Grace Williamson Ryan

Dr. Grace Williamson Ryan serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School's T.H. Chan School of Medicine. She holds additional appointments in the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences within the Departments of Masters in Clinical Investigation and Population Health Sciences, with her primary division being Preventive and Behavioral Medicine.

Her academic background includes a BA in World Politics from Hamilton College, an MPH in Community and International Health from New York University, and a PhD in Community & Behavioral Health from the University of Iowa.

• Research Focus: Implementation science for health equity interventions, particularly in vaccination programs (HPV and COVID-19), pediatric chronic disease management (asthma), and rural health disparities
• Methodological Expertise: Mixed-methods research, qualitative analysis, community-engaged approaches, and evaluation of evidence-based practices
• Contextual Emphasis: School-based healthcare delivery, social determinants of health, and adaptation of interventions for underserved populations

Her publication record shows significant growth since 2020, with 35+ publications concentrated in vaccination implementation (HPV and COVID-19), pediatric hypertension management, and rural health interventions. The work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across public health, pediatrics, and implementation science, with increasing focus on equity-focused adaptations of evidence-based practices in school and primary care settings.

Dr. Ryan collaborates extensively with researchers at UMass Chan including Stephenie Lemon, Michelle Trivedi, Melissa Goulding, Lori Pbert, and Milagros Rosal. Her work frequently addresses implementation challenges in rural settings and examines the intersection of social determinants with healthcare access.

Her research program emphasizes practical translation of evidence into clinical and community settings, particularly through school-linked interventions and adaptations for resource-limited environments. Current projects focus on equitable participation in clinical trials, school-supervised asthma therapy, and multi-level strategies to improve vaccination rates among vulnerable pediatric populations.