Freudenheim named chair of epidemiology and environmental health

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Jo L. Freudenheim, an internationally renowned nutritional and cancer epidemiologist, has been named chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health in the University at Buffalo’s School of Public Health and Health Professions (SPHHP).

Her appointment is effective Oct. 1. Freudenheim, PhD, is a UB Distinguished Professor and professor in the department. She served as chair of the department from 2006 to 2013, and was named interim chair in 2014.

Freudenheim’s career at UB spans nearly three decades. She received a doctorate degree in nutritional sciences and a master’s in epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She came to UB for postdoctoral training in cancer epidemiology, and was appointed to the faculty in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health (formerly the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine) in 1987.

In addition to her faculty appointment in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, Freudenheim is an adjunct professor of oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and an affiliated scientist at UB’s Research Institute on Addictions.

Her research focuses on breast cancer epidemiology and prognosis, including an examination of breast tumor characteristics, factors related to disparities in breast cancer among Puerto Rican women, the role of exposures during the life course and breast cancer risk, and the role of the microbiome in cancer risk.

“She is a proven academic leader and mentor. I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue to work closely with Dr. Freudenheim as we, together with the school’s leadership, continue to strive to grow the school’s research productivity and academic excellence,” Jean Wactawski-Wende, dean of the school, said in announcing Freudenheim’s appointment.

“I am confident that she will continue to be an integral part of shaping the future of the School of Public Health and Health Professions,” Wactawski-Wende added.

Gary Giovino, professor and chair of SPHHP’s Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, led the search committee, which included the following UB faculty members: Robert Genco, Gregory Homish, Heather Lindstrom, James Marshall, Amy Millen, Heather Ochs-Balcom, James Olson, Pavani Ram and Jerome Yates. Epidemiology PhD candidate Albina Minlikeeva also served on the committee.