Dr. Melissa Watt has expertise in the development and evaluation of behavioral interventions, and the application of rigorous qualitative methods. She has a multi-disciplinary research program that applies social and behavioral research methods to understand and improve health outcomes globally. Dr. Watt leads the MAMA Study in Moshi, Tanzania, which is addressing HIV stigma in the intrapartum period. She collaborates on global research projects with School of Medicine faculty in the departments of Surgery, Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Watt has a teaching appointment in the University of Utah Honors, where she teaches undergraduate courses and directs the Honors Integrated Minor in Health. She co-leads the Health Equity Research Core in the Woman and Child Institute, and serves as the Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Department of Population Health Sciences.