Professor, Department of Epidemiology
Additional Roles
Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, College of Medicine
Director, Arkansas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention
Director, Arkansas Center for Women’s Health (a Prevention Research Center)
Investigator, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute
Investigator, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Education
Ph.D. – Epidemiology, University of Texas at Houston, School of Public Health
M.P.H. – International and Family Health, University of Texas at Houston, School of Public Health
B.A. – Biology/Pre-Medicine, Wesleyan College
Areas of Expertise
Birth Defects
Fetal and Infant Mortality
Health Disparities
Maternal and Child Health
Pediatric Cancer
Introduction
Dr. Wendy Nembhard is the dean and a tenured professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the College of Public Health and a tenured professor in the College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics.
Credentials, Accreditations and Awards
- 2026 – present, Past-President, Society for Epidemiologic Research
- 2025 – 2026, President, Society for Epidemiologic Research
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2026 – 2026, Patricia Rodier Mid-Career Award in Research and Mentoring, Society for Birth Defects Prevention & Research
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2025 – 2025, Board of Director’s Award, National Birth Defects Prevention Network
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2025 – 2025, Extraordinary Woman Leader, The Children’s Heart Foundation
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2024- 2025, President-Elect, Society for Epidemiologic Research
- 2021 Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
- 2014- 2015 Fulbright Senior Scholar
- Fellow, Health Innovators Fellowship, Aspen Institute
- Fellow, Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine
- Fellow, American College of Epidemiology
- Fellow, American Heart Association
Teaching Focus
Dr. Nembhard teaches courses focused on epidemiology methods, chronic diseases and maternal and child health.
Research Overview
Her research interests include the etiology and epidemiology of birth defects, stillbirth, infant and maternal mortality as well as health disparities associated with these outcomes; pediatric cancer, and fetal origin of adult chronic disease.
Recent Books or Publications
Please view Dr. Nembhard’s publications at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1F9Hema875Rke/bibliography/public/