Alexa Roscizewski, MAIn September 2023, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Prevention Research Center (UWPRC) officially welcomed Harald Kliems, MA to the role of Deputy Director and Alexa Roscizewski, MA to the role of Health Communications Specialist.
Harald Kliems comes to the UWPRC from the Program of Research on Outcomes for Kids (PROKids) in the Department of Pediatrics at UW-Madison. Formally trained in mixed methods research in psychology and science and technology studies and holding a certificate in project management, Harald brings an extensive background in health research at the interface of research management and administration. He has contributed to numerous health research projects throughout his career as a researcher, including developing a patient-centered measure of barriers to type 1 diabetes measurement and validating a measure of family-relationships as part of a large multi-center NIH-funded consortium. In these projects, he has collaborated with interdisciplinary research teams and community partners to write grant applications, develop research designs, conduct research, and disseminate results.
Joining the UWPRC in 2021 as Interim Deputy Director and recently assuming the role as Deputy Director on a full-time bases, Harald has worked alongside UWPRC Director Dr. Jill Denson since 2022. As Deputy Director, Harald manages and optimizes day-to-day operations, UWPRC staff, data collection for evaluation and reporting, and the UWPRC’s successful small grant program. He oversees effort and budget planning, continually developing the portfolio of the UWPRC through additional grant applications.
Alexa Roscizewski also comes to the UWPRC from PROKids. She brings with her experience in health and risk communications, project management, community outreach, and research, as well as a passion for developing and implementing evidence-based health communication strategies. Alexa earned her master’s degree in communication from Michigan State University where she collaborated on various health communication and cross-cultural communication research projects, including analyzing trust and uncertainty in the community of Flint, MI to inform messaging for the Flint Lead Exposure Registry (FLExR). She believes communication is a powerful tool that can be used to create fair and just opportunities for all people to attain their highest level of health and overcome the injustices that give rise to health disparities when a health equity approach is embedded in message design and dissemination.
As the Health Communications Specialist, Alexa manages the planning, creation, and dissemination of UWPRC content. She determines target audience needs and characteristics to develop, tailor, publish, and evaluate content to promote the UWPRC and its partners through various platforms. Alexa works to ensure UWPRC communications are designed to be clear, correct, complete, compassionate, and inclusive.
The UWPRC is looking forward to continuing to improve the lives of women, infants, and families with Harald and Alexa.