02/01/2023
By Shortie McKinney
Prof. Wenjun Li, who started at the university in 2020, is the new chair of the Department of Public Health. A statistician and epidemiologist, Wenjun researches aging and injury prevention strategies. He recently received a $4 million grant from the National Institutes of Aging to study active aging and fall prevention. I’m grateful for his contributions to improve health, mentor our students and lead a talented team of faculty and staff.
Previous chair in the Department of Public Health Prof. Dan Berlowitz oversees the Public Health Informatics and Technology (PHIT) program. Funded by a $3.09 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the information and technology courses prepare students for vital jobs needed to advance health equity and drive population health. Thank you to Dan for his leadership contributions to the department and implementation of PHIT.
In the Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology, Assoc. Prof. Winnie Wu has taken on the interim chair position. A scientific lead in the New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation (NERVE) Center, she researches human performance and recovery enhanced through technologies such as personal protection equipment, exoskeletons and novel exercise machines. I’m grateful that she has taken on this leadership role in the department.
Previous chair in the Department of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology Erik Swartz started a new position as Vice Dean & Ruth S. Ammon Professor at Adelphi University. His research of helmet-less tackling in football aims to prevent concussions of high school football players. We will miss his drive and innovative ideas to improve health.
In the Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, Chair Tim Ford will be retiring at the end of the academic year. With a career that bridges microbiology and public health, he researches waterborne infectious diseases and the conditions that make them more virulent and widespread. His expertise is especially appreciated during the pandemic.
We are currently in the process of hiring two department chair positions and faculty in each department as well as in the Solomont School of Nursing. Please share these career opportunities with your colleagues.