Sexual, reproductive health expert joined College of Public Health in 2011
Alison Norris has been named chair of the College of Public Health’s Division of Epidemiology, beginning Sept. 16.
Norris, who has been with the college since 2011, is an epidemiologist and a physician with deep expertise in sexual and reproductive health. She serves as co-lead of the multi-university collaborative Ohio Policy Evaluation Network (OPEN), which works to understand how reproductive health-related laws and policies impact the health and well-being of Ohioans and people in nearby states.
She has also conducted extensive research abroad, particularly in eastern and southern Africa, focused on understanding how women’s and men’s decision-making impacts fertility, family planning, pregnancy, childbirth, and testing and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Norris said she’s looking forward to deepening her engagement with faculty, staff and students whose work is important, interesting and impactful.
“In our small division we have a wide diversity of interests and skill sets and people who pursue their work with curiosity and care. I’m thrilled for the chance to work more closely with colleagues in epidemiology and across the college and university to find opportunities to promote our collective success,” she said.
Before completing a postdoctoral fellowship in reproductive health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in 2011, Norris earned her MD degree, a PhD degree in epidemiology and public health, and a bachelor’s degree in biology, all from Yale University.
She is a member of Ohio State’s Institute for Population Research and Infectious Diseases Institute, and holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, where she serves on the board of the Center for Feminist Research, Education and Engagement (FREE Center).
“I am thrilled to see Dr. Norris in this leadership role, and grateful to Dr. Amy Ferketich, who has been serving as interim chair and recently was promoted to Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs,” said Interim Dean Karla Zadnik.
