5 faculty named Lambeth Distinguished Chairs in Public Policy
The endowed chair is a five-year term professorship to recognize and honor outstanding teachers and scholars.
Five UNC-Chapel Hill faculty members have been named recipients of the Thomas Willis Lambeth Distinguished Chair in Public Policy, the Office of the Provost announced.
The endowed chair, funded by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, aims to recognize and honor outstanding teachers and scholars in public policy. The five-year term professorship is available only to faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, the Gillings School of Global Public Health, the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, the School of Government, the School of Law and the School of Social Work.
The work of these five faculty members contributes to the development of public policy in North Carolina and beyond, includes students, collaborates across schools and demonstrates the value of public service.
A distinguished professorship is one of the most prestigious and visible honors the University can bestow upon a member of the faculty, and it is a symbol of the value that their colleagues place on their scholarship and public service.
Joel Fodrie, professor in Earth, marine and environmental sciences department, College of Arts and Sciences
Fodrie, director of the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, is internationally known for his work and contributions to coastal and fisheries policy. In addition, Fodrie’s research has focused on the role of foundation species like oysters and saltmarsh plants in maintaining estuarine ecosystems. He’s mentored a significant number of graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have gone on to influential positions in environmental and marine sciences.
Mark Holmes, professor in health policy and management department, Gillings School of Global Public Health
Holmes, director of the UNC Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, has made substantial contributions to public health policy. His expertise, particularly in rural health issues, has made him a sought-after expert who frequently testifies before both state and federal legislative bodies. Holmes’ dedication to public service is evident in his work, where he centers the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations.
Jeff Hoopes, professor in accounting department, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
Hoopes has made significant contributions to the field of taxation through his research, teaching and public engagement. His research focuses on understanding how tax systems impact various stakeholders and has been widely published in top accounting, finance and economics journals. Holmes has been involved in mentoring doctoral students and co-hosts a popular podcast highlighting North Carolina-specific tax policy issues.
Cynthia Fraga Rizo, associate professor in School of Social Work
Rizo is a community-engaged social work scholar whose research focuses on preventing interpersonal violence, including intimate partner violence, sexual violence and human trafficking. Her research has had profound implications for practice and policy in North Carolina.In collaboration with key community stakeholders, she developed the “Teach2Reach” program, a sex trafficking prevention curriculum for middle and high school students and has worked with the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Rizo has also guided over 60 graduate students and co-authored numerous publications with them.
Amanda Thompson, professor in anthropology department, College of Arts and Sciences, and nutrition department, Gillings School of Global Public Health
Thompson is an accomplished scholar and leader in anthropology and public health, with contributions that extend from academia to public policy. Her work, particularly in understanding the relationships among breastfeeding, the gut microbiome, child growth and obesity has informed public policy in North Carolina, specifically through studies on maternal and infant health. She involves students in her research, often co-authoring publications, and provides unique opportunities for field work, particularly in the Galapagos Islands.
