After nearly a decade of leadership at UNH's Institute on Disability (IOD) and more than 30 years in the field of occupational safety and health, Karla Armenti has announced that she will retire at the end of this year.
Since joining the IOD in 2016, Armenti has led the New Hampshire Occupational Health Surveillance Program (NH OHSP) — a partnership funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Through her leadership, the program has become a vital source of research and policy insights for the state, illuminating how work environments impact health and well-being across industries and communities.
Armenti’s approach to occupational health has always centered on the people behind the data. Her work bridges public health research, policy, and education, highlighting how social, political, and economic factors intersect to shape workers’ lives.
A dedicated educator in UNH's Master of Public Health program for more than 15 years, she has inspired countless students to see the connection between safe workplaces and thriving communities.
Beyond New Hampshire, Armenti has contributed nationally through her service on NIOSH workgroups and the NIOSH Board of Scientific Counselors, advising on research priorities that help ensure all workers have access to healthy and equitable working conditions.
“I leave with a heart full of gratitude for the dedicated colleagues, partners, and friends who have made this work so impactful and rewarding," Armenti says. "Thank you for your support, your wisdom, and most of all, your unwavering commitment to protecting the health and safety of workers everywhere.”
As Armenti retires, Liu Yang will assume leadership of the NH Occupational Health Surveillance Program.
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Written By:
Romy Eberle | Institute on Disability
