Christina Paxson

Christina Paxson. An American economist and academic administrator, she has served as the 19th president of Brown University since 2012. Her tenure has been marked by significant initiatives in campus expansion, interdisciplinary research, and strengthening the university's financial foundation. Paxson's scholarly work is highly regarded in the fields of health economics, economic development, and public policy.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, she demonstrated early academic promise. She completed her undergraduate studies at Swarthmore College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Her intellectual interests then shifted toward economics and public affairs, leading her to pursue graduate studies at Columbia University. At Columbia, she earned both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, laying the groundwork for her future career in academia and research.

Academic career

Paxson began her academic career as an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at Princeton University. She rose through the ranks at Princeton, eventually becoming the Hughes Rogers Professor of Economics and Public Affairs and the dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Her administrative leadership at Princeton was noted for fostering collaboration between disciplines and strengthening the school's research mission. During this period, she also held affiliations with the National Bureau of Economic Research and served as a co-editor for prestigious journals like the Journal of Economic Perspectives.

Presidency of Brown University

Succeeding Ruth Simmons in 2012, her presidency launched Brown University into a period of ambitious growth and strategic planning. A cornerstone of her administration has been the BrownTogether capital campaign, which raised over $3 billion to support financial aid, faculty research, and campus facilities. She oversaw the development and implementation of the Building on Distinction strategic plan, which emphasized investments in areas like brain science, environmental change, and data science. Major physical transformations under her leadership include the construction of the Engineering Research Center and the renovation of the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library. She has also been a vocal advocate for need-blind admissions and strengthening the Open Curriculum.

Research and publications

Her research has made substantial contributions to understanding the economic determinants of health and well-being, particularly across the life course. A significant body of her work, often conducted with collaborators like Anne Case, investigates the long-term impacts of early-life events, such as exposure to disease or economic shocks, on later health and socioeconomic status. Her published studies appear in leading journals including the American Economic Review, the Journal of Political Economy, and the Demography. Her influential research on the Great Depression and its intergenerational health effects is frequently cited in the fields of economic history and epidemiology.

Awards and honors

In recognition of her scholarly and leadership contributions, she has been elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine. She is also a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and has served on the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Her work has been supported by grants from institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Category:American economists Category:American university and college presidents Category:Brown University people Category:Columbia University alumni Category:1960 births Category:Living people