Fairbanks School of Public Health professor Brian Dixon, PhD, MPA, has been appointed director of the Regenstrief Institute’s Clem McDonald Center for Biomedical Informatics, effective December 1, 2024. Dixon, a long-time member of the Fairbanks School faculty, has served as interim director of the center since June 2022 and will also assume the Clem McDonald Chair of Biomedical Informatics.
Dixon is a professor of health policy and management at the Fairbanks School and director of the joint public health informatics program with the Regenstrief Institute. His groundbreaking research applies informatics tools to improve population health, focusing on leveraging electronic health records and big data to advance disease surveillance, optimize healthcare workflows, and enhance outcomes for vulnerable populations.
“We are incredibly proud of Brian and his appointment as director of one of the leading biomedical informatics centers in the world,” said Nir Menachemi, professor and dean of the Fairbanks School. “His work is emblematic of the mission of the Fairbanks School—combining innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact to improve public health at every level.”
Dixon’s research and leadership have earned him national recognition, particularly for his development of public health data dashboards for COVID-19, syphilis, and diabetes surveillance. He has also played a pivotal role in CDC-funded projects, including the Vaccine Safety Datalink and statewide surveillance systems for long COVID, maternal and child health, and diabetes in youth.
As an accomplished academic, Dixon has published over 175 peer-reviewed articles and currently chairs the Scientific Program Committee for the American Medical Informatics Association 2025 Annual Symposium, which will highlight public health informatics. He is a fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics.
Dixon earned his MPA from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a PhD in health informatics from the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. He joined the Regenstrief Institute in 2001 and has been a vital contributor to both Regenstrief and the Fairbanks School for over two decades.
“Brian’s appointment is a testament to his dedication and impact as a researcher and educator,” added Menachemi. “We look forward to continuing to work alongside him as he advances the field of informatics and shapes the future of public health and healthcare.”