Jean Wactawski-Wende, Ph.D, is an epidemiologist who has been an
active researcher at UB for more than 25 years, investigating
factors affecting women's health. She is principal investigator of
UB's Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Center, and current lead of
the Northeast Regional center of WHI. WHI included both a series of
clinical trials and an observational study investigating the major
factors influencing morbidity and mortality in older women. Results
of that work have been far reaching, impacting understanding of
long-term health in women. She has served in leadership roles in
WHI including publications chair and the WHI executive committee.
She is currently a member of the Steering committee. In addition to
the WHI, she has been PI on dozens of other research studies
including research on cancer, osteoporosis, and periodontal disease
in postmenopausal women. She has led several large scale clinical
prevention trials in women.
Appointed in Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives
in 2009, Dr. Wactawski-Wende coordinates and oversees the
University at Buffalo Strategic Strengths, a platform for
interdisciplinary and collaborative research at UB. Eight in total,
the Strategic Strengths encompass the breadth and depth of research
at UB, areas where existing faculty strengths, together with
investment in world-class new hires and resources have given the
university a preeminent leadership role among its peers.
