Suellen Hopfer

Suellen Hopfer is an Associate Professor at the University of California, Irvine, holding appointments in the Program in Public Health, School of Medicine (Pediatrics), and School of Humanities (Asian American Studies). Her research focuses on health communication, vaccine hesitancy, climate change impacts on health, and health disparities.

Education

• PhD in Health Communication, Pennsylvania State University
• MS in Human Genetics, University of Arizona
• Postdoctoral Training in Latent Class Analysis and MOST Designs, Penn State Methodology Center

Research Interests center on designing communication interventions for HPV vaccination, climate change adaptation, and mental health access for marginalized populations. She uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, including social media analysis and multilevel interventions.

Scientific Awards include the 2025 Dr. De Gallow Professor of the Year award, recognizing her teaching and research excellence.

Teaching includes courses like PUBHLTH 148 (Public Health Communication), PUBHLTH 223 (Risk Communication), and PUBHLTH 287 (Qualitative Research Methods).

Lab Collaborations span departments at UCI, UCLA, UT Dallas, and UC Santa Barbara, with projects on wildfire risk communication, HPV vaccine equity, and mental health narratives for undocumented students.