The following is the text of an email sent on March 13, 2025.
It is my pleasure to announce that Dr. Jaroslaw Harezlak has concluded his role as interim chairperson and is now the chairperson for the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, effective March 1, 2025.
Dr. Harezlak earned a Ph.D. in biostatistics from Harvard University and has served SPH-B in various capacities over the years including a role as assistant dean of research analytics.
His research interests include statistical regularization methods, traumatic brain injury, and structured high-dimensional data. A prodigious researcher, Dr. Harezlak has written or contributed to more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and was recently awarded a $1.4 million R01 grant for his project, "Influence of the College Football Athletes' Cumulative Head Impact Exposure (HIE) on the mTBI [mild traumatic brain injury] incidence and post-mTBI health outcomes."
I am honored to step into the role of the EBIO department chair and grateful for the support and confidence of my colleagues. Our department has been built on a foundation of dedication, collaboration, and excellence, and I deeply value the passion and expertise everyone brings to work. I look forward to fostering an environment where innovation and growth thrive, ensuring that we continue to support our students and advance our fields. My goal is to strengthen our shared vision, encourage new opportunities, and build on the successes we have achieved together. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the former chairs and Dean Keith for their guidance and leadership, and I am excited for what we will accomplish as a team. –Dr. Harezlak
Serving as department chair is a unique responsibility. It requires leading by example; providing support to faculty, staff, and students; representing the department both within and outside of the school; and helping to cultivate and realize strategic plans and initiatives both at the department and school level. We are confident that Dr. Harezlak will perform this role excellently, and are grateful that he has accepted the appointment.
Please join me in celebrating this great news for Dr. Harezlak and for our school.
Sincerely,
NiCole R. Keith, Ph.D.
Executive Associate Dean