News Briefs

Accreditation Input Sought

The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston is being formally evaluated for re-accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Written third-party comments will be accepted from individuals by CEPH from now until 30 days prior to the onsite visit, which is scheduled for Oct. 5-7. Letters may be addressed to: Council on Education for Public Health, c/o Louisa Reynolds, 800 Eye Street, NW, Suite 202,Washington, DC 20001-3710.

Dental Student Heads National Student Research Group

Julia Javarone, the first D.D.S./Ph.D. trainee at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, has been elected president of the National Student Research Group, which operates under the umbrella of the American Association of Dental Research.

The research group attracts traditional dental students, predoctoral and post-doctoral fellows as well as D.D.S./Ph.D. trainees across the U.S. engaged in dental, oral and craniofacial research. The organization facilitates communication and career development among trainees nationwide and offers many forums for scientific exchange at local and national meetings.

“Julie is supported by UT-TORCH, a training grant awarded to the UT Health Science Center in 2003. Her leadership skills and commitment towards excellence bode well for her success in this office,” said her mentor Rena D’Souza, D.D.S., Ph.D., professor and director of research in the Department of Orthodontics at the UT Dental Branch at Houston.

ORISE Fellow

Jennifer Wood, a May 2004 graduate of The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, has been chosen by the Food and Drug Administration to be an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) post-doctoral fellow.

Managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities, ORISE is a U.S. Department of Energy facility that administers one- and two-year research participation, fellowship, scholarship, and internship programs. These programs focus on “scientific initiatives to research health risks from occupational hazards, assess environmental cleanup, respond to radiation medical emergencies, support national security and emergency preparedness, and educate the next generation of scientists.”

As a member of the epidemiology division,Wood researches and evaluates currently approved biologics.