UI officials announced Wednesday Miss Iowa 2009 Anne Michael Langguth will serve as the environmental and public health laboratory ambassador for the University Hygienic Laboratory.

As ambassador, Langguth will bring attention to the anticipated shortages in public health workers, according to a UI news release.

The Association of Schools of Public Health states 4,200 public health jobs in Iowa are expected to be left vacant due to shortages in skilled workers. The association expects about 250,000 vacancies nationwide.

The University Hygienic Laboratory is the environmental and public health laboratory for Iowa. It has facilities at both the UI Oakdale Campus and at the Iowa Lab Facilities in Ankeny, outside of Des Moines, according to a UI news release.

Langguth graduated from Harvard University in 2009 with a degree in government. She will defer her entry into the UI Carver College of Medicine until the end of her year as Miss Iowa.

— by Lauren Mills