Melinda Aldrich, M.P.H., Ph.D.

Vanderbilt University 

Why do you want to serve as leader of the College?

I would be honored to serve a second three-year term on the Board of Directors and am particularly keen to serve on the Board during its transition with a new management company and revised strategic plan. My experience spans over a decade with ACE and has been immensely valuable, providing me with insight at multiple levels within the College. Having started with ACE as an Associate Member on the Board of Directors and then continuing as a Member on the Membership and Policy Committees has provided me with first-hand experience necessary for serving on the Board of Directors. My current position as Board Member on the International Network for Epidemiology in Policy gives me the global lens through which I bring my experience and insight to the ACE Board of Directors. I will advocate for the expanded growth of ACE through networking and collaborating with our national and international colleagues.

What are your qualifications and experiences that will help you in service as a leader?

Dr. Melinda Aldrich holds an MPH in Epidemiology/Biostatistics and PhD in Epidemiology from the University of California, Berkeley. She is currently faculty in the Department of Medicine (Division of Genetic Medicine and Division of Epidemiology) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Aldrich has an established research program focused on identifying genetic and non-genetic risk factors for lung cancer, with an emphasis on understanding racial/ethnic differences in disease. Dr. Aldrich has been an active member with ACE for 13 years. Her service with ACE began when she was elected to be the second Associate Member to serve on the Board of Directors from 2006-2007. As an Associate Member, she took an active role in the Program Committee for the North American Congress of Epidemiology. Since then she has been involved with ACE on the Membership Committee (holding the positions of Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chair) and now serves on the ACE Policy Committee. Dr. Aldrich is also now serving as the ACE Representative on the Board of the International Network for Epidemiology in Policy (INEP). As part of her contributions to INEP, she co-authored with Australian colleagues a policy brief on gender equity in epidemiology. Dr. Aldrich brings a depth of perspective and experience having served with ACE in various capacities over the last 13 years.