Bre Banks, PhD, MA is a suicidologist and behavioral health scientist whose work focuses on suicide prevention, clinical education in behavioral health, and the integration of lived experience into clinical care. Her interdisciplinary research spans the development, implementation, and evaluation of novel suicide crisis interventions, with particular emphasis on provider training, peer support, and care transitions for persons at high risk for suicide.
Rodney T. Anthony, is a dynamic public health leader with a passion for building equitable systems, developing people, and transforming communities through strategic health initiatives. With more than a decade of experience across sectors, Dr. Anthony brings a unique blend of systems thinking, policy expertise, and workforce innovation. Known for his ability to turn strategy into action, Dr. Anthony specializes in creating scalable, data-informed solutions that address structural barriers to health.
Kendra LeSar is a public health professional with extensive experience planning, implementing, and evaluating public health programs. Her research interests include sexual and reproductive health, adolescent health, emerging infectious diseases, and community-driven public health interventions. She is deeply committed to innovative teaching methodologies, student mentorship, and the integration of equity-focused approaches in public health education. Dr. LeSar is passionate about bridging research, practice, and education to advance public health outcomes locally and globally.
Stephanie Bittner is a doctoral student in the Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences (SBPS), working at the intersection of public health communication, trust, and disease outcomes. Stephanie earned an MPH from Yale University and serves as a Senior Vice President at Edelman, where she specializes in nutrition science communication and research.
Carol Shirley is a DrPH candidate at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (expected completion Fall 2026). She joined the Board of Directors for the Society for Advancement of Violence and Injury Research in April of 2025 and also serves as co-chair of their Connection, Engagement, and Outreach committee.
Maren K. Levin, MS, has a background in genetics and cellular and molecular biology, with nearly 20 years of experience as a medical and scientific writer in breast cancer research. She has authored or co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts that have been published in journals such as Cancer Research and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. She has been invited to present her work at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.
