News

Sarah Stoddard, Ph.D., C.N.P., a nationally recognized interdisciplinary researcher and associate professor of Nursing and Health Behavior and Health Education, joins the Eisenberg Family Depression Center (EFDC) as the new faculty co-lead for the Data & Design Core.

“Dr. Stoddard leads impactful, interdisciplinary work advancing knowledge about adolescent substance misuse, youth violence and mental health. She has a clear, unwavering commitment to mentorship and using data to advance well-being,” said EFDC Director Srijan Sen, M.D., Ph.D. “She will be instrumental in the future of the Data & Design Core. We look forward to working alongside her.”

In addition to her faculty positions in the Schools of Nursing and Public Health, Stoddard currently serves as co-director of the Training and Education Core of the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center and co-director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health.

The EFDC Data & Design Core (DDC) provides researchers with individualized guidance throughout the study design and analytic processes. The Core connects researchers with valuable secondary data, an often-underutilized resource in research, to help draw meaningful conclusions more efficiently. Stoddard joins DDC's faculty co-lead, Briana Mezuk, Ph.D. Together, they'll oversee and guide the Core's current offerings, including the Research Incubator program, and explore ways to expand services. 

“Dr. Stoddard is an experienced researcher, clinician, teacher and mentor. She brings a wealth of knowledge and rich expertise to our Core,” said Meghan Seewald, Data & Design Core manager. “Throughout her career, she’s demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the lives of others. We’re thrilled to have her join our team.”

Before joining the University of Michigan, Stoddard worked as a public health nurse and pediatric nurse practitioner. At U-M, she has dedicated more than a decade to research, navigating the complex intersection of adolescent mental health, substance abuse and violence. Beyond her proven research capabilities, Stoddard is a recognized advisor, fostering growth among students and junior faculty members and leading the Ph.D. program at the School of Nursing.

Stoddard’s impact extends beyond academia. In 2021, she was appointed to the Community Preventive Services Task Force in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, she is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine.

“The Data & Design Core provides me with an opportunity to do what I enjoy most: work collaboratively and across disciplines to explore complex questions,” said Stoddard. “I look forward to engaging with emerging scholars from across campus to examine complex questions with results that could be the catalyst for innovative solutions to pressing mental health issues.”

Stoddard earned her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and joined the University of Michigan in 2011.