We offer post-doctoral positions and experiential learning opportunities such as internships, fellowships, and graduate research assistantships.
Current and prospective students
We train the current and next generation of injury and violence prevention researchers and public health professionals through coursework and professional opportunities.
“My experience working with the IPRC staff and faculty has been a critical key to my workforce development. Through their supportive atmosphere, I have acquired and honed a diverse range of skills, thanks to their continuous guidance and constructive feedback. Notably, my epidemiologic skills have been sharpened through immersion in injury research and collaboration with other organizations, equipping me for continued growth and success.”
See our video: For over 30 years, the University of Iowa’s Injury Prevention Research Center has provided research and learning opportunities for students from a wide variety of disciplines.
“Before starting my position at the college of public health, I studied transportation safety engineering, which is mainly focused on environmental and urban factors before crashes. However, most crashes are impacted by behavioral, social, and individual characteristics, which are taken into account through injury prevention research studies and projects. The capability to translate research-based safety measures into practical solutions and policies, the knowledge and expertise of the professors, and the supportive and cooperative atmosphere of the College of Public Health are the main reasons I chose to be part of a bigger family known as the University of Iowa.”
Projects: Bike safety: how training promotes bicycle safety in children aged 9-12; Farm equipment safety: how drivers behave when confronted with farm equipment on the road
Amir Ghanbari, MS Engineering (PhD candidate)
“The incredible support from mentorship at the University of Iowa has given me motivation and confidence to make an impact through research, specifically in the effort to prevent intimate partner and sexual violence. Through my time at the IPRC, I have learned the vital role that research plays in uncovering trends and patterns through a variety of means, such as public policy. From statistics to social policy, my experience has taught me that injury and violence prevention is a vast, interdisciplinary field where the integration of different perspectives allows us to continuously update our knowledge and advocate for necessary change to improve real-world public health outcomes.”
Projects: Evaluating the associations between specific teen dating violence education policy components and reported outcomes of teen dating violence at both the state and school district levels nationwide
Devin Spolsdoff, MS Biostatistics (PhD candidate)
During my time with the IPRC at the University of Iowa, I’ve focused on researching how bike education affects child safety while riding. This work has taught me a lot about the real-life challenges kids face on the road and the importance of not only the necessary safety equipment but also the information that kids need to learn to be safe on the road. I chose Iowa because of its strong focus on promoting public health and the chance to collaborate with other people who are passionate about this work. I’ve enjoyed jumping into community projects and seeing how education can make a difference in preventing injuries. It’s rewarding to know that our research could help keep kids safer, and I’m excited to keep exploring this important area.
Project: The impact of bicycle education programs on kids aged 9-12
Elizabeth Theeler, BS Public Health
Opportunities for students and professionals
Preventing Childhood Injuries Conference
Join in a discussion of hot topics, emerging trends and tangible interventions in childhood injury.
Our pilot grant program provides initial support for young investigators or investigators new to the injury prevention field. Typical awards are up to $22,500 for one-year projects.
