About George Washington University

Dr. Christina Heminger, a Teaching Associate Professor at The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, brings extensive expertise in behavioral theory for health promotion and disease prevention to her role. With a DrPH and MS degree, she specializes in program evaluation, policy analysis, and health communication, employing both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Her research experience spans chronic disease prevention and control, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. As an educator, Dr. Heminger teaches exclusively in GW's MPH@GW online program, serving as Course Director for key courses and chairing the GWSPH Master Teacher Academy. Her teaching excellence was recognized with the 2017 Excellence in Teaching Award. Through courses like "Pathways to Public Health" and "Maternal and Child Health," Dr. Heminger aims to bridge behavioral theory with practical applications in public health, preparing the next generation of public health professionals to address complex health challenges effectively.

Dr. Andrew Wiss, the Assistant Dean for Academic Innovation and a Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Health Policy and Management at The George Washington University, brings a unique blend of expertise to his role. Holding a PhD and EdM, Dr. Wiss focuses his professional work, research, and teaching on leveraging emerging technologies to enhance learning and performance in public health education. His approach emphasizes the critical roles of human-centered design, motivation, and organizational structure in fostering continuous learning and development. As Assistant Dean for Academic Innovation, Dr. Wiss likely spearheads initiatives to integrate cutting-edge educational technologies and methodologies into the university's public health programs. Through his multifaceted work, Dr. Wiss aims to revolutionize public health education by creating more engaging, effective, and technologically advanced learning experiences that prepare students for the evolving challenges in the field of public health.

Dr. Nitasha Chaudhary Nagaraj is an Assistant Teaching Professor at The George Washington University (GW) Milken Institute School of Public Health in the Department of Prevention and Community Health. With a DrPH and MPH from GW, her academic journey has led her to focus on improving the development and well-being of girls and women through community-based interventions. Dr. Nagaraj's research centers on evaluating programs related to domestic violence, youth development, family violence, girls' empowerment, and gender sensitization in both the U.S. and India. As an educator, she teaches courses on Evaluation, Reproductive Health, and leads a Senior Seminar capstone course for undergraduates. Additionally, she serves as the Faculty Practicum Co-Director for the MPH@GW program. Dr. Nagaraj's commitment to social impact extends beyond academia, as she holds executive board positions with the Global India Fund and the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP). Through her multifaceted roles in teaching, research, and community engagement, Dr. Nagaraj strives to bridge academic knowledge with practical interventions to empower women and girls and address critical public health challenges.

Dr. Karen McDonnell, an Associate Professor of Prevention and Community Health at George Washington University, is a distinguished public health program evaluation and implementation specialist with over two decades of experience collaborating with community groups, public health agencies, and healthcare systems globally. Her expertise lies in utilizing mixed methods to address complex public health challenges, particularly in maternal and child health. Dr. McDonnell's recent work includes fostering health equity in maternal health outcomes in Washington DC and developing community-centered FGM/C prevention projects. As a faculty member in the MCH program, she teaches Program Evaluation and Maternal and Child Health courses, sharing her extensive knowledge with students and medical residents. Her exceptional teaching has been recognized with multiple awards, including the ASPPH Early Career in Public Health Teaching Award and the Milken Institute SPH Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. McDonnell is also a member of the ASPPH Academy of Distinguished Teachers and contributes to the NASEM Global Forum on innovation in health profession education, further solidifying her role as a leader in public health education and research.

Dr. Amita N. Vyas is a Professor at the George Washington University (GW) School of Public Health, where she directs the MPH Maternal and Child Health program and the GW Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health. With a PhD in Population and Family Health Sciences and an MHS in Demography from Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Vyas has dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of adolescent girls and women globally. As the Founder of the Global India Fund and a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council South Asia Center, she extends her impact beyond academia. Dr. Vyas's contributions to public health education have been recognized with numerous awards, including the GW Bender Teaching Award and the National Delta-Omega Honor Society Award for Innovative Curriculum. Her research focuses on maternal and child health issues both in the U.S. and internationally, bridging academic knowledge with practical interventions. Through her multifaceted roles in teaching, research, and global health initiatives, Dr. Vyas continues to shape the field of maternal and child health, preparing the next generation of public health professionals to address critical challenges in women's and children's health worldwide.

Dr. Monica S. Ruiz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Prevention and Community Health at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. With a PhD and MPH, Dr. Ruiz has dedicated her career to addressing health risks disproportionately affecting vulnerable and marginalized populations. Her research focuses on persons who use drugs and individuals from racially and ethnically diverse communities. Dr. Ruiz's work spans evaluating addiction treatment workforce training and examining factors influencing HIV infection and opioid overdose risk, including gentrification and housing instability. As co-director of GWU's Maternal and Child Health Center of Excellence, she leads a community-academic partnership addressing mental health disparities among African American youth in DC's Ward 5. Dr. Ruiz's multifaceted research portfolio reflects her commitment to understanding and mitigating the complex social, contextual, and structural factors that contribute to health disparities. Through her work, she aims to develop evidence-based interventions and policies to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations and advance health equity.