For people living with HIV (PLWH) in Africa, hypertension (HTN) is the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, despite increased access to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), PLWH in Africa have limited access to high-quality care for cardiovascular diseases such as strokes, heart failure, and kidney diseases.
John Sumkai Atiiga, a University of Washington Department of Global Health MPH alumnus, has been awarded the Graduate School’s 2025 Distinguished Thesis Award (Biology & Life Sciences) for his thesis, “Oral Inflammation and Systemic Immune Activation Among Children Living with HIV in Kenya”. This award competition is held by the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS), and recognizes achievement at the master’s level in multiple STEM disciplines.
The transition to fall signals one of our favorite times of year – the arrival of new students! The Department of Global Health (DGH) is honored to welcome 38 new students to the global health husky pack. Of the 38 students, three are joining the Pathobiology PhD program, four are beginning their studies in the PhD in Global Health Metrics and Implementation Science program, three have started the Doctor of Global Health Leadership and Practice program, and 28 are entering the Master of Global Health program.
Drs. Anjuli Wagner (Associate Professor, UW Global Health) and John Kinuthia (Affiliate Associate Professor, UW Global Health; Obstetrician Gynecologist, Kenyatta National Hospital) have received a National Institutes of Health award to fund their study, “Mechanisms of Action for mobile SMS PrEP adherence intervention (mWACH PrEP Mechanisms),” which aims to understand how digital health technologies work to support women to adhere to PrEP, a daily oral pill to prevent HIV.
The dedication and innovation from our students in public health practice and research are part of what makes our department great. This summer we recognize several students in our department who have been selected for awards at the University of Washington. We would like to celebrate two of our students – Brekken Selah and Tessa Concepcion – for receiving School of Public health (SPH) Excellence Awards, and congratulate Grace Umutesi on the Runner Up and People’s Choice Awards for the 2025 UW Three Minute Thesis Competition. Congratulations!
Graduation Photo Gallery | Graduation Recording | Digital Graduation Program
On Friday, June 13, the University of Washington’s Department of Global Health (DGH) proudly celebrated the graduation of 58 students from over 15 countries.
These 58 graduates represented three doctoral and one master’s program:
In the Department of Global Health faculty are dedicated to improving health for all through their research, teaching, and service to the university and our partners around the world. In recognition of their exemplary work at the University of Washington and beyond, two Department of Global Health faculty members, Drs. Kenneth Mugwanya, associate professor, and Julianne Meisner, assistant professor, have been awarded endowed appointments which will support them in advancing innovative teaching, research, and community engagement in DGH and beyond.
Associate Professor of the UW Global Health Department, Jason Daniel-Ulloa, earns the 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award, the UW’s highest teaching honor, among several other star faculty.
Every year, we take the time to recognize outstanding staff for their dedication and many contributions to our department. Criteria for selecting outstanding staff included superior service, resourcefulness, innovation, creativity, excellence, integrity, and a commitment to creating and sustaining a climate of equity, justice, and anti-racism. Congratulations to all nominees!
Lisa Nonzee
Senior HR Manager
Kevin Jiang, a recent Ph.D. graduate in Bioengineering, took First Place at this year’s University of Washington’s Three Minute Thesis (UW 3MT) Competition. Grace Umutesi, a Ph.D. student in Global Health Metrics & Implementation Science, was named Runner-Up and earned the People’s Choice Award.