Director Spotlight
IHA Director Jenny Liu, PhD, MPP, MA
Jenny Liu’s journey at UCSF is one of transformation and inspiration. Starting as a staff member, she found mentorship and collaboration that helped her grow into a leading faculty member with an impressive record of National Institute of Health (NIH) funding. Now, she pays it forward by mentoring junior faculty and staff and guiding them as they find their way in academic public health.
Jenny’s work redefines how economics is used in public health. Projects like ICAN and Malkia Klabu go beyond cost-effectiveness, exploring the human behaviors and motivations that shape health decisions. She believes economics is not just about numbers—it’s about understanding what drives people and using that insight to tackle health inequities.
By teaming up with social and behavioral scientists, Jenny creates innovative approaches to public health challenges. Her warmth, dedication and vision inspire those around her, making her not just a researcher but a builder of community and equity. At UCSF’s Institute for Health & Aging, Jenny is shaping the future of public health—one relationship and one idea at a time.
Projects
AmbassADDOrs for Health: Supporting Young Women's Health through Girl-Friendly Drug Vendors (ADDO)
This project evaluates adolescent girls and young women (AGYW)-friendly drug shops in Tanzania to increase access to HIV prevention and SRH services, assessing the model's effectiveness in reducing HIV and unintended pregnancies. Visit the AmbassADDOrs For Health Website.
Innovations for Choice and Autonomy (ICAN)
ICAN, supported by the Gates Foundation, advances women’s autonomy in SRH, focusing on informed contraceptive choice across five countries to develop scalable, culturally tailored interventions. Visit the ICAN Website.
Innovations in Counseling and Follow-up (ICAF)
Funded by the Gates Foundation, ICAF develops enhanced contraceptive decision-making and side effects management to support women’s preferences in Ethiopia and Kenya. Visit the ICAF Website.
Supporting Young Women’s Reproductive Health by Harnessing Prosociality Among Drug Shopkeepers
This project tests strategies to sustain SRH services for AGYW in Tanzanian drug shops, enhancing a loyalty program for drug shopkeepers.
