Department Seminar SERIES

The Department sponsors a biweekly seminar series during the academic year on topics of epidemiologic and biostatistical interests. Speakers include Michigan State University faculty, Michigan Department of Community Health public health professionals or invited guests from around the nation or, occasionally, overseas.

The seminar is open to all members of the MSU and public health community, and unless otherwise noted, takes place in person, Zoom (or both) at 3:00 p.m. Most seminars are recorded and available for viewing.

• The Patenge Room, C102, is located in the C wing of East Fee Hall. 
• Zoom seminars links will be provided when necessary

Miss a Seminar or would like to revisit one?

Most seminars are recorded and available for viewing by clicking on the SEMINAR ARCHIVES link located on the upper right side of this page.

Fall 2025 Seminars 

GLP-1 receptor agonists have changed how we treat obesity and diabetes, mostly by reducing appetite. But as more people use these medications long-term, fascinating questions are emerging. In this talk, Dr. Dhurandhar will explore emerging research on how GLP-1 RAs affect eating behavior, food-related thoughts, and nutrition. One area of interest Dr. Dhurandhar focuses on is food noise, or the constant mental chatter about food, which seems to quiet down for many GLP-1 users. What does that mean for how we understand hunger, motivation, and the experience of eating? We’ll also look at how appetite changes might influence what people eat, and how much, and how this could affect muscle, energy, and overall nutrition over time. This session invites curiosity about how to support people using GLP-1s in ways that are thoughtful, personalized, and grounded in scientific evidence.

Chronic conditions and their treatments can affect the reproductive health of people assigned female sex at birth, but many questions remain unanswered. This talk will focus on cancer survivors, people with lupus, and people with sickle cell disease. While cancer treatments have improved survival, they may cause amenorrhea, infertility, or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Lupus disproportionately affects women, especially Black women, during their reproductive years, yet there has been limited research on reproductive health in this population. Cyclophosphamide, a chemotherapy agent used to treat both cancer and lupus, is of particular concern because of its potential toxic effects on the ovaries. Sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that also disproportionately affects people with African ancestry in the United States, was historically associated with early mortality. However, advances in treatment have improved survival, making reproductive health an increasingly relevant concern in this population—yet there are substantial gaps in research to support clinical guidance. Understanding the reproductive health needs of people with chronic conditions can lead to more tailored care.