About >> Our Team
Meet the Team
Jessica Griffin Burke, PhD, MHS
Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs, Health Sciences
Professor of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health
jgburke@pitt.edu
Jessica Griffin Burke, PhD, MHS, is responsible for building global health partnerships across the schools of the health sciences. Burke’s experience living in Thailand for seven years and training in cultural anthropology, global health, social epidemiology and social and behavioral sciences are the foundation for her participatory approach to developing partnerships and projects. The approach has allowed for contextual understanding and strategic, tailored interventions for improved health outcomes. Her 2014 book, “Methods for Community Public Health Research: Integrated and Engaged Approaches,” outlines this agenda in detail. Her research focuses primarily on the complex realities and context of women’s health, specifically sexual and reproductive health, intimate partner violence, substance use and mental health.
Burke's Full Bio
She has built several successful global health research-practice partnerships around the world, including current work in Nepal and Madagascar, and is particularly passionate about using engaged and creative methods to facilitate dialogue and action. For example, in 2005, Burke and her colleagues introduced concept mapping as a participatory research method for public health researchers interested in generating hypotheses and developing theory, and have used the method to prioritize community health issues, develop conceptual frameworks and create new measurement tools. Her recent community-engaged concept mapping work includes the creation of the Power in Nepali Girls empowerment scale. In 2019, Burke and Sara Baumann co-created Collaborative Filmmaking, which is an embodied, visual and participatory research method in which participants are trained to create, analyze and screen films to generate a deeper understanding of sensitive health topics. The method has resulted in a series of powerful and authentic films that have been effectively used for educational and advocacy efforts. To view the films and learn more about how Collaborative Filmmaking has been used in partnership around the globe, visit www.collaborativefilmmaking.com.
Before joining Pitt Health Sciences’ leadership team, Burke served as vice dean for the University’s School of Public Health. She is professor of behavioral and community health sciences in the School of Public Health and directs the school’s Concept Mapping Institute and the Community-Based Participatory Research and Practice certificate program. She was a founding codirector of the Center for Social Dynamics and Community Health and previously served as the school’s associate dean for academic affairs.
Prior to arriving at the University of Pittsburgh in 2005, Dr. Burke held academic and administrative roles at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; the Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University; and the Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. Burke earned a BA in cultural anthropology from New York University, and an MHS in international health and PhD in social and behavioral sciences from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She also earned a certificate in collaborative leadership from the Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Leaders Network.
Lisa Lorence
Director, Academic and Global Programs
llorence@pitt.edu
Lisa Lorence provides senior-level support to the associate vice chancellor for global affairs. She leads conference and event planning for the schools of the health sciences, helping to organize academic programming that unites distinguished visiting speakers, faculty, students and staff. Lorence manages the day-to-day operations of the visiting research scholar programs, working with her team to facilitate effective scholar-mentor relationships and ensuring a fruitful experience for both long- and short-term international scholars and their health sciences faculty hosts. She has been an active member of the NAFSA: Association of International Educators for the past 16 years. Lisa holds a degree in journalism from the University of Pittsburgh. She has over 25 years of progressive professional experience at Pitt and UPMC, where her career began as a development associate.
Romeo Kihumbu, MBA, MS
rmk124@pitt.edu
Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Romeo Kihumbu brings a polyglot background to the team. In addition, he possesses a diverse background that enhances his work in grants administration, financial analysis and international program development. He effectively manages student travel awards and assesses global clinical and educational rotations. With over 17 years of experience across higher education, teaching, nonprofits and hospitality, Kihumbu adopts a practical, service-oriented approach to collaborating with faculty and departments in the health sciences.
William Tanner
Project Coordinator
wgt7@pitt.edu
William Tanner is the lead coordinator for visiting scholar programs and events, where his strong attention to detail ensures every aspect runs smoothly. He also manages departmental purchasing and procurement, carefully overseeing processes to support day-to-day operations; manages the department’s technology needs; and runs the Senior Vice Chancellor’s Research Seminar sessions.
Mark Williamson
Program Manager
msw85@pitt.edu
Mark Williamson plays a key role in connecting the six schools of the health sciences with the broader University community. He manages international academic agreements with partner institutions and serves as a primary liaison between the health sciences and the University Center for International Studies, helping to build and strengthen global academic partnerships. Prior to joining Pitt, Mark worked for 16 years at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, primarily supporting international students in his roles within the International Student Services office. A native of Virginia, Mark holds a BFA in fine art from James Madison University.
Olivia Warren
Office Manager
oew2@pitt.edu
Olivia Warren provides administrative support to the associate vice chancellor and global affairs team, coordinating meetings, travel and project logistics and office administration. Olivia holds an MFA in screenwriting from Point Park University and uses her background in writing and storytelling to help share the global affairs work happening across the health sciences.