Dr. Erica Pan to deliver keynote address at UCLA Fielding’s 2026 Research, Innovation & Impact Day

Dr. Erica Pan, director and state public health officer for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), will deliver the keynote address for the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health’s 2026 Research, Innovation & Impact Day on Friday, April 24. The day-long event will take place on UCLA’s campus at CNSI.

Dr. Pan, who started in the role of director and state public health officer for CDPH in February 2025, works in collaborative partnerships to communicate and empower communities and institutions. She does so with the intention to ‘transform policies and systems to include a “health in all policies” approach, acknowledging that addressing the social determinants of health are fundamental to achieving healthy communities with thriving families and individuals.’ Prior to Dr. Pan’s current leadership role at CDPH, she served as acting state public health officer from August 2020 to January 2021 and was CDPH’s deputy director of the Center for Infectious Diseases and state epidemiologist for nearly five years. 

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Pan join us as keynote speaker for the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health’s 2026 Research, Innovation & Impact Day, said Dr. Ron Brookmeyer, dean and distinguished professor of biostatistics at UCLA Fielding. “This is a unique opportunity for our community to learn from Dr. Pan, who is at the forefront of shaping and implementing public health for our state. During the event, we will shine a light on the critical importance of public health research and provide a forum for colleagues to share their findings and innovations with one another.”

2026 Research, Innovation and Impact Day will take place on UCLA’s campus at CNSI on Friday, April 24. The event, which was first held in 2023, includes faculty experts sharing their research and practice innovations; a Student Impact Poster Showcase, which highlights work led by master’s and doctoral students; and dedicated time throughout the day for colleagues to connect. In addition to Dr. Erica Pan’s keynote address, four moderated panels will cover topics including Artificial Intelligence & Data Science Powering Public Health, Combating Chronic & Infectious Diseases, Championing Health Equity, and Protecting Health in a Changing Physical Environment.