Jeannette Ickovics, PhD
Biography
Research & Publications
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Appointments
Biography
Jeannette R. Ickovics is the Samuel and Liselotte Herman Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Professor of Psychology at Yale University. She served as Dean of Faculty at Yale-NUS College in Singapore from 2018-2021, responsible for faculty development and curriculum across the Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities. At the Yale School of Public Health, Dr. Ickovics was Founding Director of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the School of Public Health (2002-2012) and Founding Director of CARE: Community Alliance for Research and Engagement as part of Yale's inaugural Clinical and Translational Science Award (2007-2017). She was also Deputy Director for the Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS where she was Director of an NIH training program for pre- and post- doctoral fellows for 15 years (now in its 24th year).
Dr. Ickovics’ research investigates the interplay of complex biomedical, behavioral, social and psychological factors that influence individual and community health. She uses this lens to examine challenges faced by those often marginalized by the health care system and by society. She has expertise running large, scientifically rigorous clinical trials in community settings. Her community-based research – funded with more than $40 million in grants from the NIH, CDC, and private foundations – is characterized by methodological rigor and cultural sensitivity. In addition to other grants, she has been Principal Investigator on two NIH-funded multi-site randomized controlled trials on an innovative model of group prenatal care, demonstrating >33% reduction in preterm birth and other positive health outcomes for mothers and babies. Based on these results, The United Health Foundation funded a dissemination study of group prenatal care, with an eye toward national scale-up. Dr. Ickovics also was Principal Investigator of a public-private evaluation with Merck for Mothers (evaluating the use of community health workers for pregnant women with chronic disease), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, and an NIH-funded randomized controlled obesity prevention trial at 12 middle schools in collaboration with the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health and the New Haven Public Schools. She is author of more than 225 peer-reviewed publications.
Her newest work, funded by NASA, the Rockefeller Foundation, Yale Planetary Solutions, and the Hecht Faculty Network Award at the Yale Institute for Global Health, focuses on climate resilience, health, and equity. She is working in a close transdisciplinary collaboration with the Resilient Cities Network, representing 100 cities and 220 million residents globally, in low-middle and high-income countries. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Eden Project (United Kingdom, educational charity and social enterprise, nature-based solutions). Dr. Ickovics is recipient of national awards and recognition, including most recently the Martha May Elliot Award honoring extraordinary health services to mothers and children from the American Public Health Association (2023), the Strickland-Daniel Mentoring Award from the American Psychological Association (2018), and elected a Fellow of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research. She is Chair of the Board of Scientific Affairs of the American Psychological Association, and an inaugural member of their Climate Change Advisory Group.
Education & Training
- DScMuhlenberg College, Honorary (2012)
- MAYale University, Honorary (2008)
- Post-Doctoral FellowYale University (1991)
- PhDGeorge Washington University, Applied Social Psychology (1989)
- BAMuhlenberg College, Psychology (1984)
Activities
- Dean of FacultySingapore, Singapore (2018-2021)Dean of Faculty
- Research collaborationNewcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom 2017Research and consultation on group medical visits.
- Research CollaborationDetroit, MI, United States; Nashville, TN, United States 2016Translational research, group prenatal care
Honors & Recognition
Award | Awarding Organization | Date |
---|---|---|
Martha May Eliot Award - contributions in maternal and child health | American Public Health Association | 2023 |
Fellow, Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research | Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research | 2021 |
Strickland-Daniel Mentoring Award | American Psychological Association | 2018 |
Outstanding Community Partner Award (Partner for Health Change), 2016 | New Haven Public Schools | 2016 |
Master Lecturer, 2015 | American Psychological Association, Board of Scientific Affairs | 2015 |
Women of Innovation Award, Research Innovation and Leadership, 2015 | Connecticut Technology Council | 2015 |
CEA Winslow Award, Highest Honor, Leadership in Public Health Practice and Research with Commitment to Social Justice, 2015 | Connecticut Public Health Association | 2015 |
Winslow Centennial Honor Roll for Excellence and Service, Outstanding Contribution to Public Health,2015 | Association of Yale Alumni | 2015 |
Harvard Health Acceleration Challenge Finalist - Expect With Me recognized as an innovation in health care | Harvard Schools of Business and Medicine | 2014 |
Hemsley Challenge Finalist, Health Care Innovation for Expect With Me | United Health Group | 2014 |
Healthcare Hero, Community Service | Connecticut Business News | 2013 |
Leadership in Healthcare Award, 2013 | Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce | 2013 |
Doctor of Science, Honorary Degree Recipient | Muhlenberg College | 2012 |
Honorary Degree Recipient, Doctor of Science, 2012 | Muhlenberg College | 2012 |
Yale/Seton Elm and Ivy Award, For outstanding contributions towards improved relations between New Haven and Yale University, for community-based research on women's health | Yale University | 2003 |
Fellow, Division of Health Psychology (Division 38), Society for the Psychology of Women (Division 35), Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (Division 9) | American Psychological Association | 2002 |
Early Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest | American Psychological Association | 2000 |
Committee on Women in Psychology Distinguished Emerging Leader Award | American Psychological Association | 1999 |
National Frontrunner Protegee Award (Science and Humanities) | Sara Lee Foundation | 1999 |
Professional Service
Organization | Role | Date |
---|---|---|
Scientific Affairs, American Psychological Association (APA) | Board Member | 2022 - Present |
Departments & Organizations
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS
- Climate Change and Health
- Obesity Research Working Group
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- WHRY Pilot Project Program Investigators
- Women's Health Research at Yale
- Yale Institute for Global Health
- Yale School of Public Health
- Yale Ventures
- Yale-UPR Integrated HIV Basic and Clinical Sciences Initiative