Welcome to Buffalo HealthCast, the official podcast of the University at Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions 🎙️ In this episode of Buffalo HealthCast , podcast producer and MPH student Vennela Damarla speaks with Dr. Kelly Baker, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Climate Change and Health Equity at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Baker discusses the powerful role of diagnostic and surveillance tools in environmental health, especially in the context of diarr...
Jun 02, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Welcome to Buffalo HealthCast, the official podcast of the University at Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions 🎙️ In this episode of Buffalo HealthCast, Dr. Michael Shelly delves into the intricate relationship between environmental sustainability, economics, and public health. He explores how environmental policies and sustainable practices can influence economic systems while addressing pressing global health challenges. Dr. Shelly emphasizes the importance of balancing eco...
Apr 07, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Welcome to Buffalo HealthCast, the official podcast of the University at Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions 🎙️ In this episode of Buffalo HealthCast, Dr. Gauri Desai, an expert in environmental epidemiology, explores the impact of environmental toxins on children's health and development. She delves into how diet can both mitigate and sometimes contribute to toxic exposures, shedding light on the surprising role dietary components play in our well-being. With a focus on ch...
Feb 27, 2025•29 min
Welcome to Buffalo HealthCast, the official podcast of the University at Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions 🎙️ In this episode of Buffalo HealthCast , we sit down with Dr. Diana Aga, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Henry M. Woodburn Professor of Chemistry at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Aga, an internationally recognized environmental chemist, shares her groundbreaking research on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called "forever chemicals," and antimicr...
Jan 03, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Welcome to Buffalo HealthCast, the official podcast of the University at Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions 🎙️ In this insightful episode of Buffalo HealthCast, we sit down with Dr. Meng Wang, an environmental health scientist, to explore the hidden dangers lurking in the air we breathe and their impact on lung health. Dr. Wang reveals how baseline levels of pollutants like PM 2.5, ozone, nitrous oxide, and black carbon contribute to the progression of emphysema. As climat...
Nov 11, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Welcome to Buffalo HealthCast, the official podcast of the University at Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions! 🎙️ In this episode, we speak with Dr. Yohane Phiri, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, about his groundbreaking research on how environmental factors shape early childhood development. Dr. Phiri discusses the profound impact of chemical exposures, pollutants, and psychosocial stressors on pregnancy and prete...
Sep 23, 2024•51 min
In this episode of Buffalo HealthCast, we dive into the world of long COVID with two distinguished experts, Dr. Sanjay Sethi and Dr. Jennifer Abeles. Join us as we discuss the challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers and uncover the importance of research and studies being conducted at the University at Buffalo. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply interested in learning more about long Covid, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice. Tune...
Jul 18, 2024•33 min
Dr. Akua Gyamerah and Nada Fox discuss the importance of considering intersectionality in understanding health disparities. Dr. Gyamerah emphasized the need to examine how different social determinants intersect to produce unique health outcomes, while Nada Fox inquired about the challenges of studying these complex issues. Both speakers highlighted the importance of measuring intersectionality to better understand these interconnected factors. Later, they discussed the intersections of gender-b...
May 22, 2024•57 min
Three local athletes, Steve Spitz, Emily Keicher and Adam Page return. Emily is accompanied by her parents Chris and Liz. Adam is accompanied by his father, Norm. We discuss family and sports. The topics range from parents (Steve, Chris, Liz and Norm) supporting and coaching their children in sports, camaraderie with other parents through adaptive sports, and sports/recreation that they enjoy as a family. Athletes and parents emphasize the benefits that adaptive/inclusive sports have had for the...
Apr 04, 2024•27 min
Four Western New York athletes, Steve Spitz, Emily Keicher, Kate Hahn and Adam Page, discuss their pathway to adaptive/inclusive sports, the multiple sports they enjoy and what keeps them in adaptive sports. Host: Jeanne Langan, Department of Rehabilitation Science, UB. The Adaptive Sports and Recreation in WNY podcast was created to share experiences and expertise of athletes, their families and community organizations on adaptive sports and recreation in WNY. Episodes will highlight different ...
Apr 04, 2024•26 min
Four local athletes, Steve Spitz, Emily Keicher, Kate Hahn and Adam Page return to discuss adaptive equipment in adaptive/inclusive sports. The discussion includes progression of sports equipment and accessing equipment. The discussion flows into related topics of travel for sporting events and accessibility of hotels as well as fitting equipment to preserve skin integrity. Host: Jeanne Langan, Department of Rehabilitation Science, UB. The Adaptive Sports and Recreation in WNY podcast was create...
Apr 04, 2024•29 min
In honor of National Public Health Week, Buffalo HealthCast proudly presents a special episode focused on the vital role of civic engagement in promoting community health and well-being. Join us as we sit down with Rachel DiDomizio, a passionate advocate and community organizer, from University at Buffalo, to explore the power of grassroots activism and civic participation and how to get involved. Follow us! Official Webpage Buzzsprout Spotify Apple Podcasts Youtube Instagram Facebook Twitter...
Mar 28, 2024•11 min
In this episode we sit down with Mark Bonacci, PhD, to explore the essential role of CASACs (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors) in addressing substance use disorder. We delve into the nuanced aspects of treatment, counseling methodologies, and the impact CASACs make in our community. Mark Bonacci's insights highlight the imperative of addressing substance use disorder as a public health crisis that demands our collective attention and empathy. Follow us! Official Webpage Buz...
Mar 25, 2024•45 min
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Elizabeth Bowen, PhD, an expert in addiction recovery and recovery capital. Listen as we discuss the invisible population of persons experiencing homelessness and the unique issues this community faces, trauma informed care, and the need for supportive housing. Elizabeth Bowen PhD is a community-based urban researcher and educator, Associate Professor Elizabeth Bowen joined the School of Social Work in 2014. Bowen’s research centers on the health and...
Feb 20, 2024•33 min
Join us as Ebehitale Imobhio interviews the brilliant Vanessa Guzman, founder of SmartRise Health. Learn about maternal health care, barriers to postpartum care, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ people as they navigate parenthood and motherhood. Award-winning healthcare leader and author Vanessa Guzman MS, ME founded SmartRise Health to help healthcare organizations assess complex operational problems and devise strategic, quality improvement, and training initiatives to optimize outcomes and satis...
Jan 11, 2024•46 min
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jessica Braymiller Knapp, PhD, an expert in prevention science and a dedicated tobacco researcher. Dive into the core of addiction, prevention science, and more. Jessica L. Braymiller (she/her) is a clinical assistant professor and public health researcher focused on understanding nicotine and cannabis use among adolescents and young adults. Her current work centers on e-cigarette use/vaping and associated health outcomes, other emerging modes of tob...
Dec 07, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode, guests Dr. Jessica Kruger and Dr. Nicholas Felicione, discuss the complex topic of cannabis use harm reduction. They explore the challenges and complexities of harm reduction in the evolving landscape of cannabis legalization, highlighting the need for more research and evidence-based strategies to educate consumers and reduce potential risks associated with cannabis use. The conversation touches on various aspects of cannabis, from product testing and labeling to the possible s...
Nov 02, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Cheryll Moore has extensive grant administration and project management experience with the Erie County, New York, Department of Health and has directly administered and implemented numerous grant projects over the past 20 years. She has been a leader in addressing the opioid epidemic in Erie County, providing naloxone trainings to first responders and community members and integrating data to focus her efforts. She also manages the nationally recognized community-engaged intervention known as t...
Sep 07, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Join Sarah Robinson as she interviews Dr. Sarah LaPointe and Dr. Michael Merrill about type 2 diabetes, health equity, and more. We discuss the importance of bridging the gap in diabetes care, making interventions inclusive for all communities. Our expert guests share valuable insights on empowering the health care system and promoting health equity in diabetes management. Dr. Sarah LaPointe is a Researcher at Brook Health and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at E...
Aug 03, 2023•33 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Join UB graduate students Lianne Novak (public health) and Logan (international development and global health) as they interview Dr. Marion Werner, and local farmer Patrick Lango about intensive agricultural practices and the effects on human health. Dr. Marion Werner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at the University at Buffalo, SUNY. Her research is located at the nexus of critical development studies, feminist theory, and political economy with a focus on Latin America...
Jul 06, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Happy Pride Month! Join Miranda Bosse, MPH, MSW as she interviews CEO and Founder of Professionally Proud, and recent medical school graduate Dr. Grant Parrelli, MD. The main inspiration for Professionally Proud and its products are rooted in patient advocacy and Dr. Parrelli's personal experience as a patient, client and working professional in the healthcare setting. There is a lack of explicit acknowledgement of support or belonging that can be addressed through visual aids. While some alread...
Jun 01, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Join UB graduate students Elisabeth Stowell and Veronika Semenova as they speak to local experts, Alex Judelsohn and Dao Kamara about food sovereignty and the health of refugees in the Buffalo community. Alexandra Judelsohn is a PhD candidate in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan and will start as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Buffalo in Fall 2023. Her scholarship explores the role of local governments in the U...
May 04, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 7
It's National Public Health Week, and this month's episode features seven amazing guest speakers who talk about the daily themes of this year's NPHW. The overarching theme for NPHW this year is Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health. Keep reading to learn more about the UB students, faculty, and community members that made this episode so engaging. Themes: Community - Annamarie Malik Anna is a current Master of Public Health student, studying in the Department of Community Health and Healt...
Apr 06, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Join UB master's degree students Nicholas Levano (public health), Danielle Nerber (public health and medicine), and Nikitha Cothari (biomedical informatics) as they interview epidemiologist and global health researcher Dr. Nadia Koyratty, PhD, MS about food and water insecurity in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Dr. Koyratty is a University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions alumna, receiving her PhD in Epidemiology and Environmental Health in 2021. She has over ...
Mar 02, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Join Master of Public Health students, Sarah Robinson and Leah Bargnesi, as they interview Dr. Prathima Nalam, Dr. Anna Paltseva, and Jeanette Koncikowski on their joint project tackling lead contamination in urban soil. These three experts are working together to use natural resources like mycelium, the root-like structure of a fungus, to absorb lead contamination and make urban gardening and farming safe in the Buffalo community. Dr. Prathima Nalam, PhD , is an Assistant Professor in the Depar...
Feb 02, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 5
After becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Katie Brown worked in both hospital and nursing home settings providing medical nutrition therapy for several years, where she gained experience working with patients with mental illness and prior psychiatric hospitalizations. Throughout her career and personal experience, Katie has found that healthcare can be very uncomfortable and alienating for people, especially those who are mentally and/or physically disabled. Katie works to mitigate the...
Jan 05, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Maria Aguero de Manunta is a local dietitian from Paraguay who previously worked for Neighborhood Health Center in Buffalo, New York. As a Spanish-speaking dietitian, she is making significant progress in reaching our predominantly Spanish-speaking population in Buffalo related to nutrition care, specifically diabetes, weight management and heart disease. Maria is currently serving as the Clinical Director for University at Buffalo's Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Resources: Mari...
Dec 01, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Jacob Bleasdale, MS is a fourth-year Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo. His program of research seeks to understand the multi-level determinants of HIV prevention and treatment among communities most impacted by the HIV epidemic. Specifically, his dissertation work explores the complex relationships between food insecurity and engagement in the HIV care continuum. Read Jake's m...
Nov 03, 2022•26 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Last spring, our cohost, Dr. Tia Palermo, had the opportunity to travel to Tanzania and speak with Jennifer Matafu of UNICEF about a social protection intervention aimed to improve children's nutrition. In this episode, we dive deep into the value of programs such as UNICEF's Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) and learn why models such as these could be critical in eradicating poverty. Jennifer Matafu has extensive experience working in the social-economic development sector. At UNICEF Tanzania...
Oct 06, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 1
The winning team for the Office of Global Health Initiatives Climate-Health Innovation Sprint (Dr. Saad Alasil, Tiffany Mai, Kayla Giglia) interviews Derek Nichols about the connection between climate change and health. Derek Nichols is the Associate Director of Sustainability at the University at Buffalo where he works to change the culture and operations of campus to become better for the people and environment of our region. He is also an adjunct professor in the School of Architecture and Ur...
Jun 16, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 17
