Carolyn Smith Hughes works in the Institute for Global Health Sciences at UCSF in the Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Cooperative. Carolyn focuses her efforts on implementation science, the promotion of women-centered care, and quality improvements in maternal health through USAID's HEARD Project. Carolyn also has experience in designing and implementing cost-effectiveness and costing analyses; infectious disease in vulnerable populations; developing and delivering educational and training courses and modules for both in-person and online instruction; and print and digital communications, including app and website development. Prior to joining UCSF and gaining her master of science degree in Global Health, Carolyn worked for nearly a decade in US and global healthcare communications, focusing on disease awareness campaigns and launches for major pharmaceutical brands. With an undergraduate degree in human genetics and life science communications, Carolyn works to bridge the divide between health research and effective communication of evidence into action.