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“Bridging Borders, Strengthening Voices: A Brazil-Illinois exchange to elevate Community Health Workers and advance health equity”
In 2025–2026, Tim will conduct postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois through the Werner Baer Postdoctoral Fellowship. His project focuses on strengthening the role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in the public health systems of Brazil and the United States, especially in contexts of social vulnerability. Using implementation science and comparative health policy analysis, the research aims to identify best practices in the integration, training, and support of CHWs, and to propose strategies for scaling up impactful community-based interventions.
Tim holds a Ph.D. in Physical Activity and Health from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), where he investigated how work processes and implementation strategies improve the effectiveness of physical activity promotion within Brazil’s primary healthcare system. He has spent the past decade contributing to public health projects developed in partnership with Brazil’s Ministry of Health, addressing health equity issues and community participation.
Tim will also serve as the new Lab Coordinator for the Aging and Diversity Lab (ADL) at the University of Illinois. His postdoctoral project also will include producing a policy brief comparing CHW models in Brazil and the U.S., developing an implementation guide, and publishing peer-reviewed research to inform inclusive, evidence-based CHW policies across both health systems.