The annual American Public Health Association (APHA) Conference took place in Washington, D.C., bringing together public health professionals and scholars from across the country. Representing the Larner College of Medicine were faculty members Tom Delaney, PhD, and Elzerie de Jager, MBBS, PhD, along with Public Health students Adam Matunas, Keelan Boisvert, and Jocelyn Botelho.

Adam Matunas presented his team’s research, “Physical Activity is Associated with Improved Mental Health in High-School Aged Vermont Students.” The project was mentored by Dr. Tom Delaney, with Dr. Elzerie de Jager also contributing as an author. Additional team members included Meghan O’Connor, Kyle Gadoury, Jazlyn Oviedo, and Cindy Noyes.

Keelan Boisvert showcased her team’s study, “Comparing the Impact of Adolescent Dating Violence and Bullying on Anxiety Among LGBTQ+ and Heterosexual-Cisgender Adolescents in Vermont.” This work was mentored by Elizabeth Woods, PhD, with Drs. Delaney and de Jager as co-authors. Student collaborators included Madeleine Colton, Kylie Williams, Chanc VanWinkle Orzell, and Rebecca Brady. Keelan accepted a Delta Omega Student Poster Award on behalf of her team.

Jocelyn Botelho presented the project, “Cancer and Mental Health: Rural and Urban,” representing teammates Isabelle Fluette, Sophie Piffard, Kate Sinz, and Jacob Brookman. The team was mentored by Erika Ziller, PhD, with Drs. Delaney and de Jager also contributing as authors. This project likewise earned a Delta Omega Student Poster Award at APHA.