At faculty meeting on November 15, 2023, Department Chair Dr. Kola Okuyemi announced Jim VanDerslice, PhD as the new Division Chief of Public Health.
“Dr. VanDerslice is one of the longest-serving professors in the department and has served in a number of leadership roles.” Dr. Okuyemi said while congratulating Dr. VanDerslice on his appointment. “I am sure he will be successful stepping into the position of Chief.”
Dr. VanDerslice has been a professor of public health in the department since 2007. Dr. VanDerslice’s research focuses on evaluating human exposure to chemical and microbiological hazards in the environment. He uses mapping techniques to model environmental contaminants and link them to health outcome datasets such s the UPDB. His recent work examines the role of the environment in the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms.
In taking the position, Dr. VanDerslice succeeds Steven Lacey, PhD, CIH, CSP who served as the Division Chief of Public Health from 2020. Dr. VanDerslice previously served as interim chief before Dr. Lacey was appointed.