Our Team

CEPEG prides itself on helping communities understand their health issues and improve policy and program solutions. We share our multi-disciplinary expertise and commitment to scientific rigor and cultural humility.

Sara Cooper PhD, MSPH

Director (CEPEG), Senior Instructor, Clinical Teaching Track
  • Community Epidemiology & Program Evaluation
  • Department of Community & Behavioral Health

Dr. Cooper is the associate director for evaluation services at the Community Epidemiology and Program Evaluation Group (CEPEG) and a research associate in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health. With 20 years of experience in both quantitative analysis and mixed methods, Sara brings a comprehensive array of skills and experience in evaluation best practices, as well as innovative, theory-based evaluation strategies for programs, policies, and community initiatives. Since joining CEPEG in 2012, she has led evaluations of pilot and proof-of-concept initiatives in partnership with community-based health organizations; studied program development and implementation in hospital, clinic and non-traditional settings; conducted media impact assessments for innovative digital health interventions and education campaigns; and worked with local municipalities to measure the impact of seminal policy initiatives.

Currently, Sara oversees evaluation projects associated with CEPEG’s work as the technical assistance provider and program evaluation center for Colorado’s statewide tobacco control program. In addition to tobacco cessation, Sara’s research interests include maternal and child health, and injury epidemiology and violence prevention. She earned her doctorate in health and behavioral science at University of Colorado Denver, and her MSPH from University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. 

Areas of Expertise

  • Measuring effective use of digital media for health intervention and education initiatives
  • Assessing impact of seminal health policy initiatives on behavior change
  • Evaluating innovative tobacco initiatives to improve access to cessation treatment
  • Identifying and reducing population disparities in tobacco-related burdens

Education, Licensure & Certifications

  • PhD, Health and Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Denver
  • MSPH, Epidemiology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
  • BA, International Relations, University of Pennsylvania

Community Epidemiology & Program Evaluation Group (CEPEG)

Colorado School of Public Health

CU Anschutz

Fitzsimons Building

13001 East 17th Place

6th Floor East

Mail Stop F542

Aurora, CO 80045


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