Meet the Team

Michelle Macy, MD, MS, Scientific Director

Dr. Michelle Macy is a founding member of the Catalyst. She is a pediatrician with a focus on injury prevention, value-based care, health disparities, and digital health. With expertise in both clinical care and public health, she is dedicated to advancing innovative strategies that improve the safety and well-being of children. Dr. Macy works to ensure that health interventions are accessible and equitable, especially for underserved communities, and is passionate about leveraging digital health technologies to prevent injuries and enhance care delivery.

Adam Becker, PhD, MPH, Scientific Director of Qualitative Research

Dr. Adam Becker has been a member of the Catalyst since 2021. He is a public health expert specializing in obesity prevention, public policy, program evaluation, and community-engaged research. With a keen interest in qualitative research methods, Dr. Becker collaborates with diverse communities to develop and evaluate programs aimed at reducing childhood obesity and its associated risks.

Marie Heffernan, PhD, Scientific Director of Quantitative Research

Dr. Marie Heffernan has been a member of the Catalyst since 2021. She is an expert in survey research, quantitative research methods, and the dissemination of findings. With a background in the social sciences, Dr. Heffernan focuses on how to best collect, analyze, and communicate data to drive informed decisions in public health and policy.

Callie Kaplan, MPH, Senior Research Scientist Sr.

Callie has been a member of the Catalyst since 2024. She is an expert in implementation science, with a focus on using evidence-based strategies to promote the uptake of health interventions. She utilizes logic modeling to design, implement, and evaluate public health programs with a strong emphasis on practical application in real-world settings.

Carolyn Sutter, PhD, Research Scientist Sr.

Dr. Carolyn Sutter has been with the Catalyst since 2023. She is a strategic planning expert who specializes in using data to inform growth and improvements in health-focused programming. She is skilled in logic modeling, a framework that helps guide the development of health interventions and programs based on evidence and measurable outcomes. Dr. Sutter collaborates with organizations to create data-driven strategies that lead to sustainable improvements in public health.