Public health dean is Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor

The dean of a school of public health, known for his rigor in research methods and uncompromisingly truthful communication of research findings, will be the 2022 Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor hosted by the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact.

David Allison is dean of the Bloomington School of Public Health at Indiana University, and highly regarded for his advocacy of thoroughness in research methods.

He has more than 600 scientific papers published, he is considered a leading thinker and researcher in the areas of obesity and nutrition, quantitative genetics, clinical trials, statistical and research methodology, and research rigor and integrity.

Allison will be speaking to faculty members of the department and the university as well as students in three lectures on zoom between March 8 and 11.

“Like Dr. Harry Lyman Hooker, I value scholarship, science and education,” said Allison. “I will be forever grateful for the honour of being selected as the 2022 Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor and for the privilege of exchanging ideas with my good-spirited colleagues and the students of McMaster University.”

Hooker was a physician who grew up in Hamilton and spent his career in practice in New York City. Upon his death in 1979, he left McMaster $25 million to support several initiatives. At the Faculty of Health Sciences, his legacy supports the visits of two distinguished speakers who are the Hooker Distinguished University Professors.

Allison is scheduled to lead the following lectures and discussion in March 2022:

Academic Lecture:

Topic: “Exploring the need and opportunities for greater rigor in science: Nutrition and obesity research as the exemplar”

This lecture is intended for faculty and students from the Faculty of Health Sciences but is open to everyone.

Tuesday, March 8, 2020 from 12-1 p.m. EST

Join this lecture via Zoom here.

University-wide Lecture:

Topic: “Obesity, exercise, diet and longevity: What do we conjecture and what do we know?”

This lecture is intended for faculty, students and staff from all faculties.

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from 4-5 p.m. EST

Join this lecture via Zoom here.

Student Lecture:

Topic: Student focused discussion and Q&A.

This lecture is intended for students from the Faculty of Health Sciences but is open to everyone.

Friday, March 11, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST

Join this lecture via Zoom here.