid-year meeting session topics include updates on menopause research, creating cultural epidemiology, meta-scientific reviews, tools that measuring neighborhood disadvantage, omics, cardiovascular health, selection bias and many more. There is also a poster session. So much to see and hear! Don’t miss out on this really great conference. If you haven’t already registered for the conference, you can register here. Registration is free for SER members. Our annual meeting is less than 6 months away. Join us, June 23-26, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ for another opportunity to see your colleagues, learn new methods, see exciting research, and breathe in the fresh, dry, hot desert air. Nothing says summer […]

Greetings, As we move into November, I’ve been reflecting on where we are as a scientific community — and as people. Across the country, conversations about research priorities, academic freedom, and science communication continue to shape the landscape of public health and population science. These discussions remind us that the work we do doesn’t just live in data or policy; it connects directly to the wellbeing of families, communities, and the world around us. Even amid uncertainty, I’m encouraged by the creativity, collaboration, and care I see every day among our community. Progress happens when we show up for one another and work together toward a shared vision of healthier, more equitable communities. Continue to hold space, continue to support one another, and continue to show and tell others that our collective work matters. The SPC Executive Board has been meeting monthly to plan new programming and identify ways to support our members. I’m especially excited about our upcoming webinar, Communication for Public Health Researchers, happening Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 10:00–11:00 AM (MT). This session will explore how we can make our research more accessible and impactful by improving how we share findings with different audiences — from policymakers […]

We have some really, really BIG news to share with you! Drum roll . . . So, what rhymes with Epidemiology?  Okay, nothing, but it got you thinking.  We are very pleased to announce that members of SER have a new benefit.  The journal Epidemiology is now a partner of our society!  Members now have the benefits of the American Journal of Epidemiology AND Epidemiology.  Two premier epidemiology journals in one organization! What could possibly be better? Don’t answer that.  So, what does that mean for you?  This power packed partnership gives our members significant savings and benefits.  For example, members will have access to both journals, and abstracts accepted to the mid-year and annual meetings will be published in a supplement of Epidemiology. Members will also have a discount for open access publication fees for manuscripts published in Epidemiology.  Check out the member benefits section on the website for more information. Drum roll again . . .  The SER website redesign is finished, completed, done, finito!  Hurray! The new SER website is sleek, hip and happening.  If you have not seen it yet – click on over and take a look.  You will be glad that you did.  If […]

It is June, and we are a week out from our annual meeting.  In the almost 30 years since I attended my first SER meeting, this time of year has always been full of the excitement of poster prep, fine-tuning presentations, and simply looking forward to seeing friends and colleagues from different institutions.  This year is both the same, yet quite different.  I won’t enumerate the many ways that we have all been impacted by recent federal actions, but it is clear that none of us is unscathed.   On April 30th we held a virtual Town Hall and were able to hear the experiences of some SER members.  We have now planned a follow-up in-person event during the annual meeting.  Organized by members of the D&I Committee, the Town Hall will be held on Wednesday June 11th, at 12:15pm.  Please join us if you can.  If not, there will be additional virtual gatherings in the coming months.  Despite the heaviness of the current moment, I still feel the hope and excitement of the upcoming meeting.  I look forward to gathering with some of the best academic minds in the world and celebrating our collective excellence.  We have planned an exciting […]

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 […]