Primary Faculty Within the Social and Behavioral Interventions Program Area

Caitlin Kennedy PhD ’09, MPH ’04, is a social and behavioral scientist with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention, and resource-limited settings.

Haneefa Tasleem Saleem, PhD ’14, MPH, ’09, studies how to improve the sexual and reproductive health of people living with HIV and to mitigate the risks of injection drug use.

Julie Denison, PhD '06, MHS '99, develops interventions for youth living with HIV, with a focus on the role of family and environmental and structural determinants of health.

Melissa Walls, PhD, MA, is an Indigenous researcher who works with American Indian and First Nations communities to promote health equity through culturally centered projects.

Peter J. Winch, MD, MPH ’88, develops and evaluates interventions to promote health behaviors for water, sanitation, infectious diseases, and environmental sustainability.

Svea Closser, PhD, MPH, studies the social relations and political dynamics that shape infectious disease control.

Victoria M. O’Keefe, PhD, MS, works to achieve strengths-based and culturally informed suicide prevention, mental health promotion, and wellness among Indigenous communities.

Allison Barlow, PhD, MPH ’97, MA, works with Native American communities to co-create strengths-based programs promoting health and education equity and well-being.

Anita Shankar, PhD, MS, researches and develops behavioral interventions to foster personal agency and leadership in vulnerable populations to support human flourishing.

Dane Hautala, PhD, MA, studies substance use epidemiology and treatment across life spans in American Indian and First Nations communities.

Elli Leontsini, MD, MPH ‘88 specializes in the design of feasible and sustainable behavioral and community-centered vector control and hygiene strategies internationally.

Emily E. Haroz, PhD ’15, MHS ’11, MA, researches the implementation of mental health and suicide prevention programs, particularly in partnership with Indigenous communities.

Laura Beres, PhD ’19, MPH, uses implementation science and participatory approaches to optimize engagement in HIV prevention, care, and treatment services globally.

Lauren Tingey, PhD, MPH ‘08, MSW is a social & behavioral health scientist working with Native American communities to promote sexual/reproductive health equity.

Allison Ingalls, MPH, coordinates Native American behavioral/mental health research initiatives in partnership with urban and rural tribal communities across the U.S. 

Anna Sundbo, MGH, manages the Center for American Indian Health’s research and training programs, including culturally tailored course delivery and evaluation.

Fiona Grubin, MSPH ‘19, coordinates research and practice projects related to mental and behavioral health, health equity, suicide prevention, and Indigenous health.

Hannah Marker, MPH ‘18, uses community-based, behavior change approaches and training programs to protect local environments and empower women to achieve their goals.

Ping Teresa Yeh, MSPH ’16, uses qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate strategies to improve the health of people living in resource-limited settings.