Alma Behar

Dr. Alma Behar is a Research Associate at the University of San Diego affiliated with the Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (JI), bringing 20 years of bilingual and bicultural research experience focused on health disparities in underserved Latino communities through NIH-funded community-based projects.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Public Health (Global Health) from SDSU-UCSD Joint Doctoral Program
• MPH in Epidemiology from San Diego State University
• BA in Spanish from University of San Diego

Her research integrates transdisciplinary approaches to develop culturally-adapted health interventions, evaluate program implementation, validate behavioral measures, and identify socio-environmental risk factors—particularly within U.S.-Mexico border communities. As a first-generation college student, she emphasizes mentorship for diverse public health learners and advocates for reducing social/health inequalities through community-driven research.

Previously at SDSU's Institute for Behavioral and Community Health, she now leverages her expertise at USD to create inclusive programs targeting systemic inequities in vulnerable populations.