College of Public Health

Careers in Injury & Violence Prevention

Graduate listening to speech at a commencement ceremony.

Impacting the field

Our students have gone on to work in injury and violence prevention positions at the CDC, U.S. military, local and state public health departments and centers, companies, academic institutions, and other CDC Injury Control Research Centers (ICRCs). 

Resources

Alumni highlights

Michael Niles

“My current work in emergency preparedness helps RCPHD and Rock County prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. I’m also currently involved in our department’s efforts in the National Opioid Settlement where I will work to advocate for using settlement funds for harm reduction strategies. My work with the IPRC during my internship and practicum continues to help me tremendously in my day-to-day work with RCPHD. During my time with the IPRC, I was able to get involved on a number of different projects that helped me hone skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, technical writing, survey development, and organizing groups of stakeholders.” 

What I do: Assist in communicable disease program implementation, evaluation, strategic planning, and communications; Develop emergency plans and procedures 

Michael Niles, MPH, Occupational and Environmental Health, 2020 
Public Health Strategist/ Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Rock County Public Health Department (RCPHD, WI) 
Laura Schwab Reese

“As a researcher, it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day aspects of the work and forget about the big picture. When I stop and think, I realize that as a result of my work, kiddos who have experienced violence may receive better support and caseworkers may be better prepared to help families — which may ultimately reduce the negative impacts of child abuse.” 

What I do: Research violence related topics, teach public health graduate courses, and consult on evaluation projects with local and state agencies and organizations. 

Laura Schwab-Reese, PhD, Community & Behavioral Health, 2015 
Associate Professor, Purdue University, Indiana; President of the Society for Advancement of Violence and Injury Research (SAVIR)