Nigel Paneth came to MSU in 1989 as a spousal recruit, and the College of Human Medicine consequently invited him to initiate a research and teaching program in epidemiology. Under his leadership, a master’s degree program was initiated in 1992 and a doctoral program in 2001. In 1997, the program became a department and since that time has grown in size and prominence, receiving significant external funding from NIH. Dr. Paneth is noted for his research in perinatal epidemiology with a particular focus on the determinants of brain damage, especially in cerebral palsy. He has published over 300 scientific manuscripts, authored or edited three books, and has been principal investigator of 13 NIH grants and contracts. His scientific expertise has earned him a place on many national and international committees, and several awards in recognition of his research contributions in maternal and child health and cerebral palsy. Perhaps his greatest contribution to this university stems from his personal connection to many students through his commitment to teaching and mentoring. He has mentored over 75 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of them in his NIH-supported research training program in perinatal epidemiology, the only such program in the nation. His students report that it is his gentle humility, passion, and unwavering integrity that is most responsible for capturing the hearts and minds of the many young scientists he has taught.
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