Center for HOPE Team
Center for HOPE Team
Faculty
Staff
Tony Banks joined the Center for Hope in 2022 as a research data manager. He has an MS in Information from the University of Arizona and a BS in environmental geology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Tony is proficient in R and Python programming. He enjoys working on complex datasets, implementing automation for reproducibility, and collaborating with the team to make improvements for everyone. He previously worked as an environmental geologist, where he planned and implemented remediation projects and analyzed soil, groundwater, and soil vapor data. His favorite things to do are disc golfing, snowboarding, rock climbing, and camping.
Kane graduated from Westminster College with a BS in psychology with an emphasis in cognitive science and a minor in applied mathematics. He plans to pursue a career in the field of health psychology or cognitive sciences. Kane spends most of his free time rock climbing, mountain biking, and running.
Murphy Georger is a Grant and Contract Officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute, where she supports multiple investigators in managing grants and research administration. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration. Outside of work, Murphy enjoys exploring Utah’s outdoors through hiking, camping, skiing, and climbing. She also enjoys cooking and spending time with her girlfriends.
Murphy.Georger@utah.edu
Heather Haley has lived too many places to have a single “home”. She has worked mostly for nonprofits in various roles since 1998, moving to Utah in 2007. When not at HCI, Heather loves being outside with her dog, cooking with her two kids, traveling, and reading books
Dr. Hall holds a PhD in educational leadership and policy and a master of public administration degree from the University of Utah. She leads the community engagement efforts for the Center for HOPE. Her teaching and research focus on community engagement, asset mapping, program evaluation, policy analysis, and nonprofit organizations. Dr. Hall has an extensive background working with projects and programs centered on social impact. Her career includes stints at nonprofits, higher education institutions, and private media companies. Away from the office, Dr. Hall enjoys watching sports and theatrical productions and enjoys spending as much time in the mountains as she can.
Dr. Kikuchi earned a Naturopathic Doctorate from Bastyr University and Bachelor of Sciences degrees in Biology and Anthropology from the University of Utah. Prior to joining the Center for HOPE in 2021, she had extensive experience developing and leading provider engagement and health systems change programs across several states. With over a decade of work in tobacco control and nicotine addiction treatment, Dr. Kikuchi came to prioritize health care quality improvement initiatives. She plans to draw from her experience both with community partnerships and as a primary care physician to develop relationships and create connections as the Community Practice Programs Manager.
Indy recently joined the Center for HOPE as a clinical research coordinator, supporting the team with all things project management. Before joining the Center for HOPE, Indy spent several years working in the nonprofit sector, managing vegetable prescription programs and advocating for food security. When she’s not working, Indy loves trail running, climbing outside with her partner, reading a good book, and enjoying a delicious cup of tea on her porch.
Elle Pulsipher is an administrative manager and plays a pivotal role in supporting research investigators with a primary focus on coordinating travel, managing expenses, and aiding in grant-support. Elle brings precision and a proactive approach to each project. Her ability to listen, comprehend, and respond effectively has made her an invaluable asset to her team. In her spare time Elle enjoys all things outdoors, spending time with her three kids, or hitting the trail with her dogs.
Tracey Siaperas serves as the research liaison and emergency preparedness program manager at the Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH). In this role, she acts as the primary liaison between Utah’s Community Health Centers (CHC) and Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Center for HOPE.
Tracey collaborates closely with all 14 federally qualified health center organizations across the state, providing training and technical assistance in clinical quality improvement and healthcare emergency preparedness and response. Before joining AUCH, Tracey spent a decade working at a rural CHC in Utah, where she gained extensive experience in community-based healthcare delivery.
Outside of work, Tracey enjoys traveling, relaxing by the pool, and spending quality time with her family and her border collie, Finnegan.
David Suisse earned his MPH at the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Arts degree in global communication and biology from Utah State University. He is passionate about supporting health equity in Utah and has been involved in several local and state health advocacy projects. His past research interests and publications involve refugee housing access, LGBTQ+ community needs, Utah native plant properties, and stigma communication surrounding substance use disorder. When he has the time, David enjoys hiking, gardening, and reading by the fireplace with his cats.