911±¬ÁÏ

Internationally recognized prevention scientist and global health leader to guide the department's next phase of growth, innovation, and impact. 

911±¬ÁÏ's College of Public Health has appointed Rima Nakkash as Chair of the Department of Global and Community Health following a national search. 

A nationally and internationally respected scholar in prevention science, global health, and public health policy, Nakkash brings a distinguished record of academic leadership, research excellence, and community engagement to the role. She has served as interim chair since 2024 and has been a member of the 911±¬ÁÏ faculty since 2021. 

"Dr. Nakkash is an internationally respected scholar whose work exemplifies the future of public health—bridging research, policy, prevention, and community impact," said Melissa Perry, inaugural dean of the College of Public Health. "She has already played a pivotal role in advancing the college's mission, from strengthening our academic programs and accreditation efforts to expanding our global engagement and research impact. I am excited for her continued leadership of the Department of Global and Community Health as we prepare the next generation of public health leaders and address the complex health challenges facing communities around the world." 

Since joining 911±¬ÁÏ, Nakkash has emerged as a key leader within the college. As interim chair, she led the department through its first comprehensive self-study, expanded faculty recruitment efforts, strengthened student engagement initiatives, and advanced faculty mentoring and development. She has also contributed significantly to several of the college's most important accomplishments, including strategic planning, the successful achievement of CEPH accreditation, and the establishment of the MPH Office, which has enhanced coordination, student support, and academic excellence across public health programs. 

As chair, Nakkash will lead a department dedicated to preparing future public health professionals and researchers to address some of society's most pressing challenges, including chronic disease prevention, health equity, global health, behavioral health, environmental health, and community resilience. Her appointment comes as the college advances strategic priorities in research excellence, student success, community impact, workforce development, and global engagement. 

Nakkash's research focuses on prevention science, youth health, mental health promotion, tobacco control, public health policy, and the commercial determinants of health. Her work emphasizes community-engaged approaches and translating evidence into policies and interventions that improve population health outcomes, particularly among youth, marginalized communities, and refugee populations. 

She currently leads a robust portfolio of externally funded research and has authored nearly 130 peer-reviewed publications. Her scholarship has informed public health practice and policy globally, particularly in the areas of tobacco control and prevention. She also coordinates the Global Commercial Determinants of Health Action Network, an international collaboration of more than 150 scholars and practitioners working to better understand how commercial forces shape population health. 

Before joining 911±¬ÁÏ, Nakkash served on the faculty of the American University of Beirut, where she held multiple leadership positions, including coordinator of the Tobacco Control Research Group, co-director of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking Knowledge Hub, associate director of the Knowledge to Policy Center, and founder of the Public Health Education Office. Her leadership contributed to curriculum innovation, faculty development, accreditation readiness, and the strengthening of public health education programs. 

Nakkash holds a Doctor of Public Health degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is widely recognized for her contributions to prevention science, implementation research, and public health policy. 

As chair, she will continue advancing the department's mission to improve health and well-being through education, research, practice, and community engagement while helping position 911±¬ÁÏ as a national leader in public health innovation and workforce development.