Faina Linkov

Dr. Linkov is a multidisciplinary researcher with research interests in chronic disease prevention, health systems research, global health, scientific communications, and research productivity. In the area of molecular epidemiology, her work focused on the use of biological tumor markers to detect malignancies at early stages and on the link between obesity, biobehavioral factors, and cancer. Dr. Linkov's longitudinal investigations have made significant contributions to the emerging view that intentional weight loss may play a significant role in the prevention of malignancies and normalization of aging associated biomarkers, especially through inflammatory pathways. Dr. Linkov has been also focusing on the development of improved patient-centered approaches for translating scientific knowledge about disease prevention into clinical practice. Her recent work involves quantitative and qualitative investigations of staff turnover in long term care setting with the goal of improving elderly patient care and improved outcomes.

In the area of global health Dr. Linkov has been active in initiating research work with several groups in Asia publishing on the public health challenges in Kazakhstan, including cancer prevention, nutritional deficiency prevention, and COVID pandemic aftermath. Dr. Linkov worked with the National Academies of Science on Engaging Scientists in Central Asia on Data Governance Principles for Life Science Data. Dr. Linkov's interest in science education led her to be one of the core developers of the Supercourse of Science project at the Library of Alexandria in Egypt. This effort focused on expanding teaching efforts in the developing countries in four key areas, including Global Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Engineering. Dr. Linkov was one of the core developers of the Global Health Network Supercourse project, one of first Internet repositories of Public Health knowledge.

In 2024-2025, The Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law at Duquesne University accepted Dr. Linkov for the Grefenstette Center Faculty Scholar Fellowship. This fellowship helps to expand on Dr. Linkov’s interest in generative AI and the responsible use of digital technology, especially in conversation with faith traditions.

Dr. Linkov's research career has been extremely productive with over 100 original research publications and reviews. She has been a recipient of multiple grants and awards, including a Mentored Research Award from the American Cancer Society, Phi Beta Psi Sorority Foundation Department of Defense, Scaife Foundation, CDC, Hillman Foundation, USAID, Government of Kazakhstan, and NATO. Dr. Linkov was named AAAS fellow in 2020, the first female faculty member to have such distinction at Duquesne University

• Ph.D., Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 2005
• MPH, Behavioral and Community Health Science, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 2001
• B.S. Psychology, University of Pittsburgh

• Global health
• Long term care
• Cancer epidemiology
• Women's health
• Health services research
• Scientific productivity
• AI ethics