Implementation Science Faculty
Dr. Ramzi Salloum
Associate Professor and Division Director
Dr. Salloum holds key roles as the Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the UF Health Cancer Center and the Director of the Learning Health System Program at the UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute. His research focuses on implementing evidence-based practices, particularly in cancer prevention and control, with a proven record in health services research across diverse settings.
Dr. Salloum’s work, funded by prestigious entities like the National Institutes of Health and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, aligns with his expertise in implementation science methods. He has contributed significantly to the field, serving as faculty for the National Cancer Institute’s Training Institute for Dissemination and Implementation Research in Cancer. Recipient of two NCI-supported fellowships, Dr. Salloum also imparts his knowledge through teaching Fundamentals of Dissemination and Implementation Research (GMS 6851).
Dr. Stephanie Staras
Associate Chair of Faculty Development and Associate Professor
Dr. Stephanie Staras holds roles as Associate Director of the Institute for Child Health Policy and co-lead for the UFHealth Cancer Center’s Cancer Control and Population Science Program. Dr. Staras is an esteemed researcher specializing in the prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers and employs implementation science methods to enhance health equity.
Her impactful work focuses on improving clinical recommendations, parent receptiveness and access to HPV vaccines among adolescents in Florida. With federal funding exceeding $8.5 million, Dr. Staras’ leadership in large-scale projects significantly contributed to the UF Cancer Center’s NCI designation. As an expert in implementation science research methods, she has spearheaded initiatives in diverse areas, ranging from vaccination uptake to opioid overdose prevention and increased enrollment of underrepresented populations in cancer clinical trials.
Dr. Jennifer LeLaurin
Research Assistant Professor
Dr. LeLaurin is a faculty member in the Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics at the University of Florida College of Medicine and Assistant Director of the Learning Health System Initiative at the UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute. She has a background in implementation science and public health. She specializes in using qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to support the implementation of technology-based interventions in clinical settings. Her current research focuses on social determinants of health and tobacco control.
Dr. Betsy Shenkman
Department Chair and Professor
A prominent health outcomes researcher, Dr. Shenkman focuses on understanding factors influencing care quality and outcomes, particularly in underserved populations. In her role as CTSI Co-Director, she leads the Learning Health System initiative, working to align research and clinical operations for improved health outcomes and equity. She also spearheads the OneFlorida Clinical Research Consortium, a diverse network covering 60% of Florida’s population, emphasizing inclusivity in clinical trials.
Dr. Shenkman is actively involved in precision medicine initiatives and directs a telehealth study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Shenkman’s extensive research, funded by entities like PCORI and NIH, is published in renowned journals, showcasing her commitment to advancing healthcare knowledge. She holds memberships in esteemed organizations like the Society for Pediatric Research and the American Pediatric Society.
Dr. Ryan Theis
Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Theis is a medical anthropologist specializing in qualitative methods within implementation and improvement science. His research delves into health disparities and quality of care in publicly insured populations, with a focus on Medicaid recipients requiring long-term services and supports.
Dr. Theis plays a pivotal role as a key investigator for the External Quality Review Organization for Texas Medicaid and CHIP, overseeing evaluation studies. As the HOBI Director of Qualitative Analytics, he collaborates on NIH, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute-funded projects, contributing qualitative expertise to advance evidence-based practices in clinical settings.
Dr. Theis, with a PhD in anthropology, has utilized ethnographic methods in funded research, including exploring discrimination experiences among low-income social service users in Geneva, Switzerland, funded by the U.S. Fulbright Program.
