Monita J. Baba Djara

Monita J. Baba Djara, DrPH serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Director for SPH-Global Health (4+1 program with PUC), MPH at Loma Linda University's School of Public Health. Her academic career demonstrates strong commitment to global health education and community-based research initiatives.

Dr. Baba Djara's research interests focus on community health in low-resource settings, maternal mental health, social determinants of health, and food security. Her work emphasizes community-based participatory approaches that bridge academic institutions with community organizations and faith-based partners to address health disparities.

Her recent publications reveal a consistent pattern of research examining how social and environmental factors impact health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations. She has published on maternal mental health in marginalized communities, student mental health and food security, and innovative university-church-community partnerships for improving community health.

Dr. Baba Djara has secured multiple research grants including CDC/RISE projects through El Sol Neighborhood Education Center and initiatives with Adventist Development and Relief Agency focused on community health champions training and international health programs in Mongolia.

As an educator, she teaches multiple courses in the Global Health curriculum including Fundamentals of Global Health and Development series, Health Systems in Low Resource Settings, and Interventions in Community Health & Development. She also teaches grant writing and supervises doctoral projects, demonstrating her commitment to developing the next generation of public health professionals.