Shaina Sta. Cruz, Ph.D., M.S.P.H.

With a background in public health, social epidemiology, and community organizing, Shaina Sta. Cruz is passionate about reducing violence in our communities, especially those underserved by our health, safety net, and social service systems. She has studied violent injury morbidity among pregnant and postpartum women presenting at the emergency department, as well as social, clinical, and economic determinants for violent injury risk.

Sta. Cruz is most excited about examining how social policies, community-centered approaches, and cross-sector collaborations can improve mental health and violence outcomes, with a focus on family and intimate partner violence.