Pauline Mendola, chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, was honored recently with the Distinguished Service Award from the American College of Epidemiology (ACE). This prestigious award recognizes Mendola’s exceptional contributions and dedication to the organization; the recipient is chosen by the group’s executive committee.

ACE is an organization of epidemiologists dedicated to continued education and advocacy for epidemiologists in their efforts to promote good science and the public health.

Mendola’s service to ACE is long-lived and comprehensive. She has been a member of the organization since 1995, having won the ACE Student Prize Paper award in 1994. Since that time, she has taken part as an active member of committees such as Membership, Awards and Mentorship; sat on the ACE board of directors; and served as president from 2016-19. She was also elected an ACE fellow in 2010, recognizing her significant and sustained contributions to the profession of epidemiology through research or leadership in the practice of epidemiology.

Mendola joined the UB faculty in 2020 as department chair. She previously was senior investigator in the Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health. Throughout her career, her research has focused on environmental factors that affect reproductive and pediatric health.