Mellissa Withers, Program Director of Global Health Program is an academic who has turned her passion for other cultures and women’s empowerment into a full-time adventure. She serves as Professor and Director of Pedagogical Enrichment and Training in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, where she teaches global health-related courses. She is also the director of the APRU Global Health Program. Her work focuses on a broad range of global health issues, including sexual and reproductive health, women’s empowerment, migrant health, and mental health, with a particular emphasis on community participatory research and qualitative methodology.

She earned her Ph.D. in Community Health Sciences from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in Los Angeles, USA in 2009 with an emphasis on medical anthropology. Her dissertation explored fertility intentions in Bali, Indonesia, where she immersed herself in the local culture for 15 months. She also earned a Master’s in Health Sciences from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, and a B.A. degree in Global Development from UC Berkeley.

Dr. Withers' has traveled to more than 75 countries and has lived in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Indonesia. Her research is informed by her international experiences and commitment to understanding diverse health challenges. Outside of her professional pursuits, you might find her salsa dancing, kayaking, practicing yoga, or planning her next trip, reflecting her vibrant and dynamic approach to life and work.

Email: [email protected]