UC Berkeley Public Health

10/29/2026

In an insightful conversation with Kimberly MacPherson, healthcare visionary Lynn Barr (MPH ’11) took the stage at UC Berkeley Public Health on October 6 to tackle American healthcare's thorniest issues, from rural health gaps to data fragmentation. Driven by her mission to fix a broken system, Barr detailed her vision of consolidating scattered medical records into a unified database so patients can finally take full control of their health data.

At the event, Barr was presented with an award from UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor Julie Hooper honoring her transformational leadership and generosity, celebrating her as the embodiment of Berkeley values—questioning the status quo in service of the public good.

Learn more: https://f.mtr.cool/47cgy8x56g
Watch the video of their conversation: https://f.mtr.cool/fg90hzctc2

10/28/2026

⏳ FINAL HOURS: Help us cross the finish line for UC Berkeley Public Health students!

Our annual crowdfunding campaign is officially coming to a close on October 31, and we need your help today to ensure money isn't an obstacle for the next generation of public health leaders.

For 9 consecutive years, this incredible community of alumni and friends has stepped up to help us exceed our goal. We are down to the wire to meet or exceed our fundraising goal and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in public health.

Donation perks we’re offering:
$25: Your Name Listed on the PHAA Honor Roll
$100: A Handwritten Thank You Card
$250: A Big Shout out on Social Media

The rising cost of higher education is a massive hurdle for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Your support provides immediate relief so these students can focus on research, education, and community impact.

Time is running out, but you can still make a difference before the clock stops.

Donate before Sunday November 1 at 11:59 PM PST: crowdfund.berkeley.edu/phaa26

Health

10/27/2026

A new study from UC Berkeley Public Health reveals that over 150 million people across 33 countries live within two miles of an oil or gas well. Living near these sites has been linked to serious adverse health risks, including asthma exacerbations, pregnancy complications, and premature death. Researchers emphasize that identifying these exposed populations is a crucial first step toward understanding and mitigating the global health impacts of fossil fuel extraction.

Postdoctoral scholar Lara Schwarz led the study; Schwarz is with the EQUIS lab run by Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences David J.X. Gonzalez.

Learn more about the research: https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/articles/spotlight/research/populations-living-near-oil-or-gas-wells

As technology drives up energy consumption, identifying populations living in proximity to oil and gas extraction will become increasingly important.

10/19/2026

UC Berkeley researchers Dr. Ziad Obermeyer (UC Berkeley Public Health) and Emma Pierson (Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences) have been awarded $1.7 million in research funding through the Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Science.

Their project uses advanced AI to turn complex medical models into clear, easy-to-understand insights for cardiology and oncology. By making AI predictions practical for doctors to use, this work aims to speed up new medical discoveries and improve patient care.

Read more about their work: https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/articles/spotlight/faculty/berkeley-receives-funding-to-accelerate-scientific-breakthroughs-with-ai

More than 75 years of transformational research and hands-on social impact for a better world.

10/16/2026

UC Berkeley and Dr. Ziad Obermeyer have been named recipients of the Academic Discovery of the Year Award by California Life Sciences for their groundbreaking work in AI and medicine. Dr. Obermeyer’s research identified a deep learning–derived ECG biomarker that allows doctors to detect sudden cardiac death risk and intervene before fatal events occur. Congratulations to Dr. Obermeyer and the UC Berkeley team on this well-deserved recognition, which will be honored at the 23rd Annual Pantheon Awards on November 12!

https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/articles/spotlight/faculty/obermeyer-receives-academic-discovery-of-the-year-award

The award recognizes a California academic institution, research institute, or non-profit whose scientific finding has the potential to reshape human health.

10/15/2026

Are you interested in learning more about public health graduate degrees? Check out TIPH’s In-Person Grad School Fair on Monday, October 19, 2026 on the UC Berkeley campus!

This event, held from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Pauley Ballroom, will feature representatives our Online MPH and in-person program admissions teams to answer all your questions about attending UC Berkeley Public Health.

This in-person fair gives you the chance to chat directly with admission staff, students, and faculty from graduate schools and programs of public health.

Take one step further toward shaping the future of public health. Find out more:
https://f.mtr.cool/6qcpkfecs9

10/14/2026

For 20 years, the UC Berkeley Public Health Alumni Association has championed graduate student fellowships—and for the past 9 years, this incredible community has helped us exceed our crowdfunding goals! 💛💙

This year, we’re setting our sights on raising $14,000 to fund 7 fellowships ($2,000 each) for Berkeley Public Health students committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Last year, your generosity allowed us to fund 10 fellowships. With your help, we can exceed our $14,000 goal again and support even more deserving future leaders!

Diversity is vital to creating a public health workforce that truly serves all communities. Yet, the rising cost of higher education remains one of the largest hurdles for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Financial aid is often the deciding factor in whether a student can pursue their degree.

➡️ Donate before October 31 to make money one less obstacle: crowdfund.berkeley.edu/phaa26

10/13/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of UC Berkeley Public Health emeritus professor Dr. Steve Selvin, a legendary biostatistician who taught and inspired generations of students. Honoring his legacy, Dean Michael C. Lu shared, “Steve's influence is everywhere in our school.” His groundbreaking contributions to public health and dedication to making complex ideas engaging will be remembered forever.

Dr. Selvin was known as a gifted teacher who could explain biostatistical ideas to lay audiences and students with limited mathematics backgrounds.

10/12/2026

UC Berkeley School of Public Health is excited to welcome Dr. Leonardo "Leo" Martinez as a new Assistant Professor of Epidemiology! Dr. Martinez's global health research focuses on tuberculosis prevention, transmission, and long-term health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, people living with HIV, and incarcerated individuals.

We are thrilled to have him at Berkeley as he builds his research group, collaborates across disciplines, and mentors the next generation of public health leaders!

https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/articles/spotlight/faculty/meet-our-new-faculty-leo-martinez

Dr. Martinez’s research uses epidemiologic and quantitative methods to study tuberculosis prevention, transmission, and long-term health outcomes.

10/07/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Mahasin S. Mujahid, Professor and Chair of the Epidemiology Division at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health! 🎉 She has been honored with the 2026 Abraham Lilienfeld Distinguished Achievement Award, the highest accolade bestowed by the American College of Epidemiology. 🏅

The award honors her social epidemiology research integrating geospatial methods to examine structural drivers of health equity, alongside her leadership in the landmark RURAL study and mentorship of over 100 scholars.

https://f.mtr.cool/i1yaqm88pf

Mujahid was celebrated for her transformational contributions to the field of social epidemiology and received the award at the ACE annual meeting.