Alma I. Behar

Alma I. Behar is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at San Diego State University's School of Public Health. She holds affiliations with multiple colleges including the College of Health and Human Services. Her research focuses on behavioral determinants of health, health disparities, childhood obesity prevention, and global health interventions in vulnerable populations. Behar has conducted fieldwork in Mexico and Peru, examining topics like physical activity among schoolchildren and gender roles in disease vulnerability.

Education: PhD(c) in Public Health (Global Health, expected 2022) from the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program; MPH in Epidemiology (2015) and BA in Spanish (2004) from SDSU and USD respectively.

Teaching includes instructing PH 101 Introduction to Public Health and guest lectures on topics like survey development. She has held roles as Project Manager for obesity prevention RCTs, Evaluation Lead for NIH grants, and Program Director for online MPH programs. Behar has received fellowships including the Inamori Fellowship and multiple Hispanic Centers of Excellence scholarships.

Her work spans over 30 peer-reviewed publications and presentations on topics ranging from cyber sexual harassment impacts to Pokémon Go's effects on physical activity. Current research interests include culturally adapted interventions, health equity, and leveraging technology for behavior change.