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Wendy Nembhard SER President’s Message June 2026 I began writing this, my final President’s Corner article, several times—drafting, revising, and starting over more than I can count. I would write a few lines, delete them, and start again. I probably did that five or six times. There is so much I want to say, and yet finding the right words has not been easy. So here it is—maybe not perfect, but heartfelt. Our society, SER, is important. Its work extends beyond us and will shape future generations of epidemiologists. What we do in our respective institutions matters—not only in the present moment, but in its lasting impact on public health in the US and around the world. We often hear about the well-known names in our field, the ones highlighted in textbooks and on university walls. But we rarely hear about the many epidemiologists who quietly show up every day and do their work. They are the ones who prevent problems before they start, who keep situations from getting worse, and who help ensure that good outcomes continue. They may never make headlines or receive awards, but their contributions are no less meaningful. Clean drinking water, the absence of outbreaks, […]

Greetings, It is finally here — the 2026 Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, June 23–26, 2026. It is hard to believe how quickly this past year has gone by. I still remember the excitement of last year’s meeting, and now we are preparing to gather once again as a community of students, postdoctoral scholars, early-career investigators, mentors, colleagues, and friends. I’m truly looking forward to reconnecting with many of you in Phoenix, hearing about innovative work, welcoming new members into the SER community, and continuing the conversations, collaborations, and friendships that make SER so special. The Student & Postdoctoral Committee is especially excited about the many opportunities for trainees and early-career members to connect throughout the conference. I encourage you to participate in SPC events including the SER Fun Run-Walk, Breakfast with the Experts, Speed Mentor Networking, the SPC Career Panel, SPC Business Meeting, and the SPC Social Event. These events are designed to foster mentorship, professional development, community-building, and meaningful conversations in both formal and informal spaces. As this conference also marks the close of another SPC year, I want to personally thank the incredible SPC Leadership Team for their time, leadership, creativity, and […]

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Mid-Year Meeting. It was a wonderful success, and I am very grateful to our keynote speakers, session organizers, presenters, and poster presenters—every session was truly outstanding. I also extend congratulations to our poster award winners. Now, we turn our attention with excitement to our Annual Meeting in Phoenix. Several volunteer opportunities are still available, and I sincerely thank all of our volunteers—our meetings would not be possible without your time, energy, and commitment. In the fall newsletter, I shared that we were working to update the SER advocacy policy. I’m pleased to report that the revised policy is now posted on our website and available here. While it may not go as far as some members of our organization had hoped, it does allow SER to support initiatives that align with our mission and values, an important step forward for our organization. We often say things like, “time has really flown by,” “time got away from me,” or “where has the time gone?” Since January, that feeling has been especially strong—as these months have been filled with deadlines, events, and activity. But it’s worth pausing to ask: what is time, […]

Greetings, As we move into April, I want to begin by encouraging you to secure your spot for the 2026 SER Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona (June 23–26, 2026). Registration is now open, with early rates available through May 15, 2026. The Annual Meeting is a cornerstone of our community: offering opportunities to share your work, engage with leading scholars, and build meaningful connections across epidemiology. Your registration includes access to plenary sessions, poster presentations, networking events, continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks, and receptions, with pre-conference workshops available for an additional fee. As we look ahead to gathering in Phoenix, I also want to take a moment to reflect on the strength of our student, postdoctoral, and early-career epidemiologist community. The Student & Postdoctoral Committee continues to be a space for connection, mentorship, and shared learning — and that community will be on full display at the Annual Meeting. Whether this will be your first SER conference or one of many, your presence, ideas, and engagement are what make this space meaningful and impactful. This season often brings a unique mix of momentum and pressure — balancing coursework, research, manuscripts, presentations, getting ready for graduation, and planning next career steps. SPC […]