The Bower Buzz

Dean's welcome

Dean Thomas Dobbs highlights key milestones across the School of Population Health, from Research Day to the Asylum Hill Project, while underscoring the school’s growing impact on health outcomes across Mississippi.

Research Day showcases student and faculty scholarship

From data science to community health, SOPH Research Day brought together students and faculty to present work that is shaping policy, improving outcomes and addressing real-world health challenges.

Dr. John D. Carpten returns home for Population Health Lectureship

A Mississippi native and global leader in cancer genomics, Dr. John D. Carpten returned to SOPH to challenge students to pursue innovation, representation and impact in the future of precision medicine.

Students shine at Mississippi Academy of Sciences annual meeting

SOPH students earned multiple awards at the 2026 Mississippi Academy of Sciences meeting, highlighting research excellence, strong mentorship and growing impact in data-driven health solutions.

Faculty spotlight: Dr. Manju George – turning experience into impact

After her own cancer diagnosis, Dr. Manju George transformed her research focus to center patients and communities, advancing education, advocacy and cancer prevention efforts across Mississippi.

Student spotlight: Hunter Sylvester

After a personal loss shaped his path, Hunter Sylvester found purpose in biostatistics, gaining hands-on research experience and mentorship that prepared him for a career in data-driven health science.

Student research in action

SOPH students are leading research across disciplines, presenting at Grand Rounds, advancing policy discussions and earning recognition for their work across Mississippi and beyond.

Student life at SOPH

From wellness to outreach, School of Population Health students build connection, creativity and community.

Reaching the finish line: SOPH students complete dissertations

Three doctoral students tackle pressing issues in maternal health policy, Alzheimer’s disease modeling and environmental health, showcasing the real-world impact of SOPH research.

Dr. Jeannette Simino, second from left, the 2026 Regions Bank TEACH Prize honoree, is congratulated by, from left, Dr. Scott Rodgers, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; (Simino); Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine; and Regions Bank vice presidents Tamicalyn Foster and Regina Fowler.

With generous gesture, Simino shores up title as UMMC’s top teacher

Dr. Jeannette Simino – “Jeannette” to her students – the first representative of the Medical Center’s newest school to claim the institution’s highest teaching honor, is an unusual study in excellence and humility.

The long-term commitment of Dr. Caroline Compretta, assistant vice chancellor for research, to health equity, community partnerships and research has landed her in the top echelon of academic achievers.

Compretta earns 2026 SEC Faculty Achievement Award

A career defined by service, visionary leadership and measurable impact has placed Dr. Caroline Compretta, assistant vice chancellor for research, among the Southeastern Conference’s most distinguished academic leaders.

She is a recipient of the prestigious 2026 SEC Faculty Achievement Award, which recognizes faculty whose work leaves an enduring imprint on students, colleagues and institutions through excellence in teaching, research and service.

Compretta said the recognition is both humbling and deeply meaningful.

Recent academic production

Faculty and students continue to advance population health through national presentations, awards and publications addressing issues from maternal health to health equity and data science.

Honoring the past through science: the Asylum Hill Project

Researchers at the School of Population Health are uncovering thousands of unmarked graves on UMMC’s campus, combining science and history to restore identity, dignity and understanding to those long forgotten.

Speakers and seminars

Students at the John D. Bower School of Population Health gained valuable first-hand learning experiences through the Population Health Science Lecture Series, the Biostatistics and Data Science Seminar Series and other events that brought leading thinkers and practitioners to campus.

New hires and appointments

Recent faculty and leadership appointments reflect continued growth across the School of Population Health and its expanding role in research, education and clinical collaboration.