Barkin named associate dean for research

Dr. Nicole Bromfield, dean of the East Carolina University College of Health and Human Performance, is pleased to announce Dr. Jennifer Barkin as HHP’s new associate dean for research. She is scheduled to begin in this role Nov. 1.

Barkin was promoted from assistant to full professor of community medicine and OBGYN within 10 years at Mercer University, while serving in various administrative and research-focused roles. She has been transformative as director of South Georgia Healthy Start, a federally funded initiative that serves 10 contiguous rural counties. Under Barkin’s leadership, South Georgia Healthy Start participant recruitment exploded, significantly exceeding Health Resources and Services Administration targets for enrollment across all subgroups. Barkin established it as a leading program nationally and achieved several accolades, including being featured via a documentary at the American Public Health Association annual conference in 2024.

Dr. Jennifer Barkin will serve as HHP’s associate dean for research. (contributed photo)

Barkin’s intellectual property, the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning, was developed during her time as a doctoral student at the Epidemiology Data Center at the University of Pittsburgh. The BIMF has been commercially licensed 13 times, including for the clinical trials for FDA-breakthrough postpartum depression medication Zulresso® (Brexanolone).

She is excited about her transition to ECU.

“I had a really good feeling about ECU — and that began with the recruitment process,” Barkin said. “The HHP leadership, faculty and staff were strategic, yet graceful and sincere, and those early interactions are often foretelling. As evidenced by the recent designation as a Research 1 institution, ECU and the College of Health and Human Performance have incredible momentum. I am committed to applying my energy and professional resources in a manner that augments, and potentially accelerates, this momentum at the college level. The beautiful, tree-canopied campus was a cherry on top.”

ECU announced its status as an R1 university in February.

Barkin earned her BS in statistics from Carnegie Mellon University, followed by two degrees from the University of Pittsburgh — a master’s in biostatistics and PhD in epidemiology. Her post-doctoral training in psychiatric epidemiology was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, which consistently ranks among the top-5 NIH-funded psychiatry departments in the U.S. She serves on six statewide taskforces and has provided expert testimony before the Georgia House of Representatives Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Committee. Her work has included a focus on the mental health effects of climate change on mothers and children. Her research has been featured by numerous national media outlets, including International Business Times, The Hill, The Science Times, NPR and MSN, in a piece entitled “Women Who are Dominating their Industries.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Barkin as the new associate dean for research in the College of Health and Human Performance,” Bromfield said. “Dr. Barkin brings an incredible record of scholarship, leadership and innovation in maternal health, as well as a deep commitment to advancing research that improves lives and strengthens communities.”

Dean Bromfield is grateful for Dr. Michele Wallen’s leadership and effectiveness as interim ADR for HHP. Dean Bromfield would also like to thank the search committee members, led by chair Dr. Alice Richman, for their dedicated service and participation in the search process.