Campus News

Epidemiology and Environmental Health’s noteworthy names

By GRACE LAZZARA

Published May 7, 2019

Print
headshot of Jo Freudenheim.
“For a relatively small department, a notably large number of the leaders in the field of epidemiology and in public health more generally have conducted research and studied in our program. ”
Jo Freudenheim, UB Distinguished Professor and chair
Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health

If the measure of a department’s influence is the renown of its people, Epidemiology and Environmental Health can claim a highly influential place in the history of public health education and research.

“For a relatively small department, a notably large number of the leaders in the field of epidemiology and in public health more generally have conducted research and studied in our program,” says department chair and UB Distinguished Professor Jo Freudenheim.

The estimable epidemiologists listed below are among the leaders in the field who have been affiliated with UB as students, faculty or both:

  • Christine Ambrosone, senior vice president, Population Sciences, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Cancer epidemiologist, among the first to examine the interaction of genetic factors with other exposures in relation to cancer.
  • The late Saxon Graham, one of the fathers of U.S. chronic disease epidemiology and among the first to research links between diet and the etiology and prevention of cancer. Former president, Society for Epidemiologic Research.
  • Brian King, deputy director for research translation, Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, providing scientific leadership to CDC on tobacco prevention and control.
  • Germaine Buck Louis, dean, George Mason University College of Health and Human Services. Former president of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. Reproductive epidemiologist examining topics ranging from sudden infant death to reproductive technologies.
  • James R. Marshall, distinguished professor emeritus, former senior vice president Population Sciences, Department of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Cancer epidemiologist with major contributions to understanding diet in relation to cancer, as well as advancing research methodology. Former president, American Society for Preventive Oncology.
  • Phillip C. Nasca, current professor/past dean, University at Albany School of Public Health; research professor, UB School of Public Health and Health Professions. Cancer epidemiologist, especially in relation to hormones.
  • Enrique Schisterman, environmental branch chief, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development. Current president of the Society for Epidemiologic Research. Research focused on reproductive epidemiology etiologic study of reproduction and of exposure methodology.
  • Holger Schunemann, chair, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University. Innovator critical in the development of methods in evidence-based medicine applied to development of clinical guidelines.
  • The late Milton Terris, physician and professor. Former president of the American Public Health Association and founder of the Journal of Public Policy.
  • Maurizio Trevisan, professor, CUNY School of Medicine. Global leader in cardiovascular disease epidemiology, contributing to understanding of the role of alcohol in prevention.
  • John Vena, founding chair, Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina. Leader in environmental and occupational epidemiology.
  • Jean Wactawski-Wende, dean, UB School of Public Health and Health Professions. Research focused on women’s health, including leadership of the Women’s Health Initiative.
  • Robert B. Wallace, professor of epidemiology and Irene Ensminger Stecher Professorship in Cancer Research, University of Iowa College of Public Health. Leading epidemiologist in research on aging.
  • Zuo-Feng Zhang, associate dean for research and professor, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Epidemiologist with a research focus on the molecular epidemiology of cancer.