Drs. Sixia Chen and Amanda Janitz Named Presbyterian Health Foundation Presidential Professors

The Hudson College of Public Health is proud to announce that two of its esteemed faculty members, Dr. Sixia Chen and Dr. Amanda Janitz, have been named Presbyterian Health Foundation Presidential Professors at the 2025 HSC Faculty Awards ceremony, held April 24. This prestigious recognition highlights their exceptional achievements in teaching, research, mentorship, and service.

Presidential Professorships are awarded to outstanding faculty members who exemplify the highest ideals of scholarship and professional excellence. Recipients of this honor are recognized for their inspiring impact on students, meaningful engagement in research and creative activity, and dedicated service to their academic and professional communities. Each professorship is granted for a four-year term.

Dr. Sixia Chen, an accomplished Biostatistician and Associate Professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, is widely recognized for his methodological innovations and multidisciplinary collaborations. With over 112 publications and 180 professional presentations—many of which involve student co-authors—Dr. Chen demonstrates an unwavering commitment to mentorship and academic excellence. He has played a pivotal role in developing graduate curricula and short courses in biostatistics, and his leadership has supported the success of students and mentees who have received nearly 60 awards across national, regional, and local levels. His work contributes significantly to the advancement of public health research and education at both the local and national levels.

Dr. Amanda Janitz, Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, is a passionate educator and researcher whose work focuses on health disparities and cancer epidemiology. A committed mentor and instructor, Dr. Janitz engages graduate students in meaningful research experiences and rigorous training in epidemiologic methods. Her current projects include examining metabolic and environmental cancer risk factors among American Indian populations through the Strong Heart Study, and enhancing collaborative care for American Indian cancer patients through partnerships with the Stephenson Cancer Center. Her work exemplifies the college’s mission to improve public health through research and community engagement.

The Hudson College of Public Health congratulates Dr. Janitz and Dr. Chen on this remarkable achievement and celebrates their continued contributions as Presbyterian Health Foundation Presidential Professors.

Pictured is OU President, Joseph Harroz with Dr. Sixia Chen and Dr. Amanda Janitz