Yoriko Heianza's research focuses on genetic, nutrition and biochemical risk factors and gene-environment interactions on obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Heianza has recently investigated the role of changes in gut microbial metabolites and other metabolomic markers in the development of chronic metabolic diseases in dietary intervention trials and prospective cohort studies. Her research efforts have yielded more than 90 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Sarah Michaels is a medical entomologist with a focus on vector-borne disease. Her background is in arbovirus surveillance, vector control, operational research and community outreach. Michaels gained experience in public health practice as an entomologist at the city of New Orleans Mosquito Control Board and an infectious disease epidemiologist at the Louisiana Office of Public Health. Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, she was active in the public health response to provide emergency infectious disease surveillance.

Hannah Covert is the associate director of Tulane’s Center for Gulf Coast Environmental Health Research, Leadership and Strategic Initiatives, where she leads and evaluates research and capacity building projects. An interdisciplinary researcher, Covert’s work currently focuses on climate change adaptation, environmental health literacy, developing education and training products for environmental health professionals and community members, and community health worker program evaluation.

Emily Harris is a clinical instructor in the Department of Health Policy and Management and serves as the director for the Master's in Health Administration. Her academic interests lie in organizational behavior and theory, strategic management, change management, and leadership in healthcare organizations. Prior to joining the faculty at Tulane, Harris consulted for a leadership development firm, where she designed courses, class materials and management tools. She taught classes and coached administrative and clinical leaders on ethical leadership principles and accountability.

Danielle Broussard earned a Master of Public Health from Emory University and a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Miami and was previously employed from 2001 to 2007 in the Tulane Xavier Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, where she led the center’s research efforts. She is now on the faculty of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Her research has focused on women’s health and maternal and child health issues, health disparities, and approaches to advancing health equity.