Hala Madanat - Vice President for Research and Innovation at (San Diego State University)

Hala Madanat, PhD, MS is a distinguished public health leader serving as Vice President for Research and Innovation and Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Public Health at San Diego State University (SDSU). She oversees SDSU’s research enterprise, supports research advancement and innovation, and helps drive programs like the Mission Valley Innovation District and university startup incubation efforts. Dr. Madanat’s research focuses on health promotion, behavioral science, and reducing health disparities through community-engaged work, including NIH-funded projects addressing cancer equity, obesity prevention, and public health workforce development. She has led significant research growth and strategic initiatives that expanded SDSU’s research impact and funding. Dr. Madanat holds degrees in biological sciences, community health sciences, and sociology with a public health minor.