Emily Sheldon, MPH, a Master of Public Health alumna from Vanderbilt University and former research assistant at the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health (VIGH), has been awarded the Hall-Sewankambo Mid-Career Leadership Award. She received this honor at the 2025 Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) annual international conference. 

In February, the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) held its 2025 annual international conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 2008, CUGH has a mission to empower academic institutions and partners to tackle global health challenges and ultimately transform health outcomes worldwide. The organization aims to enhance the well-being of individuals and the planet through education, research, service, and advocacy. The event was co-sponsored by the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health (VIGH).

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is marked by chronic hemolysis, systemic endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and vascular occlusion, leading to severe pain, multi-organ damage, and a median lifespan of 48 years in high-income countries. Young adults with progressive heart, lung, or kidney damage are at heightened risk for premature death.

Anemia, defined by low hemoglobin content in the blood, is common in pregnancy, impairing the health of the mother as well as babies. Although the condition can easily be treated with currently available supplements or infusions, anemia is detected too late or not at all.