Kimberley Shoaf, M.P.H., DrPH

Dr. Kimberley I. Shoaf is Professor in the Division of Public Health. She has more than 30 years of experience in public health practice including experience as a health educator, trainer, and researcher. She has particular expertise in program planning and evaluation applicable to both general public health practice and emergency public health. She has worked with more than 50 local health departments in preparing for responding to disasters through training, assessments, and exercises as well as in writing of plans. She has both a research and an educational focus on workforce development within public health and primary care. Dr. Shoaf received her Master of Public Health degree in Population and Family Health and a DrPH in Community Health Sciences from the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Research Statement

Over the course of my academic career, I have been a practice-based public health systems and services researcher utilizing mixed-methods. Much of my research has focused on the field of emergency public health and the development of the health workforce. Over the past 20 years, I have been the PI or Co-PI on numerous grants conducting both research and training activities relevant to public health emergencies and disasters both domestically and internationally. My research has focused on two main areas, identifying and quantifying the health impacts of a variety of hazards and connecting the various sectors working to protect the health of populations, including the public health system, health care system, other governmental agencies, and community based organizations, and community members themselves. Methodologically, my expertise lies in mixed methods projects, particularly combining surveys and qualitative interviewing (both Key Informants and Focus Groups).

Global Impact