Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

History

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2020’s

    Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD

    2025

    Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair in Preventive Medicine

    Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair in Preventive Medicine, along with Chanita Hughes Halbert, PhD as executive vice chair.

    Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD

    2024

    Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD is appointed Interim Chair

    Ricky Bluthenthal, PhD is appointed interim chair, along with Chanita Hughes Halbert, PhD as interim executive vice chair.

    Department of Population and Public Health Sciences lockup

    2021

    The Department of Preventive Medicine becomes the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences

    A new name is selected to reflect the ongoing mission and vision of the Department.

    coronavirus image

    2020

    The COVID-19 Pandemic Research Center is established

    The COVID-19 Pandemic Research Center is established by Frank Gilliland, MD, MPH, PhD; Jennifer Unger, PhD; Howard Hu, MD, MPH, ScD; Lourdes Baezconde Garbanati, PhD, MPH; David Conti, PhD; and Andrea Kovacs, MD. The Department is now home to 13 centers and 3 institutes.

    Howard Hu, MD, MPH, ScD

    2020

    Howard Hu, MD, MPH, ScD is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair in Preventive Medicine

    Howard Hu, MD, MPH, ScD is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair in Preventive Medicine amidst a global pandemic.

    Late 2010’s

      2019

      The Center for Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research is established

      The Center for Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Research is established by Kimberly Miller, PhD, MPH; Joel Milam, PhD; and David Freyer, DO, MS.

      A group of researchers discussing work at a table

      2018

      The Institute of Global Health becomes the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health

      The Institute of Global Health becomes the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, led by Sofia Gruskin, JD, MIA.

      2018

      The USC Institute for Addiction Science is established

      The USC Institute for Addiction Science is established by Adam Leventhal, PhD and John Clapp (of USC Social Work).

      Thomas Valente, PhD

      2017

      Thomas Valente, PhD serves as Interim Chair

      Thomas Valente, PhD serves as Interim Chair until 2020.

      2016

      The Center for Genetic Epidemiology is established

      The Center for Genetic Epidemiology is established by Christopher Haiman, ScD.

      Early 2010’s

        Members of the USC Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social stressors Center for Environmental Health Disparities

        2015

        The Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social stressors Center for Environmental Health Disparities is established

        The Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social stressors (MADRES) Center for Environmental Health Disparities is established by Carrie Breton, ScD and Theresa Bastain, PhD, MPH.

        2014

        The Center for Health and Equity in the Americas is established

        The Center for Health and Equity in the Americas is established by Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, PhD, MPH, MA and Maryann Pentz, PhD.

        Members of the USC Tobacco Center of Regulatory Sciences

        2013

        The Tobacco Center of Regulatory Sciences is established

        The Tobacco Center of Regulatory Sciences (TCORS) is established by Jonathan M. Samet, MD, MS and Maryann Pentz, PhD.

        2012

        The Division of Disease Prevention and Global Health is formed

        The Division of Disease Prevention and Global Health is formed.

        Paul Thomas, PhD

        2010

        The Division of Bioinformatics is formed

        The Division of Bioinformatics is formed, led by Paul Thomas, PhD.

        2000’s

          2008

          The Center for Applied Network Analysis is established

          The Center for Applied Network Analysis is established by Thomas Valente, PhD.

          USC Institute for Global Health shirts

          2008

          The USC Institute for Global Health is established

          The USC Institute for Global Health is established by Jonathan M. Samet, MD, MS.

          Jonathan Samet, MD, MS

          2008

          Jonathan M. Samet, MD, MS is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair

          Jonathan M. Samet, MD, MS is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair and serves until 2017.

          Malcolm Pike, PhD

          2006

          Malcolm Pike, PhD serves as Interim Chair

          Malcolm Pike, PhD serves as Interim Chair until 2008.

          2000

          The Division of Biostatistics absorbs the Division of Biometry

          The Division of Biometry is absorbed by the Division of Biostatistics, and is co-led by Stanley Azen, PhD and Duncan Thomas, PhD.

          1990’s

            Ronald Ross, MD

            1999

            Ronald Ross, MD is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair

            Ronald Ross, MD is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair, and serves until 2006.

            John M. Peters, MD

            1996

            The Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center is established

            The Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center (SCEHSC) is established by John M. Peters, MD.

            1980’s

              Malcolm Pike, PhD

              1989

              Malcolm Pike, PhD is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair

              Malcom Pike, PhD is appointed Flora L. Thornton Chair, and serves until 1999.

              1984

              The Division of Biostatistics is established

              The Division of Biostatistics is established, led by Duncan Thomas, PhD.

              scientist at a blackboard

              1984

              The Department is renamed the Department of Preventive Medicine

              The Department of Family and Preventive Medicine becomes the Department of Preventive Medicine as the independent Department of Family Medicine is formed.

              members of the Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research

              1983

              The Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research is established

              The Health Behavior Research Institute at the USC School of Pharmacy is absorbed into the Department and becomes the Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research. The Division of Health Behavior Research is also established.

              1970’s

                Stanley Azen

                1977

                The Division of Biometry is established

                The Division of Biometry is established, led by Stanley Azen, PhD.

                Brian Henderson, MD

                1977

                The Department of Family and Preventive Medicine is established

                The Department is established with Brian Henderson, MD as the inaugural chair. Henderson later goes on to become dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC from 2004-2007 and Kenneth T. Norris Jr. Chair in Cancer Prevention.

                USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

                1973

                The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is established

                The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is established, led by G. Denman Hammond, MD.

                scientists consult maps

                1970

                The Cancer Surveillance Program registry is initiated

                The Cancer Surveillance Program registry is initiated by Brian Henderson, MD with researchers Thomas Mack, MD, MPH, Malcolm Pike, PhD, Susan Preston-Martin, PhD, and John Hisserich, PhD, MPH. The registry becomes population-based within two years, with complete incidence data for LAC available. The program collects and analyzes information on all new cancer diagnoses and will go on to become one of the world’s most productive cancer registries.