Published January 29, 2025
Renee Cadzow, PhD, a biological anthropologist who studies patterns of human behaviors, culture and health, recently returned to the University at Buffalo in a new position. In her role as assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions, Cadzow performs research to improve regional health and reduce health disparities. In addition, she serves as co-director of the UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Recruitment and Special Populations Core. Cadzow’s previous UB employment was in the Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, where she focused on health disparities research and evaluation in both primary care and school settings and served as the director of evaluation for the New York State AHEC (Area Health Education Center) System.
Here, Cadzow shares how she became interested in a career in research, discusses her collaboration with Community Health Workers (CHWs), and offers advice for young people looking to learn more about being a researcher.
What made you decide to pursue a career in research?
Three things — a love of learning, the realization about the interconnectedness of everything during anthropology studies, and a commitment to social justice and equity. Also, I wanted to help document the issues that affect human health and disparities in outcomes as well as develop and test solutions.
How did your family impact that career interest?
My father holds a PhD in biochemistry and I spent my early years hanging out on Saturdays at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. My mother is a nurse and frequently brought home the stories of her patients, their health issues, and their experiences with the healthcare system. My brother holds an MD and a PhD and is active in research as well as healthcare advocacy. And my sister, a farmer and yoga instructor, keeps me connected to the breadth and depth of human experiences. My husband, Dan, is also trained in anthropology (archaeology). He has an uncanny ability to tie together seemingly disparate historical and current circumstances, often eliciting novel and compelling questions that are ripe for exploration.
Which career achievement makes you most proud?
I was able to maintain active engagement in research while also teaching a full load and chairing a department at another local institution. Throughout this time, I also built lasting, deep connections between many community, institutional and academic partners. I am very proud of my recent transition back to UB in the School of Public Health and Health Professions. Making a job/career change can be scary. Just over five months in, I know I made the right move.
Can you discuss your collaboration with Community Health Workers?
CHWs are trusted, carefully selected, skilled community members who bridge systems and communities toward improved health and wellbeing. I participated in a CHW stakeholder’s training in early 2012 after attending a community meeting where I learned about the CHW Network of Buffalo. The training was inspiring and transformative, and it led me to join their academic advisory group and ultimately the board of directors. I eventually went through a full CHW training and began to serve as a training facilitator. Over the last decade I have gotten to know hundreds of people doing this important work. In many ways CHWs are lay anthropologists, seeking to understand and navigate different cultures within our community and advocate for equitable resources and access to health.
Outside of academia, how do you like to spend your time?
I love spending time with my family, which includes my husband, our four children, and our two dogs. We travel, camp, hike, cook, bake, and collaborate on home improvement projects. We love to watch movies together and try new foods. On my own, I stay active by daily working out and I usually have a couple of fiction books on my nightstand. I love catching a play, ballet, or live music when I find a friend to join me.
Do you have any advice for young people who might be interested in learning more about becoming a researcher?
Stay curious and ask questions! Learn how to distinguish the reputable sources of information, and if you are in doubt, fact check. Also, do not try too hard to map out a straight path toward your desired career. It will take twists and turns that you will not expect. Find something interesting in everything and reflect on how the skills you learn can be transferred into other spaces. For example, my part-time early jobs as a newspaper carrier, grocery cashier, and baker helped me build time management skills for balancing competing responsibilities and social skills for collaborating with my co-workers and community partners.
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