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Who We Are

Ron Z. Goetzel

Ron Z. Goetzel, PhD

 
Senior Scientist and Director 

Dr. Goetzel is an internationally recognized and widely published expert in health and productivity management, return-on-investment, program evaluation, and outcomes research. He leads innovative measurement and evaluation projects for healthcare purchaser, provider, government, and foundation clients engaged in cutting-edge research into the relationship between health and wellbeing, medical costs, and work-related productivity. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and frequently presents at international business and scientific forums. Before moving to Johns Hopkins, Dr. Goetzel was on the faculties of Emory and Cornell Universities.  

Enid Chung Roemer, PhD

 
Senior Scientist and Deputy Director 

Dr. Roemer’s research examines the health and productivity burdens of certain health risk factors and common disease conditions, and the impact that workplace programs have on health, wellbeing, safety, and productivity-related outcomes. Her expertise includes developing survey instruments and methodologies for conducting structure, process, and outcomes evaluation of workplace health and wellbeing programs as well as conducting instrument validation studies. Dr. Roemer earned her doctorate in Applied Social Psychology from The George Washington University, and her BA degree in Psychology from Wellesley College. 

Karen Kent

Karen Butcher Kent, MPH 

Senior Research Program Manager

Most of Ms. Kent’s work with the Institute focuses on research design, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and report writing. Ms. Kent has also published more than a dozen peer-reviewed articles in academic journals. Prior to her graduate studies, Ms. Kent was a research associate with a consulting firm in Washington DC, where she coordinated research projects in the areas of education assessment and accountability. Ms. Kent holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and international development from American University and an MPH in Health Policy from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. 

Ying Zhang

Ying Zhang, MSPH

Senior Research Data Analyst

With expertise in journalism, communication, and public health, Ying brings a unique blend of knowledge and skills to her work at the Institute. She works as a senior research data analyst and contributes to literature review, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and report writing. Her research experience encompasses topics such as workplace health promotion, tobacco control, and patient-centered communication. Ying holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Florida and an MSPH in Health Education and Health Communication from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

Shota Hasui

Shota Hasui, MA

Research Assistant

Shota Hasui holds an MPH from Johns Hopkins University. His core interest is in leveraging observational data for causal inference and intervention design. Prior to Johns Hopkins, Shota was a senior account manager at CommCore, a boutique communications consulting firm that focused on the biopharmaceutical space. There he contributed to efforts around client communications of real-world evidence, clinical trial data readouts, and regulatory decisions. Shota holds a BA from Gettysburg College in Religious Studies and an MA in Film and Media Studies from Columbia University.

Nainika Vaidya

Nainika Vaidya, MSPH Candidate

Research Assistant

Nainika is a first year MSPH student currently pursuing a degree at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the Department of International Health. Her past work experience includes research assistantships at Boston Medical Center, and McLean Hospital as part of co-ops at Northeastern University where Nainika completed a BSc in Psychology. Her research interests include cross-cultural mental health interventions and disseminating findings to communities across borders.