Anna C Rivara

Anna C Rivara is an Assistant Professor in the Peter O' Donnell School of Public Health at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, specializing in diabetes research and implementation science for underserved populations. Her work bridges anthropological perspectives with public health interventions to improve chronic disease outcomes.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor's in Anthropology from the University of Oregon
• Master of Arts in African Studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• MPH (Infection Control) and PhD in Applied Anthropology from the University of South Florida
• Global Health Equity Scholars Fellowship at Yale School of Public Health (NIH Fogarty/NIDDK-funded)
• Postdoctoral Associate and Associate Research Scientist roles at Yale School of Public Health

Dr Rivara's research employs mixed-methods and implementation science to address diabetes care delivery gaps, particularly among Samoan populations. She investigates type 2 diabetes risk factors, care preferences via discrete choice experiments, and illness experiences through longitudinal studies. Her current NIH NIDDK K01-funded project examines diabetes care evolution in Samoa, while local initiatives focus on MASLD and diabetes comorbidities in Dallas-area underserved communities. Her anthropological training informs culturally grounded intervention design.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2024) reveals consistent focus on Pacific Islander health with strong emphasis on implementation frameworks. Key trends include care cascade analysis for diabetes/hypertension, genetic variant impacts on metabolic outcomes, and adaptation of research methods (e.g., accelerometry, discrete choice experiments) to Samoan contexts. Her work increasingly integrates patient preference data and addresses implementation barriers in resource-limited settings.

Her major scientific recognition includes:

• NIH NIDDK Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K01)
• Global Health Equity Scholars Fellowship (NIH Fogarty International Center/NIDDK)

Dr Rivara leads active grant-funded research including her K01 project assessing diabetes care preferences among Samoans and protocols for adolescent-mediated diabetes interventions. While specific advisees aren't documented, her work involves training postdoctoral associates and international collaborators. She contributes to the Soifua Manuia cohort study and collaborates with Samoan health authorities on non-communicable disease programs.

Her research operates through the Soifua Manuia observational cohort study framework with the Samoan Ministry of Health, Yale collaborators, and UTSW-based teams. Current efforts focus on scaling implementation strategies for diabetes care cascades and adapting interventions to local cultural contexts in both Samoa and Dallas.