Mugur Geana

Dr. Mugur V. Geana is a Full Professor at the University of Kansas’ William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. He serves as Chair of the Digital Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations concentration and directs the Center for Excellence in Health Communication to Underserved Populations. His expertise bridges medicine and communication, with a focus on health communication strategies, AI-driven health marketing, and health disparities. He holds an M.D. from the Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest and a Ph.D. in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Geana’s research emphasizes media interventions in public health, particularly vaccine uptake among marginalized groups and the impact of social determinants on health literacy. He has led over 20 externally funded projects and founded the Experimental Research Media Laboratory. His work spans AI-generated content analysis, mHealth interventions for underserved populations, and the role of political ideology in health behaviors.

Notable awards include the 2024 Kathleen Dole-Airoldi Research Award and recognition as a 2024-25 IRISE Fellow. His contributions extend to academic leadership through roles in professional organizations like AEJMC and the International Communication Association. Geana’s interdisciplinary approach integrates health communication with technology, policy, and equity-focused initiatives.