SPH Dean's Awards 2025
The School of Public Health is delighted to announce several school wide awards beginning this academic year of 2024-2025. These awards are an effort to recognize all of the great achievements of our faculty, staff, and students for their work at the school, in the community settings of Memphis, and beyond. These awards will be offered every year and will be a moment of celebration for all!
University of Memphis School of Public Health Celebrates 2nd SPH Dean’s Awards
On May 9, 2025, the University of Memphis School of Public Health (SPH) hosted its 2nd SPH Dean’s Awards ceremony, honoring the outstanding contributions of faculty, staff, and students during the 2024–2025 academic year. Thirteen individuals were recognized for their exceptional achievements in Community Engagement, Commitment, Research, and Leadership.
Dean Ashish Joshi highlighted the significant impact SPH is making both locally and globally. He emphasized the school's dedication to building strategic alliances with Memphis community stakeholders, which has strengthened its presence and influence in the area.
Additionally, Dean Joshi noted the global reach of SPH’s Public Health Clubs in high schools, a pioneering initiative aimed at inspiring and preparing the next generation of public health leaders.
“The Dean’s SPH Awards serve as an opportunity to reflect on the phenomenal work our faculty, staff, and students are doing to advance the field of public health,” said Dean Ashish Joshi, Dean and Distinguished University Professor.
Photo Gallery
2nd SPH Dean's Awards Ceremony
Awards Timeline
Dean’s SPH Faculty Awards
Dean’s Award for Faculty Research
Dr. Matt Smeltzer, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental
Health
Dean’s Award for Faculty Teaching
Dr. Xinhua Yu, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental
Health
Dean’s Award for Faculty Community Engagement
Dr. Lori Ward, Undergraduate Program Coordinator
Awards for Staff Excellence
Dean’s Award for Staff Leadership
Jamecia Richardson, Coordinator, Experiential Learning and Career Services
Dean’s SPH Award for Doctoral Students
Dean’s Award for Graduate Student Merit, Research
Namuun Batbaatar, PhD, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health
Dean’s Award for Dissertation
Kelly Pimenta, PhD, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health
Dean’s Award for Graduate Student Merit, Community Service
Rameshwari Prasad, PhD, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Dean’s Award for Graduate Student Merit, Commitment
Hannah Badley, PhD, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Dean’s SPH Award for Undergraduate Students
Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Student Merit, Community Service
Jeanbaptist Nizeyimana
Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Student Merit, Commitment
Hafsat Sani
Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Student Merit, Research
Olivia Manes
Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Student Merit, Special Recognition Award
Fatmata Bah
Dean’s Award for Undergraduate Student Merit, Special Recognition Award
Malise Greene
