BIO
Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1979, Dr. Winston Liaw is a prominent figure at the University of Houston, serving as Department Chair of Health Systems and Population Health Sciences. He is also a proud alumnus of Rice University. Dr. Liaw was born to two Taiwanese immigrants, who were the first in their families to move to the United States. Growing up, his father was a geophysicist, and his mother was a realtor; the two of them encouraged Dr. Liaw and his sister to pursue science-related professions. After attending Rice University for his undergraduate studies with a major in Biochemistry, Dr. Liaw obtained his MD from Baylor College of Medicine and his MPH (Master of Public Health) at the Harvard School of Public Health. He has experience working in a multitude of different roles, including in family medicine, health policy research, and teaching. He currently lives in Houston with his wife Eden and their two daughters. In this interview, Dr. Liaw shares intimate details about his early life, delving into his Taiwanese heritage and the cultural and familial influences that shaped him. He recounts his educational journey at Rice University and his post-graduation pursuit of a medical degree. As he discusses his current career in public health, Dr. Liaw also shares details about his role as a magister at Rice's residential Duncan College, illustrating his commitment to fostering resilience and personal connections within the college community. Dr. Liaw passionately explores his perspectives on the evolving landscape of medicine today, shedding light on his ambitious goals and vision for shaping a more impactful and compassionate future in the field.