The University of Texas Medical Branch has announced that Dr. Neil Mehta, Professor of Epidemiology, will assume the role of Inaugural Chair of the Department of Epidemiology effective July 1, 2025. The appointment represents a significant milestone for the department within UTMB's School of Public and Population Health (SPPH).
Dr. Mehta, who joined UTMB in 2020 as faculty in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, became a founding member of the Department of Epidemiology when SPPH was established in 2022. His research focuses on the demography and epidemiology of aging populations, with particular emphasis on understanding trends in health, functioning, and mortality patterns.
"Dr. Mehta brings a rare combination of deep methodological expertise and a collaborative spirit that aligns perfectly with our school's interdisciplinary culture. His vision for building on our strengths while expanding new research frontiers made him a natural choice for this role," said Dr. M. Kristen Peek, Senior Vice President and Founding Dean of SPPH.
Currently leading several National Institute on Aging-funded projects examining U.S. life expectancy trends and cardiovascular disease risk factors, Dr. Mehta has made significant contributions to understanding recent stagnation in American life expectancy. His research has identified declining improvements in cardiovascular disease mortality as a key driver of this concerning trend.
As incoming chair, Dr. Mehta envisions strengthening the department's existing expertise in infectious disease, chronic disease, and pharmacoepidemiology while fostering new collaborations across UTMB's centers and institutes. He plans to develop a public health innovation incubator focused on Gulf Coast regional challenges, leveraging UTMB's unique geographical position and research infrastructure.
"This appointment is a reflection of our commitment to elevating departments through faculty-led vision and evidence-driven growth. Dr. Mehta's plans to expand epidemiological and health service related collaborations are central to our school's future," Dr. Peek added.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time as the department seeks to enhance its educational offerings, including strengthening pipeline programs for aspiring epidemiologists and improving integration between faculty research and student training. Dr. Mehta also emphasized the importance of public scholarship and science communication as essential components of epidemiological practice.
"I'm excited to see the department deepen its expertise in areas like chronic and infectious disease, and broaden its role in health services research," Dr. Peek noted.
Before joining UTMB, Dr. Mehta served as a Robert Wood Johnson Health & Society Scholar at the University of Michigan and held faculty positions at both Emory University and the University of Michigan. His extensive research portfolio includes influential work on obesity, smoking, immigrant health, and socioeconomic health disparities.
Dr. Mehta's leadership philosophy emphasizes mentorship, faculty autonomy, and building collaborative networks while maintaining rigorous research standards. He plans to promote departmental cohesion through regular seminars, collaborative pilot initiatives, and faculty-led symposia.
The Department of Epidemiology plays a central role in SPPH's mission to improve health regionally and globally through impactful research, education, and community engagement.