BSE Students Share Their Research on a National Stage at APHA 2025

Five students from the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology represented the Hudson College of Public Health at the 2025 American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting & Expo, held November 1–5 in Washington, D.C. Their presentations highlighted critical issues in nicotine marketing, chronic disease, and nutrition among vulnerable populations—topics that reflect the department’s deep commitment to advancing public health through rigorous, equity-focused research.

Student presenters included:

• Jon’E Mae Fulton (MPH) – Nicotine pouches: metropolitan vs. non-metropolitan retail environments (oral)
• Vivian Sanchez (MPH) – Nicotine pouches: advertising, promotion and flavor availability by area deprivation index (lightning session)
• Osariemen Omoregie (PhD) – Barriers to fruit and vegetable intake among SNAP recipients with diabetes in Oklahoma (poster)
• Sebika Dulal (MPH) – Chronic disease burden among food-insecure SNAP recipients: preliminary findings from the PROVIDE study (oral)
• Christy Culp (MPH) – Suboptimal fruit and vegetable intake and nutrition-related chronic diseases among SNAP households (oral)

The students’ work was supported by dedicated faculty mentors Dr. Mary Williams, Dr. Marianna Wetherill, and Dr. Laura Beebe, whose guidance helped prepare them for one of the discipline’s most prominent stages.

In addition to the BSE presenters, OU College of Medicine students Rohit Mital and Nicole Moore delivered a poster presentation titled “Nutrition incentives improve fruit and vegetable intake among SNAP households: preliminary analysis from the PROVIDE study,” under the mentorship of Drs. Williams and Wetherill.

This year’s APHA conference brought together more than 11,000 public health researchers, educators, and practitioners from around the world. Participation in this event provides students with invaluable experience disseminating their work, networking with national leaders in public health, and contributing to conversations shaping the future of the field.

The Hudson College of Public Health proudly congratulates these students for their outstanding achievements and for representing OU on a national platform. Their dedication to addressing health disparities and improving population health continues to strengthen our mission and impact.