Jaclyn White Hughto, Ph.D., MPH and Alison Tovar, Ph.D., MPH 

Drs. Jaclyn (Jackie) Hughto and Alison Tovar join Advance RI-CTR as Co-Leads of the Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) Core, effective immediately. They will work closely with current CEO Core Co-Lead, Charles Eaton, MD, and with Program Director, Dr. Sharon Rounds, Program Coordinator, Dr. Edward Hawrot, and Administrative Director, Dr. Anya Rader Wallack.

As CEO Core Co-Leads, Drs. Hughto and Tovar will lead and coordinate our community engagement efforts. Their roles extend beyond academia, encompassing meaningful collaborations with community organizations and advisory boards. Together, they will ensure the successful implementation of community-centered research projects within Advance RI-CTR.

Jackie Hughto, Ph.D., MPH, is an Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health. Trained as a social epidemiologist, Dr. Hughto’s work revolves around identifying and disrupting the multifaceted factors that contribute to health inequities. She has a particular focus on studying the impact of stigma on the health of marginalized populations, including sexual and gender minority communities, people who use drugs, and those living with HIV.

Alison Tovar, Ph.D., MPH, is an Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences and affiliated with the Center for Health Equity Research in the Brown University School of Public Health. Her research focuses on understanding factors that shape eating behaviors early in life among historically marginalized populations, developing community-based interventions among these populations and evaluating policies that promote healthy eating. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Dr. Tovar brings a wealth of experience and a global perspective to her role.

Both Hughto and Tovar bring valuable assets to Advance RI-CTR’s community engagement efforts. Their dedication and work on improving health equity align perfectly with our mission.

Advance RI-CTR extends heartfelt gratitude to the former lead of the CEO Core, Dr. Amy Nunn. Under her leadership, the CEO Core established the Community Advisory Action Board (CAAB) and Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN), which have been instrumental in translating research from Advance RI-CTR into clinical public health practice and policy.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Drs. Jackie Hughto and Alison Tovar and in expressing our gratitude to Dr. Amy Nunn for her important contributions.