Purdue Health and Human Sciences researcher earns American Public Health Association recognition

Natalia M. Rodriguez, associate professor in the Purdue University Department of Public Health, received the 2025 American Public Health Association Ayman El-Mohandes Young Professional Public Health Innovation Award at the association’s annual meeting and expo. Rodriguez’s years of successful development and implementation of innovative health technologies, such as rapid diagnostic tests and patient self-sampling tools, to reduce cancer disparities among underserved populations helped her earn the honor.(Photo provided)

Written by: Tim Brouk, tbrouk@purdue.edu

Natalia M. Rodriguez, associate professor in the Purdue University Department of Public Health, received the 2025 American Public Health Association (APHA) Ayman El-Mohandes Young Professional Public Health Innovation Award for her years of successful development and implementation of innovative health technologies, such as rapid diagnostic tests and patient self-sampling tools, to reduce cancer disparities among underserved populations. 

The annual award is granted to a public health professional age 40 or younger who demonstrates excellence in “leadership and innovation.” The award was endowed by Ayman El-Mohandes, a former APHA executive board member, who envisioned an annual prize to recognize a young public health professional who is making a significant, innovative contribution to the public health field.

“My research bridges biomedical engineering and public health — using community-engaged and human-centered design methods to ensure that new technologies are not only effective but also accessible, acceptable and equitable,” Rodriguez stated.

Rodriguez was presented the award at APHA’s annual meeting and expo Nov. 3 in Washington, D.C.

The APHA award committee cited Rodriguez’s passion for engaging with “hard-to-reach” populations, from those experiencing homelessness in Lafayette to underserved Hispanic immigrant communities, as a leading factor for the award.

“Her contributions include implementing SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing in a homeless shelter, as well as securing a prestigious NIH grant to address cervical cancer disparities in the same population through HPV self-sampling and rapid testing,” the committee wrote.

Rodriguez said the El-Mohandes Young Professional Award is significant for her career so far.

“To have my interdisciplinary work recognized as innovative and impactful to the field makes this honor feel extra special,” she added. “The award includes an honorarium and national recognition at the APHA Annual Meeting, which offers an incredible opportunity to connect with other innovators committed to advancing public health and health equity.”

Rodriguez also presented her recent work “on community-engaged approaches to implementing cervical cancer screening innovations in underserved settings” at the APHA annual meeting.

Randy Hubach, head of the Purdue Department of Public Health, said the El-Mohandes Young Professional Public Health Innovation Award is huge for a young researcher, and Rodriguez is a worthy choice for the recognition.

“Receiving a young career award from a professional organization like the American Public Health Association is more than recognition — it’s a powerful affirmation of potential, dedication and the promise of future impact in one’s field,” he explained. “Dr. Rodriguez exemplifies the land-grant mission of Purdue and values of the College of Health and Human Sciences. She has leveraged her biomedical engineering skills to advance health equity by focusing on the development and implementation of rapid diagnostic tests to address pressing health issues, such as cervical cancer, in our communities. The work of her and her team will not only save lives but will improve the quality of life for many people.”

The honor will also give Rodriguez’s work even more momentum as she continues to develop novel cervical cancer screening tools.

“We’re advancing a point-of-care diagnostic platform for HPV detection and exploring how human-centered design approaches can guide equitable adoption of emerging health technologies both in the U.S. and globally,” Rodriguez said.