CHPHE's Dr. Patricia Risica, Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Epidemiology, is the recipient of the School of Public Health's 2020 Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Each year, in conjunction with National Public Health Week, the School honors exceptional faculty members with Dean's Awards for their service to the School and to the field of public health.

Dr. Risica's research interests include obesity, nutritional epidemiology and eating behaviors; the influence of location of fat on the body with disease risk; breastfeeding; diabetes; smoking cessation and avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke; heart disease and obesity; early detection of melanoma; and opioid use and disposal after surgery.

Among the many who wrote with stories of how Dr. Risica helped them to achieve their goals, one doctoral student said, "She reminds me of my goals when I am beginning to lose sight of them and understands the nuances of when to push back or lean in. Many view doctoral programs as a taxing program, conducting research for an advisor. Dr. Risica strives to have her students work with her, not for her."