Holly Baker

Holly Baker is an Adjunct Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego (UCSD). Her research focuses on social network analysis, gender norms, adolescent health, and public health interventions in low- and middle-income countries. She has led and co-led major grants including a USAID-funded project on agency promotion in global communities (2022–2027) and a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation initiative evaluating social network-based interventions in Niger (2020–2024). Her work emphasizes understanding how social structures influence health behaviors and outcomes, with a focus on reproductive health, mental health, and substance use.

Her research spans topics from intimate partner violence norms in Honduras to latrine ownership predictors in rural settings. Notable collaborations include roles with Jay Silverman (UCSD), James Fowler (UCSD), and Jason Nagata (UCSF). Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, blending sociology, epidemiology, and public health. Grants and projects reflect a commitment to scalable solutions for global health challenges. She is affiliated with the Vc-Health Sciences schools and contributes to teams addressing gender norms and youth development.