Professor Linda Niccolai, PhD, started her new role as associate dean for academic affairs on July 1, 2022. The primary function of the associate dean is to oversee and coordinate the educational curriculum at YSPH, sustaining positive momentum in the development of a distinct and innovative academic vision for the school.
Niccolai is currently interim chair of the department of epidemiology of microbial diseases. She also directs the Connecticut Emerging Infections Program (CT EIP) at Yale and the HPV Vaccine Working Group at Yale. In her new position, Niccolai will chair YSPH’s Education Committee, which is responsible for educational policy and programs, including MPH, MS, and PhD programs, joint degree programs, as well as YSPH’s role in public health education at Yale College and online programs, such as the Executive MPH, certificate programs, and future degree and non-degree programs.
Niccolai brings to the role a long history of dedication to excellence in the student experience and leadership successes at YSPH. A member of the faculty since 2002 and instructor of the core epidemiology class since 2008, she has taught and mentored hundreds of students, earning her the YSPH Award for Excellence in Teaching. Also, during her tenure as director of CT EIP, over 200 MPH students have been trained in applied public health through employment, practicum, internship, and thesis opportunities that provide the valuable practical experience essential for the future public health workforce. Skilled in academic administration, Niccolai has served as both a member and chair of the YSPH MPH Admissions Committee and as chair of the Academic Advising Committee for the department of epidemiology of microbial diseases.
In addition to serving as the CT EIP director, Niccolai has held several leadership positions at YSPH, including at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS in the Development Core, Office of International Training, and Community Research Core. She is also the founder and director of the HPV Working Group at Yale, an initiative that brings together diverse scientists from across the health sciences schools, as well as the Yale COVID-19 Contact Tracing Program.