Dr. Robert T. Fairman is an epidemiologist and biostatistician who utilizes his training in behavioral sciences to examine the mechanisms in which social and behavioral structures influence the health of communities he works with. Dr. Fairman’s research lies at the intersection of infectious diseases and substance use, focusing on the impact both have on intentionally and systemically marginalized communities. Further, his research examines the causal and structural mechanisms in which racism, discrimination, social vulnerability, serious psychological distress, and social injustice influences one’s health.

Dr. Fairman has held positions in local, state, and federal health organizations, where he actively conducted and supervised infectious disease outbreak investigations and surveillance, focusing on non-traditional settings such as jails, prisons, hospitals, schools, and childcare facilities. His research has been recognized nationally and internationally as an emerging scholar, and he regularly collaborates with colleagues internationally.

Dr. Fairman earned a PhD in Public Health from Georgia State University, where he was trained a Second Century Initiative Fellow of Tobacco Regulatory Science in the Georgia State Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS). He holds an MPH from Emory University, and a BS in Public Health Studies from University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®), as well as a Certified Level 1 CrossFit Coach