Sandra Martin named Associate Dean for Research

Sandra Martin, PhD

Dean Barbara K. Rimer has appointed Sandra Martin, PhD, to be Associate Dean for Research at the School of Public Health. Dr. Martin has been a professor and associate chair for research in Maternal and Child Health since 2004.

As leader for the School’s Office of Research, the associate dean works to enhance the research enterprise at the School by engaging with faculty, staff, students and others across the School, campus and beyond.

An epidemiologist by training, Martin says she hopes to continue many Office of Research activities already in place. These include the School’s Research Council, an advisory council to the dean, and the “Lunch with the Dean” series, in which faculty present their current research in an informal setting.

“Along with others, I hope to develop new opportunities for our researchers,” Martin says, “including working closely with those involved in the Gillings Innovation Labs and other research endeavors.”

Martin’s own research, teaching and public health service focus on the health of women and children, with particular attention to the role that violence plays in their lives. She is committed to linking research findings and public health practice.

“One of my current projects,” she says, “involves working with colleagues to develop, evaluate and implement standardized assessment procedures and outcome evaluations for clients seen in our North Carolina domestic violence and sexual assault programs to assure that these clients are provided with the best services possible.”

Martin praises the contributions of former associate dean for research at the School, Dr. Steven Zeisel, now the director of the School of Public Health’s Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) in Kannapolis, N.C. “Dr. Zeisel serves as a role model for the ways we, as researchers, can collaborate within the School, across the campus and with the larger community,” she says. “NRI is one example of Steve’s many success stories during his tenure in the Office of Research.”

Dean Rimer says she is delighted that Martin agreed to serve in this leadership capacity. “Dr. Martin is an outstanding researcher known for being highly collaborative,” Rimer says. “The combination of her keen intellect and upbeat personal style are great assets. She is deeply committed to the School of Public Health and UNC. As I solicited input during the decision-making process, I was really impressed by the accolades accorded to Dr. Martin by faculty across the School. We look forward to her being part of the School’s leadership team.”

Martin will fill several openings in the Office of Research, including a director of research and a grants specialist. Amy Davenport, who received a master’s in public health degree in the School’s Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, currently serves as interim director of research.

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School of Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, director of communications, (919) 966-7467 or ramona_dubose@unc.