Decade of Dedication: Celebrating Dr. Marguerita Lightfoot
As part of our Decade of Dedication series, the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (SPH) is proud to honor Dr. Marguerita Lightfoot for her years of service, leadership, and transformative contributions to our school. Shaping the research and academic landscape of the SPH from its early days through its evolution into a thriving, collaborative community.
Dr. Lightfoot has more than 25 years of public health leadership experience, including serving as the inaugural SPH Dean for Research and as Director of multiple NIH-funded centers. She has advised federal agencies as a member of the National Advisory Mental Health Council, contributed to major National Academies committees, and serves on editorial boards across the field, including as an Associate Editor for the Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health.
Helping Build the School, One Foundation at a Time
When Dr. Lightfoot arrived, the School of Public Health was still in its infancy. She describes those early years with a familiar phrase: “flying while building the plane.” The joint nature of the institution brought exciting opportunities for innovation—but also frequent challenges.
“There were basic things like remembering which institution each faculty member worked for so you knew which email to use,” she recalls. “And bigger challenges, like the lack of clear guidance around advancement, promotions, and tenure.”
Undeterred, Dr. Lightfoot helped bring structure, clarity, and momentum to the SPH’s research infrastructure. One of her most significant contributions was revitalizing and strengthening the Academic Research Committee, establishing a consistent monthly meeting cycle and strategic agendas designed to advance the school’s research enterprise.
She also played a key role in launching and reestablishing initiatives that continue to benefit students and faculty today, including:
- A school-wide research retreat
- The annual Catalyst Award Program
- Kickstarter Awards – supporting doctoral students in disseminating their research
- Grant Writing Village – mentorship program aimed to expand the grant writing skills of early career faculty and provide opportunities for proposal development and peer support
These efforts helped enhance cohesion, build a vibrant research culture, and expand opportunities for scholars at all stages.
Witnessing and Shaping A Growing Community
Reflecting on her years of service in SPH, Dr. Lightfoot notes that one of the most meaningful changes has been watching the School’s sense of community come to life.
“I’ve felt the journey within the walls of the school itself,” she says. “Passing by students in the hallway, walking by the Student Success Center, seeing students and faculty talking in the kitchen—it feels like a ‘real’ school community now, not people from different institutions co‑habitating.”
This evolution has paralleled her own work. As her research team has grown to include both a postdoctoral scholar and a graduate student, she sees the next generation of scientists bringing energy, optimism, and new ideas into public health.
“Mentoring has always been important to me,” she shares. “Working with emerging scholars has me feeling optimistic about the future of science and scholarship.”
A Legacy of Leadership and Care
Dr. Lightfoot’s undeniable impact on the School of Public Health extends far beyond structures or programs. She has offered our community wisdom, stability, and a clear commitment to equity and scientific excellence. As we celebrate a Decade of Dedication, we extend our deepest appreciation to Dr. Lightfoot for her vision, her scholarship, and her dedication to improving the health and futures of young people everywhere.