, professor and interim chair of the at the (COPH), has been recognized with the Outstanding Mentorship Award from the American College of Epidemiology (ACE).
The national award honors epidemiologists who demonstrate exceptional commitment to guiding and supporting the next generation of professionals in the field.
鈥淏eing recognized is incredibly humbling,鈥� Salemi said. 鈥淥f all the honors I鈥檝e been fortunate to receive, this one means the most because it reflects not my own accomplishments, but those of the people I鈥檝e had the privilege to mentor and learn from. I see this award as a celebration of their achievements 鈥� the students, fellows and colleagues who continue to inspire me every day.鈥�
Salemi noted that the COPH鈥檚 community was well represented at this year鈥檚 ACE meeting, where current and former Bulls received three of the five national awards presented.
鈥淭hat says something about who we are as a community,鈥� he said. 鈥淧eople who lift one another up, invest in each other鈥檚 growth and take pride in seeing others succeed.鈥�
COPH Alumna Dr. Sharonda Lovett with Drs. Judith Rijnhart and Jason Salemi at the 2025 American College of Epidemiology annual conference in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo courtesy of Salemi)
As both a researcher and educator, Salemi has long emphasized the importance of collaboration, mentorship and mutual respect in the field of epidemiology.
鈥淥ur department runs not only on incredible passion, but also on collaboration and mentorship 鈥� it鈥檚 in our DNA,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 a student learning to analyze their first dataset, a faculty member developing a new grant or a team brainstorming how to translate research into practice, an important through-line is mutual respect and shared purpose.鈥�
Salemi said his approach to mentorship has evolved throughout his career, shifting from offering prescriptive advice to creating space for others to grow.
鈥淓ffective mentorship starts with listening,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about seeing people for who they are鈥攐ften before they see it themselves鈥攁nd doing everything possible to create the conditions for them to flourish. Sometimes that means offering support and perspective鈥攂ut just as often, it means clearing away the barriers academia tends to put in people鈥檚 paths and then getting out of their way.鈥�
For Salemi, mentorship is more than professional guidance鈥攊t鈥檚 a legacy of empowerment.
鈥淓very student or junior colleague who gains confidence carries that forward to someone else,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat chain of care and encouragement is what makes mentorship so meaningful to me.鈥�