Perri Carroll: A Passion for Public Health and Research 

For Perri Carroll, public health is more than just a profession—it’s a lifelong commitment to improving community well-being through research and advocacy. As a Research Program Manager at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity (CHE), she plays a pivotal role in the UNLOAD Heart Failure Project, helping individuals with type 2 diabetes reduce their risk of heart failure. Her journey into public health has been shaped by a deep desire to serve, a strong academic background, and transformative real-world experiences. 

Carroll’s career in public health wasn’t always set in stone. She originally pursued a degree in biology, with plans to enter dentistry or genetic counseling. Her outlook shifted, however, when she spent four months in Nicaragua working on a clean water sanitation campaign. 

“Everyone there had their Master’s of Public Health. They were Peace Corps workers, and I enjoyed it so much,” she says. “I thought, I like talking to people. Maybe I shouldn't be working in a wet lab, pipetting by myself.” 

That experience solidified her decision to pursue a Master's of Public Health at the University of Maryland. Through her studies, she worked with the International Rescue Committee, focusing on vaccination programs and health campaigns for Syrian and Congolese refugees. “That’s when I knew—health disparity research, this is where my focus should be.” 

At CHE, Carroll manages a research team working to improve fitness and heart health for people with type 2 diabetes. “Our project is really here to help improve the lives of people with type 2 diabetes—trying to improve their fitness and making sure they do not end up with heart failure,” she says. 

Her role requires overseeing the project from inception to implementation, a process she finds deeply rewarding. “It has been a lot of fun, being able to work with faculty and staff to build this project from the ground up,” she says. “We started with just a grant approval and had to figure out everything—protocols, job responsibilities, data collection, recruitment—until we finally got to where we are now: actually enrolling participants into the study.” 

“That’s when I knew—health disparity research, this is where my focus should be.” 

For Carroll, the small victories along the way keep her motivated. “Research is so long-term that you have to celebrate the little wins,” she says. “Getting institutional review board (IRB) approval, recruiting our first 50 participants—those moments remind you that all the hard work is leading to something meaningful.” 

Public health research often comes with unexpected challenges, and Carroll thrives on problem-solving. “You have to be flexible. There are always crazy challenges and obstacles that you don’t think of,” she says. “Then you’re like, okay, how can I be strategic about this so we can continue the project and keep moving forward?” 

Like many professionals in public health, Carroll’s journey has been shaped by mentorship and networking. Her introduction to CHE came through the Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute's Bunting Neighborhood Leadership Fellowship, which connects emerging public health leaders with mentors in the field. 

“I got to meet someone from CHE, and at the time, I was looking for a job. She reached out and said, ‘Hey, we have some manager positions open—do you want to interview?’” Carroll says. “I actually had another job offer, but I thought, let me see what CHE is like. And obviously, I took this job instead.” 

She acknowledges how invaluable these professional connections have been. “Public health in Baltimore is truly ‘Smalltimore,’” she says. “You meet one person, and suddenly they connect you to your next opportunity. That’s just how this field works.” 

For Carroll, public health is more than just data collection and policy—it’s about making a tangible difference in people’s lives. Her enthusiasm is evident in the way she speaks about her work. 

“I love this job,” she said. “It’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling. Seeing a research project go from an idea to something that’s actively helping people—that’s what keeps me going.” 

With her passion, dedication, and commitment to health equity, Perri Carroll continues to make a lasting impact in the field of public health research.