School of Health Professions Dean Kristofer Hagglund is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Houston as chair of the Department of Public Health at the University of Missouri. 

Dr. Houston is a renowned researcher and expert in the fields of disaster communication, resilience, and mental health. His work has focused on the impact of disaster media coverage on both children and adults, the role of new media during crises, and the use of communication technologies to increase community resilience. 

“Dr. Houston brings significant leadership experience to the Department of Public Health,” said Dean Hagglund. “His focus on student success, practical research, and community involvement will advance this already successful department. Dr. Houston’s expertise and dedication to improving public health outcomes through effective communication will be invaluable to the communities we serve.” 

Dr. Houston is no stranger to Mizzou, having been a faculty member in the Department of Communication for 12 years and core faculty in the Department of Public Health since 2016. In this new role, he will oversee a team of dedicated professionals working to advance public health initiatives and research in the community. 

“I am excited to have been selected as chair of the Department of Public Health,” Dr. Houston said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue our efforts in improving the health and well-being of our communities through research and education. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic show how important public health is to our lives, and I’m honored to help lead this work at Mizzou.”