MsMaria Isabel Echavarria

I am a Colombian microbiologist with an MPH in Global Health from the University of Washington (Seattle), with an emphasis in Leadership, Policy and Management. I have experience working with the private and public sector as trainer and consultant in public health programs, and more recently, in public health and community-based research projects.

I am currently working at CIDEIM (International Research and Training Center) as the coordinator for the Social Innovation in Health Hub for Latin-America and the Caribbean (SIH - LAC Hub) and I´m also leading efforts to strengthen capacity and advance implementation research in the LAC region, involving researchers, implementers, policymakers as well as communities across different sectors.

Through my diverse experience working at the research and training interface, in and with public and private health programs, local communities and large corporations, I have developed skills to facilitate the process of knowledge transfer, community engagement and public-private partnerships. I am passionate about doing research and training in public health areas as well as working to promote intersectoral communication and cooperation around health research and social innovation in health initiatives.