INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 1, 2024 – The Fairbanks School of Public Health is proud to announce that Joshua Vest has been appointed as the associate dean for research, effective November 1, 2024. Vest has served as interim associate dean for research since April 2024, during which he has led significant initiatives to strengthen the school’s research infrastructure and expand interdisciplinary collaboration.
Vest joined the Fairbanks School in 2015, bringing with him an extensive background in public health research and leadership. His career began in epidemiology, with roles in local and state health departments before earning a PhD in Health Services Research from Texas A&M University. He has since held faculty positions in Georgia and New York and was promoted to full professor in Health Policy and Management in 2020.
As director of the Center for Health Policy, Vest established and strengthened key partnerships across Indiana, contributing to an impressive locally and federally funded portfolio of public health research projects that address community needs.
Since stepping into the interim role, Vest has initiated numerous activities that have strengthened the school’s research support and collaborative networks. These include launching interdisciplinary networking sessions and rechartering the FSPH Research Committee to bring together faculty across departments. To enhance faculty support, he introduced mentorship programs and developed grant-writing workshops and proposal development resources, which are now held regularly.
These resources have not only increased faculty success in securing research funding but have also contributed to the school’s reputation as a leading research institution at IU Indianapolis.
“Dr. Vest has been instrumental in building our school’s research infrastructure and expanding our capacity for impactful research,” said Nir Menachemi, professor and dean of the Fairbanks School. “His dedication to supporting faculty and fostering collaboration has positioned the Fairbanks School as a leader in public health research, both on our campus and across Indiana. We are excited to see the continued impact of his leadership in this role.”
Vest’s efforts to promote research quality, awareness, and engagement have also contributed to Fairbanks’s standing as one of IU Indianapolis’s top research-producing schools. The school has achieved high research proposal submission rates and impressive research funding per faculty member.
The Fairbanks School congratulates Vest on this new role and looks forward to his ongoing leadership as the school expands its research mission to impact Indiana communities and beyond.