CHDS Seminar with Marissa Reitsma
Join the Center for Health Decision Science for a seminar with Marissa Reitsma from Stanford University, titled, “Integrated Interventions for Syndemics of Substance Use, HIV, and HCV.” Syndemics are interacting epidemics, driven by social and structural factors, which can concentrate excess disease burden among marginalized populations. Integrated interventions can more efficiently address syndemics, including the syndemic of substance use disorder, overdose, HIV, and hepatitis C virus among people who use drugs. We developed an agent-based model of this syndemic, parameterized with real-world data, to inform the design and delivery of integrated treatment and harm reduction interventions for people who use drugs.
Marissa Reitsma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy at Stanford University. Her research develops computational models to quantify disease burden, evaluate the benefits and costs of interventions, and support evidence-based policies across a range of priorities in population health. Ongoing work focuses on building multi-disease models to address syndemics and developing methods for multimodal data fusion. She is dedicated to partnering with clinicians and public health decision-makers to translate scholarly work into policy impact.
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21st Freeman-Seage Symposium on Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Join us for the 21st Freeman Seage Symposium on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 in honor of Professors Jonathan Freeman and George Seage who were leaders in the field of Infectious Disease Epidemiology.
Oral presentations will take place in FXB 301 from 1:30-4:30 pm followed by a poster reception in the FXB Atrium from 4:30-6:30 pm. Contact CCDD with any questions: ccdd@hsph.harvard.edu.
Jonathan Freeman (1939-2000)
Jonathan Freeman was a faculty member at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health from 1990 until May 2000. He was instrumental in creating and leading the Interdisciplinary Program in Infectious Disease Epidemiology (IPIDE). Freeman designed and taught courses on the investigation and transmission dynamics of infectious disease outbreaks, promoting an active interest in infectious disease epidemiology at a time when it was not widely popular. As a faculty member at Harvard Medical School, he practiced infectious disease medicine at Boston City Hospital (now Boston Medical Center), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the West Roxbury Veterans Affairs. Freeman was also an active member of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, where he taught a famously rigorous course on epidemiology principles for hospital epidemiologists. His research interests included hospital-acquired infections, tuberculosis, and malaria.
George R. Seage III (1957-2021)
George R. Seage III was a faculty member at Harvard Chan School of Public Health from 1999 until his passing in 2021. He was a valued member of the Department Epidemiology and a leader in the field of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) research. He played a key role in the earliest efforts to understand HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), bringing epidemiologic skills and expertise to the the field.
Seage was passionate about and dedicated to mentoring the next generation of infectious disease epidemiologists. He contributed to establishing program to mentor early career investigators in the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS). He was also the co-principal investigator of a T32 graduate training program in infectious disease epidemiology and biodefense and served as the director of the IPIDE.
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Harvard Alumni Launch Lab X Info Session
Learn about Launch Lab X, the Harvard Innovation Labs’ virtual alumni accelerator. Apply by May 12 to join the 2026–27 cohort.
Calling all Harvard alumni founders! Join Harvard’s global community of alumni entrepreneurs and innovators.
Launch Lab X is the Harvard Innovation Labs’ flagship global accelerator for alumni founders across all 13 Harvard schools, from any graduation year. Launch Lab X supports early-stage, for-profit and nonprofit ventures founded and led by Harvard alumni. Eligible ventures are typically pre-seed to seed stage and may operate in any sector and geography.
INCLUSIVE FOUNDER COMMUNITY
The Launch Lab X program is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive community of founders building ventures around the world. If you want to learn what it takes to create viable, disruptive, and adaptable ventures—and bring them to scale—apply to join our 2026–27 cohort. We can’t wait to hear about your venture!
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Applications for the 2026-27 cohort open on April 7. All applications are due by May 12, 2026, for consideration. Learn more and apply.
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
The Harvard Innovation Labs welcomes attendees of all abilities to our events, both in person and online.
Requests for American Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance, if possible. Please note that the University will make every effort to secure services, but that services are subject to availability.
If you would like to request accommodations, please contact i-lab@harvard.edu in advance of the event.
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Graduation Q&A Session #3
Graduating soon? Have questions about regalia, tickets, ceremonies, or celebrations? Join us where we’ll cover everything you need to know to prepare for the big day!
Whether you’re unsure about ordering your cap and gown, need clarification on event logistics, or just want to ensure a smooth graduation experience, we’re here to help!
Email convocation@hsph.harvard.edu with any questions!
Visit our website at hsph.harvard.edu/graduation
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Graduation Q&A Session #2
Graduating soon? Have questions about regalia, tickets, ceremonies, or celebrations? Join us where we’ll cover everything you need to know to prepare for the big day!
Whether you’re unsure about ordering your cap and gown, need clarification on event logistics, or just want to ensure a smooth graduation experience, we’re here to help!
Email convocation@hsph.harvard.edu with any questions!
Visit our website at hsph.harvard.edu/graduation
Organizers
Graduation Q&A Session #1
Graduating soon? Have questions about regalia, tickets, ceremonies, or celebrations? Join us where we’ll cover everything you need to know to prepare for the big day!
Whether you’re unsure about ordering your cap and gown, need clarification on event logistics, or just want to ensure a smooth graduation experience, we’re here to help!
Email convocation@hsph.harvard.edu with any questions!
Visit our website at hsph.harvard.edu/graduation
Organizers
Yerby Research Symposium & Reception
Join us for a vibrant showcase of pioneering research conducted by our Yerby Postdoctoral Fellows. This symposium is a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge studies and engage with the next generation of public health leaders who are addressing critical public health challenges. Come connect with fellow researchers, faculty, and students to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations that can shape the future of public health.
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Come as you are: Community Circle
For Immigrant & International Students, Staff, Faculty, and Allies. You are invited to a relaxed and welcoming lunch gathering for immigrant and international members of our community. This gathering is an opportunity to connect, share a meal, and be celebrated – just as you are. Hosted by Partnerships for Community Mental Health and Immigrant Well-Being at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in collaboration with the Chan Students’ Immigrant Health Forum.
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Commencement Ticket Pick-Up
Pick up your tickets for Harvard University Commencement on May 6-8th in Kresge G4 from 10am-4pm. Your tickets for Harvard Chan Convocation can be accessed via after completing your graduation form.
Pick up your class item on May 6-8th in Kresge G4 from 10am-4pm.
More information on Convocation
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From Discovery to Translation in Molecular Epidemiology: Unlocking the Potential of Large-Scale Biomarker Data for Cancer Prevention
Join us on Wednesday, April 29th for a joint seminar between the Department of Epidemiology and the Harvard Cancer Consortium featuring Dr. Ruth Travis discussing From Discovery to Translation in Molecular Epidemiology: Unlocking the Potential of Large-Scale Biomarker Data for Cancer Prevention.
Abstract: Advances in molecular epidemiology have transformed our ability to measure circulating biomarkers at scale, particularly through the application of high-throughput proteomic platforms in large prospective cohort studies. These developments have enabled the systematic identification of associations between molecular traits and cancer risk across populations. However, translating these discoveries into meaningful insights for prevention, risk stratification, and early detection remains a major challenge. This seminar will explore the opportunities and limitations of large-scale biomarker discovery, focusing on the integration of proteomic, genetic, and epidemiological data to strengthen causal inference and prioritise targets for intervention. It will also consider the methodological and structural barriers that currently limit translation, including issues of measurement, generalisability, and study design, and will discuss how interdisciplinary approaches and coordinated research infrastructure can help bridge the gap between association and action.
Bio: Ruth Travis is Professor of Epidemiology and Deputy Director of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit within the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford. She is internationally recognised for her research on the molecular and lifestyle determinants of chronic disease, with a particular focus on cancer. She leads a multidisciplinary research programme on the aetiology of prostate cancer funded by Cancer Research UK, alongside a pan-cancer programme integrating proteomic, genetic and epidemiological data across large-scale cohort studies such as EPIC and UK Biobank. She plays a leading role in major international consortia, including the PRACTICAL collaboration. Her work combines epidemiological and ‘omics approaches to advance understanding of cancer causation and inform cancer prevention, with a particular focus on translating large-scale molecular discovery into actionable insights for prevention. She is a member of the international ATLAS team, funded by Cancer Research UK through the Cancer Grand Challenges initiative, which brings together global expertise to uncover mechanisms of cancer avoidance and accelerate their translation into new approaches for prevention.