Jessica Watterson, PhD, MPH

Dr. Jessica Watterson is a Lecturer in the OOMPH program, and a Senior Lecturer in Digital Health at Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia. Her research focuses on the design and evaluation of digital health technologies, particularly for underserved populations.  Her previous research has included studies on text messaging programs to help low-income, Latinx patients with diabetes to better manage their health and to encourage pregnant women in Samoa to attend antenatal care. Dr. Watterson also conducted research to contribute to the development of a mobile app solution to improve immunization rates in India, and has studied how electronic medical records can facilitate health care team communication in the United States or improve HIV care in Rwanda.

Prior to joining Monash University, Dr Watterson used human-centered design methodology to develop health innovations as a Senior Design Researcher at IDEO. She also previously worked with the World Health Organization, Oxfam, Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders and other organizations with a focus on improving health.

Dr. Watterson earned her PhD in Health Policy and her Master of Public Health from University of California, Berkeley. Her undergraduate degree was in Biochemistry at New York University.

• PhD in Health Policy, University of California, Berkeley
• MPH in Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley
• BA in Biochemistry, New York University

• Co-design and human-centered design
• Evaluation of digital health technologies
• Health equity

Google Scholar

• PHW 204 Public Health Communications