Celette Sugg Skinner

Celette Sugg Skinner, Ph.D., serves as Professor and Interim Dean of the Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center, holding the Parkland Community Medicine Professorship. She was inaugural Chair of the Department of Population & Data Sciences and served as 2022 President of the national Population Health Leaders in Academic Medicine organization.

Her educational background includes:

• M.A. in Communications Research from The Wheaton Graduate School
• Ph.D. in Health Behavior from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health

A pioneer in computer-tailored communications for over 30 years, Dr. Skinner develops multilevel behavior-change interventions targeting underserved populations through electronic health record integration. Her research bridges algorithm-driven tailored interventions with cancer prevention, health disparities reduction, and national dissemination strategies, evidenced by her leadership in NCI working groups since 1994 and the Cancer Moonshot initiative.

Her distinguished honors include:

• Parkland Community Medicine Professorship
• Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel Appointment (2016)

Dr. Skinner joined UT Southwestern in 2007 as Chief of Behavioral and Communication Sciences and founding Associate Director of Population Research for the Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center. Her prior leadership roles include Associate Director positions at Duke Cancer Institute, Washington University's Siteman Cancer Center (1993-1998), and Indiana University Simon Cancer Center (1991-1993), demonstrating sustained impact across major academic cancer centers. While specific student mentorship details aren't provided, her division chief and associate director roles indicate extensive advisory responsibilities throughout her career.