Melanie Bell, PhD, has retired from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at MEZCOPH and she will be missed! As a professor of biostatistics she supported dozens of vital research projects and grants for the college, published numerous research papers, and served as a mentor for many doctoral and MPH students.

Melanie Bell, PhD, MS, retired from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at MEZCOPH on June 1, 2022 and she will be missed! She joined the college in 2013, and as a professor of biostatistics she supported dozens of vital research projects and grants for the college, published numerous research papers, and served as a mentor for many doctoral and MPH students in addition to teaching courses.

During her time with the college, Dr. Bell received the MEZCOPH research award in 2019, and she was a two-time recipient of the Dean’s Fund Travel Award which supported her travel expenses for conferences to present her research. As of February 1, 2022, Dr. Bell has published over 130 papers during her tenure at the University of Arizona, and more than half of those papers include students as authors.

Melanie also supported many research projects and grant applications. During the past nine years, she was named as a co-investigator on five NIH R01 grants, and four R21 and R34 grants, as well as a number of program and foundation grants. She was also a named mentor on two successful K awards and the chair for three doctoral committees, including for the college’s first ever biostatics PhD graduate. In addition to serving on many graduate committees, Melanie was the research supervisor for eleven MS students and the internship chair for four MPH students. She served on the Statistics GIDP executive committee, as well as on study sections, the editorial board, data safety monitoring boards, and college and departmental committees.

A key player in research, education and outreach for the college, Melanie brought so much to our MEZCOPH community, and we will miss her spirit, insights and company. Her outstanding scholarly accomplishments demonstrate her lasting contribution to public health and her commitment to collaboration.

Thank you Melanie for all you gave to the college, and we wish you the very best on your new journey as an emeritus professor!