Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences

10/23/2026

Make plans to stop by the annual HHS Fall Research Day on Tuesday, Oct. 27. At this event, the college showcases ongoing research and celebrates the Human Science Impact Paper awardees for 2025-26.
📆 Tuesday, Oct. 27
⏰ 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
📍 Stewart Center, Room 214

Learn more about Fall Research Day: https://hhs.purdue.edu/hhs-events/hhs-fall-research-day/

10/22/2026

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're highlighting Purdue University Department of Human Development and Family Science alumna Tricia Rausch, breast cancer survivor and founder of Tricia's Hope, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by cancer.

Rausch was awarded the 2026 College of Health and Human Sciences Distinguished Service Award. Read more of her story: https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/news/2026/03/2026-alumni-awards/

10/22/2026

When it comes to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” and heavy metal pollution, some communities face much higher exposure risks than others. College of Health and Human Sciences and fellow Purdue researchers are partnering directly with local groups in Northwest Indiana to test soil and track biomarkers. In 2009, the area was designated a Superfund site that is severely polluted and was added to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List.

Purdue Agriculture

The West Calumet Housing Complex was built in East Chicago in Northwest Indiana in the early 1970s, on the site of former plants that smelted, refined and salvaged lead. Even then, officials were unsure if the land previously zoned for heavy industry could be safe for residential housing. Research i...

10/21/2026

For years, Laura Murray-Kolb, professor and head of Purdue Nutrition Science, has made strides in understanding iron deficiency in children and women of reproductive age — two groups that are statistically more susceptible to iron deficiencies according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

“I’ve always been drawn to the biggest problems,” Murray-Kolb said. “When it comes to nutrients, iron deficiency is the number one micronutrient deficiency in the world."

The goal of Murray-Kolb’s work is not only shaping scientific understanding of iron deficiency but also clinical applications and policies surrounding it.

For years, Laura Murray-Kolb, professor and head of Nutrition Science in the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences, has made strides in understanding iron deficiency in children and women of reproductive age — two groups that are statistically more susceptible to iron deficiencies...

10/21/2026

Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, distinguished professor in the Purdue University Department of Human Development and Family Science and director of the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University, will participate in a roundtable today hosted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to discuss the National Veterans Strategy Act.

The proposed legislation would establish a comprehensive national strategy to better align resources and policies to improve well-being for veterans and their families. The roundtable will explore how to define and measure veteran success, implement the strategy, and address potential unintended outcomes.

Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, professor and director of Purdue’s Military Family Research Institute, will participate in an Oct. 21 roundtable hosted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

10/20/2026

Check out this cool tech our researchers are using in the Purdue University Department of Health and Kinesiology (HK). Jacob Pontorno, a PhD student in HK, uses a COSMED metabolic cart for research projects analyzing maximal exercise performance. By measuring the oxygen a participant consumes and the carbon dioxide they produce through a facemask, the system quantifies energy expendenditure and estimates which fuel sources the body is using.

10/20/2026

🕵️‍♀️ We're continuing our series busting some common health-related myths.
𝗠𝗬𝗧𝗛: 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.
Lauren Ema, clinical assistant professor in the Purdue School of Nursing, busts this myth for us. She says, "While food intolerance is usually a problem with the digestive system breaking down a food, a food allergy is caused by an overreaction by the immune system and can affect the whole body. The time frame from food exposure to an allergic reaction depends on which components of the immune system are activated."

10/19/2026

Carly (Francis) Clevenger, a 2016 School of Health Sciences at Purdue University alumna and Boone Grove, Indiana, native, uses her education and experience to treat patients in her own clinic, Dizzy-Free PT, in Fishers, Indiana.

As the name suggests, Dizzy Free PT concentrates on clients’ dizziness, vertigo and imbalance, including symptoms related to vestibular migraine, visual motion sensitivity and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a common inner ear disorder that causes sudden episodes of a spinning sensation when the position of the head is changed. Clevenger’s mission is to help clients feel steady and get their lives back.

Purdue Alumni

Dizzy Free PT concentrates on clients’ dizziness, vertigo and imbalance, including symptoms related to vestibular migraine, visual motion sensitivity and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a common inner ear disorder that causes sudden episodes of a spinning sensation when the position of the h...

10/19/2026

📣 It's almost time for Homecoming 2026! Make plans now to stop by the HHS homecoming tent to enjoy a meal, browse HHS Student Council silent auction items and place a bid to benefit the Mary Louise Foster Student Scholarship, one of the few student-sponsored scholarships on campus.
📆 Saturday, Nov. 7
⏰ Time TBD (2.5 hours before kickoff until 30 minutes before kickoff)
📍 Stadium Mall, near Johnson Hall of Nursing
➡️ Please register for our homecoming events by Friday, Oct. 30: https://bit.ly/4ySHgH7

The complimentary meal is sponsored by the HHS Alumni Board.

10/18/2026

The Purdue University Department of Health and Kinesiology (HK) is offering members of the Greater Lafayette community, including Purdue students, free health and wellness coaching through an HK student-led service-learning course.

Consultations begin the week of October 26. Space is limited, so complete the interest form today: https://bit.ly/4ezzlpL

✅ Six weeks of 1-on-1 coaching covering physical activity, nutrition, stress, sleep and overall lifestyle goals.
✅ Flexible formats: meet in person or virtually via Zoom.
✅ Baseline health assessment included — tracks starting metrics such as blood pressure, body composition and fitness markers using professional-grade equipment.