Jylana L. Sheats

Dr. Jylana L. Sheats is a behavioral scientist with advanced training in public health and behavioral medicine. She provides cross-sector expertise in health behavior change solutions, equitable community engagement, participatory approaches, and STEM diversity. With experience spanning academia, nonprofit, and industry, she applies a collaborative approach to addressing complex public health challenges.

As an Associate Professor and Course Director for Social Innovation at Tulane University, Dr. Sheats trains future public health leaders in evidence-based strategies, systems thinking, and effective science communication. Her research and thought leadership focuses on the health behavior change and social and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing. In her role as Associate Director at the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program, she provides strategic advisement to strengthen the scientific ecosystem with a focus on global science, public trust in science, science and community, and science policy.

Honored as a 2016-2019 NIH BIRCWH Scholar and 2021-2023 Aspen Institute Civic Science Fellow, Dr. Sheats’ expertise bridges disciplines to build trust, foster collaboration, and translate research into real-world impact. She holds degrees from Spelman College, Tulane University, and Indiana University-Bloomington and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford School of Medicine. Her advisory and executive board roles include the Stanford School of Medicine Research Fellowship Program in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, the Climate Mental Health Network, the Open Research Community Accelerator, ClimeOn, and the Central Area of The Links, Incorporated.