April symposium to explore technology's role in public health

An April symposium organized by the Public Health and Chronic Disease Cluster Faculty and sponsored by the Public Health Graduate Program and Office of the Provost will focus on how technology is advancing public health.

The presentation covering public health and mobile technology, electronic media, epigenetics and big data will be 8 a.m. to noon April 5 in Stewart Center, Room 302. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by April 1. Register online here.

Speakers will be:

* Jose Bauermeister, University of Michigan associate professor of health behavior and health education, with a presentation titled "Integrating Virtual and Social Realities: Technology for HIV/STI Prevention Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men."

* Michael Beets, University of South Carolina associate professor in the Department of Exercise Science, speaking on using mobile technology to deploy technical assistance for healthy eating and physical activity in after-school programs.

* James Fleet, Purdue University distinguished professor in the Department of Nutrition Science, presenting on "Biological Big Data Science: A Foundation for Discovery at Purdue."

* Kimberly Hieftje, Yale University associate research scientist in medicine, presenting on "Health Promotion and Behavior Change Through the Use of Electronic Media."

* Michael Skinner, Washington State University professor of reproduction/environmental epigenetics, presenting on "The Impact of Epigenetics on Environmental Health."

There also will be a student and faculty poster session highlighting public health research at Purdue. Abstracts for the session are due by March 11.

Complimentary continental breakfast and mid-morning snacks will be provided. Check-in and breakfast are 7:30 to 8 a.m.

The graduate program is housed in the College of Health and Human Sciences. For more information, contact Shauna Stapleton at 765-496-0493 or sstaplet@purdue.edu.