The Baylor University Department of Public Health was strongly represented at the 2025 American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. This year, our community delivered more than 15 presentations, including oral presentations, posters, and roundtable discussions—reflecting the breadth and depth of public health research taking place at Baylor.
Celebrating This Year’s Outstanding Student Award
Baylor Public Health continues its strong tradition of student excellence at APHA, with PhD student Damilola Adekunle, MPH earning an Outstanding Student Oral Presentation Award at the 2025 Annual Meeting.
She is the 7th Baylor Public Health student to receive an Outstanding Student Abstract or Oral Presentation award—and this achievement marks the third year in a row that a Baylor MPH or PhD student has been recognized at APHA. This year’s honor highlights both Damilola’s exceptional scholarship and the department’s continued commitment to preparing research-driven public health professionals.
2025 APHA Presentations by Baylor Public Health
Below is a summary of Baylor’s presentations by day, demonstrating the diverse research topics and expertise represented by our faculty, students, and alumni.
Sunday, November 2
- Sophia Garza (MPH Alum) – Oral Presentation
“Stressors and suicidality: Examining social determinants of health among transgender and gender expansive undergraduate students“ - Jaime Atadero (MPH Alum) – Oral Presentation
“Examining the association between depression and food insecurity among a nationally representative sample of post-secondary education students” - Raphael Abayateye (PhD Student) – Roundtable
“A Socio-Ecological Analysis of Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Southern U.S. Communities (2010–2020)” - Katie Janda-Thomte (Faculty) – Oral, Co-Author
“Assessing the effectiveness of Double Up Food Bucks in enhancing food access and nutrition in Texas”
Monday, November 3
- Beth Lanning (Faculty) – Oral Presentation
“Trend analysis of child growth patterns in a sample population from Rwanda” - Damilola Adekunle (PhD Student) – Oral Presentation
“Exploring the impact of adverse childhood experiences on cyberbullying: examining victimization vs. perpetration” - Matt Asare (Faculty) – Poster Presentation
“Exploring Perceptions of HPV Self-Sampling for Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Living with HIV and Other Stakeholders in Ghana: A Focus Group Study Guided by the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model” - Sophia Garza (MPH Alum) – Poster, Co-Author
“Formation of a Community Health Ambassador Council for a Culturally Tailored Diabetes Prevention Program: Lessons from South Asian Communities”
Tuesday, November 4
- Tanvir Ahmed (PhD Student) – Poster Presentation
“Metabolic health and renal function: Findings from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. - Vivian Sanchez (BSPH Alum) – Oral Presentation
“Nicotine pouches: advertising, promotion, and flavor availability by area deprivation index” - Michelle Asiedu-Danso (PhD Student) – Roundtable
“Sociodemographic Determinants of Cost-Related Medication Non-Adherence: Insights from the National Health Interview Survey (2021–2023)” - Jaimala Kishore (MPH Alum / PhD Student) – Oral Presentation
“Racial/ethnic discrepancies in self-reported height, weight and body mass index: findings from NHANES 2021-2023” - Catherine Kaliszewski (PhD Student) – Oral Presentation
“Types and levels of social support through the lens of the Socioecological Model provided through breastfeeding programs in the U.S.: A scoping review” - Matt Asare (Faculty) – Oral Presentation
“Cultural Adaptation and Evaluation of Communication-Based Intervention Promoting HPV Self-sampling for Cervical Cancer Prevention Among Women Living with HIV in Ghana” - Vivian Sanchez (BSPH Alum) – Oral, Co-Author
“Nicotine pouches: metropolitan vs. non-metropolitan retail environments”
Celebrating a Growing Culture of Research Excellence
This year’s APHA meeting really showcased the energy and momentum within Baylor Public Health. Our community showed up with meaningful research on everything from global health and chronic disease to behavioral health and health equity—and it was inspiring to see students, alumni, and faculty contributing side by side.
The continued recognition of our students, paired with the wide range of presentations from alumni and faculty, reflects a department that’s truly thriving. It’s clear that Baylor’s public health community is doing work that matters, and we’re excited to keep building on that momentum. Here’s to more collaboration, more discovery, and even more Baylor voices shaping the future of public health.