“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Honda to the Quinnipiac community,” Provost Debra Liebowitz said. “He brings to Quinnipiac a distinguished career that blends academic leadership, clinical practice and interdisciplinary health education. He brings experience as a practicing physician assistant, clinical PA educator and accomplished researcher. His background and expertise are well-aligned with the School of Health Sciences’ expansive and evolving programs.”

Honda said he was drawn to Quinnipiac for its “unwavering commitment to student-centered education, its spirit of innovation in health professions training, and its deep partnerships with communities.”

"I believe in the power of higher education to transform health care — not just by preparing practitioners, but by cultivating leaders, changemakers and innovators,” he said. “At Quinnipiac, I see an opportunity to shape a school that reimagines how we train future health professionals: one that breaks down silos, embraces emerging technologies and artificial intelligence and partners boldly with communities and stakeholders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time.”

Honda joins Quinnipiac from Northeastern University’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences, where he served as the founding associate dean of the School of Clinical and Rehabilitation Sciences since 2021. Prior to that, he was an associate professor and division chief in the department of family and preventive medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. There, he led a top-ranked physician assistant program, a primary care clinical enterprise and several international partnerships aimed at advancing global health initiatives.

An environmental epidemiologist and dedicated educator, Honda’s research focuses on the use of epidemiologic methods and data analytics to assess the health impacts of environmental pollutants and air toxicants. His work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Center for Construction Research and Training and the Physician Assistant Education Association.

Honda is widely published and currently serves as editor-in-chief of the “Journal of Physician Assistant Education” and “Environmental Health Insights.” He has held multiple national and international leadership roles and is recognized for his innovation in program development, faculty and student mentorship and community engagement. While at Northeastern, he received the Bouvé College of Health Sciences’ “Distinguished Educator Award.”

He also has led a faculty practice and built strong partnerships with health systems to expand student learning opportunities and enhance community impact. A visionary leader, Honda is deeply committed to integrating research into educational settings, enriching the academic experience for students and faculty alike.

Honda earned his doctorate in population health from Northeastern University, a master’s degree in medical science from St. Francis University of Pennsylvania, and a physician assistant degree from Moreno Valley College. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from California State University.