Prof. Pam Factor-Litvak, PhD

ACADEMIC HOST
Prof. Liat Lerner Geva
School of Health Professions

Saul J. Farber Distinguished Lectures in Medicine
10.10.26-24.10.26

Education

• B.A. in Chemistry – University of Rochester (1977)
• M.S. in Epidemiology – Harvard University (1979)
• M.Phil. in Epidemiology – Yale University (1980)
• M.Phil. in Epidemiology – Columbia University (1989)
• Ph.D. in Epidemiology – Columbia University (1992)
• Certificate, Leadership for Faculty Scholars – Columbia University Medical Center

Professional Experience

• Professor of Epidemiology at CUMC – Columbia University (2015–Present)
• Associate Dean for Research Resources – Columbia Mailman School of Public Health (2013–Present)
• Vice Chair of Epidemiology (Research) – Columbia Mailman School of Public Health (2019–2024)
• Visiting Scholar – Environmental and Health Fund, Jerusalem (2013–2020)
• Research Preceptor – Virginia Commonwealth University (2011–2015)
• Associate Professor of Epidemiology at CUMC – Columbia University (1999–2015)
• Assistant Professor of Public Health – Columbia University (1992–1999)
• Staff Associate – Columbia University (1989–1992)
• Graduate Research Assistant – Columbia University (1987–1989)
• Senior Research Associate – Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield (1986–1987)
• Research Associate – Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield (1984–1986)
• Research Coordinator – Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1981–1984)
• Research Assistant – National Cancer Institute / Children’s Hospital (1979)
• Research Assistant – The Health Foundation (1978)

Fellowships & Professional Organizations

• American Epidemiologic Society – Elected Member
• International Society for Children’s Environmental Health – Founding Member
• International Society of Environmental Epidemiology – Member
• International Epidemiological Association – Member
• Society for Pediatric Epidemiologic Research – Member
• Society for Epidemiologic Research – Member

Honors & Awards

• Yussef Hamied Fellowship – Collaborations in India (2020, 2023)
• Special Speaker Award – University of Indonesia (2020)
• Dean’s Award for Leadership – Mailman School of Public Health (2018)
• Award for Research Excellence – Society for Maternal and Fetal Medicine (2015)
• Elected Member – American Epidemiologic Society (2013)
• Elected Member – American College of Epidemiology (1997)
• Calderone Award for Junior Faculty Development (1993)
• Anna C. Gelman Award for Excellence in Epidemiology (1992)
• Graduate Student Award for Abstract – Society of Toxicology (1991)

Research Interests

• Prenatal & Childhood Heavy Metal Exposure: Health outcomes associated with environmental lead and arsenic exposures, including fetal outcomes, birth weight, proteinuria, immunity, child cognitive development, and the gut microbiome.
• Endocrine Disruptors & Chemical Mixtures: Developmental and reproductive effects of phthalates, pyrethroids, organochlorines, PCBs, and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) on preeclampsia, thyroid function, and child neurodevelopment.
• Life-Course Environmental Exposome & Neurological Diseases: The impact of in utero and life-course environmental exposures on midlife cognition, prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Essential Tremor.
• Global Urban Environmental Health: Air pollution, trash burning, and microRNA/microbiome variations related to child development in informal settlements and urban slums (specifically in India, Bangladesh, and East Africa).
• Methodology for Environmental Mixtures & Epidemiology: Epidemiologic study design, causal thinking, life-course methods, and novel statistical approaches (such as Principal Component Pursuit) to assess complex environmental mixtures.