W. Susan Cheng, PhD, MPH
Associate Dean for Public Health Practice
Associate Professor, Social, Behavioral, & Populations Sciences and Epidemiology
W. Susan Cheng is a trained infectious disease epidemiologist, with a diverse background in STI research, pandemic preparedness, mental health, health disparities, and maternal and child health. Prior to joining academia, she served as PI and epidemiologist for the Native American Alliance for Emergency Preparedness program where she worked with the state of California, the federal Indian Health Service, all local health departments, and 105 tribes and reservations on infectious disease outbreaks, pandemic preparedness, and all hazards emergency preparedness. She spearheaded the development of a virtual Emergency Operations Center, which she then managed during the 2003 and 2007 California wildfires and the H1N1 outbreak. She also spearheaded the development of several large-scale pandemic exercises, including ones using virtual reality (Second Life) and gaming. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she consulted on a variety of response initiatives including testing, contact tracing, development and evaluation of pandemic response plans and activities, attitudes and perceptions of return-to-work policies, and development of pandemic response plans for developing nations.
Dr. Cheng is also the first Murphy Institute Professor in Science Policy and Communication where she trains doctoral fellows in transforming research findings into actionable policy and advocacy, and effective communication across wide audiences, and as well as a Home Institute Mentor for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholars Program. She currently serves as the chair of the Practice Section for the Associated Schools and Programs of Public Health and is a Distinguished Fellow in the Public Health Academy as part of the National Academies of Practice. She also serves on a study section for the VA focusing on mental health, maternal and child health, and rural health. Dr. Cheng has served as an Executive Council member, and chair of the Family Planning & Maternal and Child Health section, of the IL Public Health Association since 2013, where she leads efforts in developing policies and advocacy, coordination of activities across the state, and improving education, outreach, and engagement.
Isabella Parise, DrPHc, MPH
Assistant Director of Public Health Practice
Isabella Parise is an alumna of SPHTM and went from being a student and Graduate Assistant for the Office of Student Experience to a dedicated public health professional currently serving as the Assistant Director of Public Health Practice. In her role, she focuses on enhancing the educational experiences of students by developing innovative approaches that prepare them for successful careers in public health. With a strong commitment to community engagement, social justice, and equity, Isabella brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in public health practice. She is passionate about fostering collaborative relationships among students, faculty, and community partners to address pressing public health issues and promote health equity. She is also currently a SPHTM doctoral candidate.
Contact: iparise@Tulane.edu
