Hometown: Sugar Grove, Illinois

Faculty mentors/advisors: Juliana de Souza Talarico, PhD, RN, associate professor, College of Nursing; Shannon Lea Watkins, PhD, assistant professor of community and behavioral health, College of Public Health

Degree program and anticipated graduation date: MS in epidemiology, Spring 2026

Max Hansen studies how mobile health clinics can help lower dementia risk and improve health in underserved communities. His research identifies what helps or hinders mobile clinic implementation and how lifestyle behaviors, such as sleep and daily activity, affect cognitive health. Hansen’s work aims to help develop strategies that promote brain health and reduce dementia risk across Iowa.

“Conducting this research has strengthened my ability to integrate epidemiologic methods with real-world public health questions, giving me hands-on experience in study design, data analysis, and interpreting cognitive health outcomes,” says Hansen.

Beyond dementia prevention, Hansen also collaborates on research examining how TikTok content about vaping and energy drinks influences young people and their perceptions of risk. After graduation, he plans to build a career as a public health researcher at the federal level or in academia, advancing population health through research.