We are delighted to share exciting news with the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (JPHMP) community! Gulzar Shah, Brian Castrucci, and Jessica Malaty Rivera have been named Associate Editors of JPHMP. Each brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing the public health field. As Associate Editors, they will contribute to shaping the journal’s editorial direction, ensuring the quality and relevance of our content, and supporting authors in sharing impactful research and practices.

Get to Know Our New Associate Editors

Gulzar H. Shah, PhD, MStat, MS

Gulzar Shah, PhD, MStat, MS

Dr. Gulzar Shah serves as the Department Chair and Professor of Health Policy and Community Health at the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University. With extensive expertise in public health systems and services research (PHSSR), health informatics, and health equity, Dr. Shah has published extensively, with over 180 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. His research has made significant contributions to understanding local and state health department operations, workforce development, accreditation, and informatics capacity.

Dr. Shah is recognized for his editorial leadership, holding roles as Editor or Associate Editor for several prominent public health journals, including the American Journal of Public Health and the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

His research has been supported by major federal grants, including a current award of $7.9 million that enabled the establishment of an MPH concentration in health informatics, promoting health equity and workforce advancement. He has also contributed to developing national metrics for public health system capacity and guided public health policy through his service on advisory committees and editorial boards.

Dr. Shah’s work emphasizes actionable, data-driven approaches to addressing health disparities and improving population health, making him a valuable addition to the editorial team of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA

Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA

Dr. Brian C. Castrucci is an epidemiologist, public health practitioner, and fierce advocate for the public’s health. Brian joined the de Beaumont Foundation as its third employee in 2012 and assumed the role of president and chief executive officer in 2018. Under his leadership, with the support of a dedicated team, the foundation has grown in both size and impact, becoming a prominent voice in health philanthropy and public health practice and driving transformative change to improve population health across the nation.

Brian’s strategic vision emphasizes collaboration between public health and various sectors, effective communication, and the enhancement of the nation’s public health infrastructure. His efforts have led to the development of the nation’s largest survey of the government public health workforce, the advancement of policies in major cities, partnerships between businesses and public health organizations, improvements in public health communication, and stronger connections between clinical medicine and public health. He is also focused on building local health data ecosystems that prioritize health justice.

Brian has published widely in a range of media outlets, including The Washington Post, CNN, The Hill, STAT, The Daily Beast, and CNBC, and has shared his insights through interviews with The New York Times, the Associated Press, Politico, MSNBC, NPR, BBC, and Fox News, among others. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.com. Brian was also prominently featured in the documentary series The Invisible Shield and was the co-executive producer of the award-winning documentary Outbreak: The First Response.

In addition to his practice experience, Brian is a seasoned public health researcher with expertise in public health systems and services, tobacco control and drug use, maternal and child health, health promotion, and chronic disease prevention. His recent research has concentrated on urban public health needs, data system improvements, and public health infrastructure advancements. He has authored nearly 100 scientific articles, which have been cited more than 4,000 times, and has co-edited eight books.

Prior to joining de Beaumont, Brian spent a decade as an applied epidemiologist and held leadership positions at the Georgia Department of Health, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the Philadelphia Department of Health. During his time in government service, he led many programs, including the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, the Title X Family Planning program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Brian holds a doctorate in public health leadership from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts degree in Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University, where he delivered the 2023 commencement address for the graduates of Mailman School of Public Health and received the school’s Visionary Leadership Award. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science with the greatest distinction from North Carolina State University.

Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, DrPH (c)

Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, DrPH (c)

Jessica Malaty Rivera is an infectious disease epidemiologist internationally recognized and science communicator. She has dedicated the last 15 years of her career to emerging infectious disease surveillance, public health policy, and vaccine advocacy. Her specialty is in translating complex scientific concepts into impactful, judgement-free, and accessible information for a diverse audience. From 2020-2021, she served as the Science Communication Lead for The COVID Tracking Project at The Atlantic. In 2021, Jessica was named one of the “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune Magazine for her work on COVID-19 research and data communication and in 2022, Jessica was named of the Top 50 Leaders in Digital Health by Rock Health.

Currently, she is a Research Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital Innovation & Digital Health Accelerator, a Researcher at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, and a Senior Science Communication Advisor at the de Beaumont Foundation. In between her day jobs and being a full-time mother to three little kids, she also dedicates several hours a week to promoting science literacy and debunking misinformation on social media.

Jessica earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. She earned her Master of Science in Biohazardous Threat Agents and Emerging Infectious Diseases from Georgetown University, School of Medicine. Jessica is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Shah, Dr. Castrucci, and Ms. Rivera bring a shared passion for fostering innovation and collaboration in public health. We are excited about the fresh perspectives and expertise they will bring to JPHMP as we continue to spotlight vital research and practice that shape healthier communities.

Please join us in congratulating them on their new roles.

About the Author

Sheryl Monks

Sheryl Monks is the Managing Editor of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. She is passionate about connecting public health professionals with the insights and resources they need to improve community health.

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