School of Public Health

A celebration of nearly 4,500 West Virginia University graduates begins next week with the inaugural GradFest and culminates in commencement ceremonies planned May 13-15.

Nearly 12 years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists are still examining the potential health effects on workers and volunteers who experienced oil-related exposures. To help shape future prevention efforts, one West Virginia University researcher has developed novel statistical methods for assessing airborne exposure.

Fueled by a desire to reduce the burden of disease and illness for the citizens of West Virginia, four West Virginia University Health Sciences academic programs have integrated nationally-recognized Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist training into their curricula.

Harnessing creativity and determination while classrooms and extracurricular activities were upended by the pandemic, the newest cohort of Bucklew Scholars has forged new paths to begin a journey at West Virginia University focused on discovery and finding creative solutions to the issues that have commanded the attention of its generation.

Women leaders at West Virginia University don’t just celebrate history, they create it by breaking barriers and making a seat at the table for women in leadership roles. A decade after its inception, the Women’s Leadership Initiative continues to be a unique, necessary and enriching program at WVU.

West Virginia University researchers Brian Hendricks and Brad Price are using machine learning and geographic information systems to identify communities in West Virginia where COVID-vaccine uptake is especially low. What the technology reveals can help get testing resources to the people who need them the most: those who live where low vaccination rates make persistent, localized outbreaks likely.

Undergraduate researchers from West Virginia University showcased their work at the State Capitol in Charleston Friday (Feb. 18), giving lawmakers a glimpse of the work they do in disease-carrying insects, the weather’s effect on renewable energy resources and the economic potential of petunias—just a few of the topics addressed by 49 presenters from WVU’s Morgantown and Beckley campuses.

As infection and hospitalization rates from COVID-19 decrease, West Virginia University will lift mask requirements for individuals in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, effective immediately. However, the University will continue to require masks in all classrooms, labs or any WVU System facility or building being used as a classroom.

West Virginia leads the nation in overdose deaths, but distinguishing intentional overdoses from accidental ones is far from straightforward.

With the continued spread of the omicron variant and increased hospitalization rates in the state and region, West Virginia University is providing additional guidance on campus health and safety protocols including masking, testing, vaccines and isolation.