Jen Cooper Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il

Lead Heartland Alliance's Social IMPACT Research Center, a research center started out of the need to drive and document impact in 1989. Currently, our large team of evaluators and researchers work to make this world a better place, specifically for those whose basic human needs are not being met, through research, evaluation, and systems change work. I oversee a team of approximately 10 staff, an annual operating budget of approximately $1.5 million, and a project portfolio of 20-30 efforts across the Center. The Social IMPACT Research Center sits within Heartland Alliance, a non-profit committed to advancing human rights and championing human dignity.

Greater Chicago Area

Oversee three staff and a large evaluation portfolio for association-wide efforts in out-of-school time and academic readiness, early learning, digital equity, health equity, violence prevention, and food security. Evaluation efforts span 18 YMCA membership centers, five resident camps, and hundreds of other program sites across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan (with a focus on Chicago and collar counties).

Chicago, Il

Served as staff lead of the Planning & Evaluation Core of ChicagoCHEC, a NCI-sponsored, tri-site collaborative to reduce cancer inequalities in and around Chicago. In this role, I conduct overarching strategy, project management, and ongoing evaluation of all partnership activities. In addition, I also managed a portfolio of health equity projects, which included the epidemiological surveillance/program evaluation of the NCI-sponsored Chinatown Patient Navigation Program for reduction in breast and cervical cancer in low-income, underinsured/uninsured women. Other responsibilities included grant writing, aiding in study conceptualization, managing study implementation and ongoing program and project management over the course of a project. For my publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1T5LEYJ9gam5f/bibliography/public/www.chicagochec.org www.skinnytreespodcast.com

Greater Chicago Area

I oversaw a large-scale portfolio of projects centered on health services research and health economics within the Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research (CCDTR). This work included: (1) management and project implementation of one NIH-funded grant (R01), a small-scale clinical trial and several other projects; (2) aided in conceptualization of research projects (conceptual models, analytic plans, survey development) and execution; (3) extensive data management, programming, statistical support on epidemiologic and health economic projects and publications. I also supported many grant submissions and held management of administrative and programmatic tasks pre and post award. For my publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1T5LEYJ9gam5f/bibliography/public/

Ann Arbor, Mi

Summer 2012University of Michigan, Department of Epidemiology -Independent researcher on novel study of orphan disease in the United States (Burkitt's Lymphoma)-Conducted data analysis with R statistical package, joinpoint analysis and SAS on incidence rates of Burkitt’s lymphoma within the United States SEER registry, prepared final manuscript and corresponding tables and figures2011-2012 Ann Arbor, MICenter for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, UMichigan School of Public Health -Conducted participant recruitment for a large-scale CDC-funded influenza transmission study-Collaborated with principle investigators to determine recruiting strategies and materials -Communicated to participants the nature of the study through lectures within university residence halls

Pajule, Northern Uganda

-Served as communication liaison between Peace Together Uganda and a student-run organization on the University of Illinois campus-Facilitated board meetings, worked in conjunction with USAID, local NGOs and health facilities, conducted medical and educational surveys and took part in grant writing and budget analysis on-site in Uganda-Conducted field work and was co-author on successful Embassy grant

Kampala, Uganda

-Worked with WUA Cancer Foundation in conjunction with the Uganda Cancer Institute on quality improvement efforts for a pediatric oncology treatment program-Conducted in-depth literature review, interviews with health and medical personal as well as local drug distributors-Developed a three-tiered approach to strengthen program processes and outcomes.

Mph, Epidemiology, Global Health

Bs, Integrative Biology, Environmental Science Fellows Program

Activities and Societies: Urbana Judicial Hall Board Member, Alternative Spring Break Site Facilitator, Illinois Biological Society.