Dr. Malinee Neelamegam named finalist for UNTHSC Faculty Achievement Award
May 30, 2025 • News
Dr. Malinee Neelamegam, Assistant Professor at the College of Public Health (CPH), was named a finalist for the UNT Health Science Center’s Faculty Achievement Award.
This award was given to faculty who demonstrated an exceptional dedication to the community, their students, their colleagues, their field of study, and to the university.
As an epidemiologist, Neelamegam’s research surrounding aging in populations facing health disparities has led to a multitude of projects and achievements. One of those projects includes a diabetes self-management program she developed for older adults living with HIV, awarding her the Gilead HIV Scholars Award. She was also awarded a four-year Texas Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Award to develop and implement a diabetes prevention and management program which leveraged community health workers.
In recent months, Neelamegam has earned national recognition for her teaching. She was most recently named runner-up for the Delta Omega Innovative Curriculum Award for her redesign of the EPID 5300: Principles of Epidemiology course at UNTHSC. This achievement marked the very first time that the UNTHSC Delta Omega chapter was recognized on a national level. Last year, the assistant professor was also nominated by her peers for the CPH Teaching Award for her continued and consistent work. Since joining UNTHSC in 2021, Neelamegam has taught a total of 14 courses to graduate and doctoral-level students and developed two new courses.
While maintaining numerous leadership roles, Neelamegam was also involved with the UNTHSC Women’s Faculty Network, led Interprofessional Education Seminars, served as a faculty mentor for graduate students and summer research internship programs, contributed as a planning member for the Annual UNTHSC Texas Conference on Health Disparities and has hosted various writing accountability groups for the Early Career Development Council at UNTHSC. She also currently serves as a faculty senator on behalf of the College of Public Health.
Neelamegam’s other roles include being previously elected to the Board of Directors for the South Asian Public Health Association before advancing to the Executive Council as Treasurer in 2024. Additionally, she holds the position of Caucus Director for the Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health in the American Public Health Association. Neelamegam’s dedication to the previously mentioned organizations and communities are a testimony to not only her own core values but also that of UNTHSC and CPH.
“I am thankful for the academic and professional home the College of Public Health has given me, and for the privilege of continuing work that is deeply meaningful to me and to the communities I care about,” says the assistant professor.
Neelamegam’s nominations, praise, and collaborations from the previous few years are leading contributors to this highlight.
“We couldn’t be happier for Dr. Neelamegam’s recognition,” says Dr. Shafik Dharamsi, CPH dean. “Her unwavering dedication, leadership, and tireless commitment to meaningful change has shaped the strength and spirit of CPH.”
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