Virginia Howard

Virginia Howard is a Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), holding appointments in the School of Public Health and multiple interdisciplinary centers including the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE). She has been at UAB since 1999, progressing from Assistant Professor to her current rank. Her research focuses on cardiovascular epidemiology, stroke prevention, and health disparities, particularly in Black and White populations. She leads the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) cohort study, a landmark NIH-funded effort tracking over 30,000 participants to identify risk factors for stroke and cardiovascular disease.

Education

• PhD in Epidemiology, Medical University of South Carolina (2008)
• MS in Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1982)
• BA in Mathematics, St. Andrews Presbyterian College (1975)

Research Interests
Her work integrates population-based epidemiology with clinical and translational research. Key areas include:

• Stroke etiology and prevention
• Racial disparities in cardiovascular outcomes
• Impact of lifestyle and biomarkers on hypertension
• Post-stroke cognitive decline
• Implementation of evidence-based care in stroke management

Grants & Collaborations
Dr. Howard leads or co-leads numerous NIH-funded projects. Notable collaborations include the CREST (Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs. Stenting Trial) and C3FIT (Coordinated Stroke Care Trial). She directs UAB's Epidemiology Department and serves on multiple national advisory boards.

Labs/Teams
Affiliated with the UAB Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center, Comprehensive Diabetes Center, and other interdisciplinary groups focusing on aging, outcomes research, and community health.