Jay Magaziner, PhD, MSHyg
Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and Director, Center for Research on Aging
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Jay Magaziner, who served as chair of the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Department of Epidemiology and Public Health for 17 years, is an international leader in gerontology research whose contributions to the field of epidemiology have advanced the broader scientific community.
Under Dr. Magaziner’s leadership, the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health consistently ranked among the top 10 public health departments in schools of medicine in the nation, thanks in large part to his efforts to expand its scope to include critical areas such as global health sciences, cancer epidemiology, and preventive medicine. In 1986, he started the Division of Gerontology within the department and rose to leadership positions with several University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) programs on aging, many of which he helped to create, including the Doctoral Program in Gerontology and the Center for Research on Aging, whose mission is to advance interdisciplinary aging research across UMB. He also is one of the principal investigators of the University of Maryland Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, one of 15 National Institute on Aging centers committed to advancing independence in older persons.
Magaziner’s work is recognized globally for its impact on aging and public health, especially regarding the recovery of older adults following hip fractures. He has earned two consecutive Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) awards from the National Institute on Aging, given to the highest-quality researchers, and UMB recognized him as its Researcher of the Year in 2020.
His research has significantly influenced clinical practices and health care policies worldwide. Magaziner has led efforts to improve the quality of life for older adults recovering from hip fractures, addressing the physical and psychological components of recovery. His studies have focused on understanding the critical changes in bone, muscle, and function post-injury, which has informed rehabilitation protocols used globally. He established the Baltimore Hip Studies, one of the largest programs in hip fracture recovery globally, and remains active in the program, which remains a critical source of data for understanding the long-term outcomes of hip fracture.
Magaziner’s research has resulted in over 380 peer-reviewed publications and more than 23,000 citations.
Magaziner also is known for his commitment to education and mentoring. He founded the T32 Training Program in the Epidemiology of Aging in 1998, providing invaluable mentorship to emerging scholars in the field. Many of his trainees have become leaders in public health and epidemiology.
Magaziner has served as president of the Fragility Fracture Network and held leadership positions in the Gerontological Society of America and the American Epidemiological Society.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University, a master’s and PhD from the University of Chicago, and a master’s in hygiene from the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in epidemiology.
