Rangos School Names Health Administration and Public Health Chair

Dr. Faina Linkov has been named chair of the Department of Health Administration and Public Health at the John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences effective July 1.

Dr. Faina Linkov
Dr. Faina Linkov

Linkov, whose research interests range from biological markers for detecting early-stage malignancies to health system infrastructure optimization, was previously an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

“We are truly excited to welcome Dr. Linkov to Duquesne. As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates, the role of public health is vital in maintaining the health and safety of society,” said Rangos School Dean Dr. Fevzi Akinci. “Dr. Linkov’s expertise in biomedical research, health care administration, and public and global health will greatly benefit our students, preparing them for future challenges and 21st century success.”

Duquesne is home to Pittsburgh’s only undergraduate public health program, an interdisciplinary offering in which students can focus on the scientific or social dimensions of public health while earning their degree. The Rangos School offers both a bachelor’s and master’s program in health administration.

Linkov’s primary research interest is gynecologic malignancies, with a focus on investigating the connection between biological markers and cancer-risk reduction. In her recent research on biomedical informatics, Linkov worked on several cancer registries-based projects with the aim of using existing reportable data to help improve medical efficiency and public health. She also helped to shape global health education as a part of the Global Health Network Supercourse project.

Linkov is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Association for the Advancement in Science. In 2012, she received the University of Pittsburgh’s Cancer Institute Scholar Award for meritorious biobehavioral research. Linkov has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and chapters on various aspects of gynecologic disease, epidemiology, education and public health. She is the founding editor-in-chief of the Central Asian Journal of Global Health.

Linkov received her doctoral degree in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and completed her post-doctoral training at Pitt in the School of Rehabilitation Science.