Alissa Gallagher
About Alissa Gallagher
Alissa Gallagher serves as the Communications Director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), where she has worked since 2018. She has extensive experience in health communications, having previously held positions at the National Institutes of Health and Moffitt Cancer Center.
Current Role at National Institutes of Health
Alissa Gallagher serves as the Communications Director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) since 2018. In this role, she leads efforts to integrate social media strategies into communication plans, enhancing the visibility of neurological health initiatives. Gallagher coordinates community outreach initiatives to engage the public in discussions about neurological health and research advancements. She manages the creation and distribution of educational materials aimed at increasing public awareness of neurological disorders and stroke prevention.
Previous Experience at National Institutes of Health
Prior to her current position, Alissa Gallagher held multiple roles at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She served as the Science Communications Director at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) from 2013 to 2017. Before that, she worked as a Public Health Analyst at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) from 2009 to 2013. Gallagher began her career at NIH as a Health Communications Internship Program (HCIP) Fellow in 2005 and later worked as a Patient Care Support Manager at the NIH Clinical Center from 2008 to 2009.
Experience in Cancer Care and Education
Alissa Gallagher has experience in cancer care and education from her time at Moffitt Cancer Center. She worked as a Patient Education Specialist from 2005 to 2007 and later managed the Patient Relations and Patient Education Departments from 2007 to 2008. In these roles, she focused on enhancing patient education and support services, contributing to improved patient experiences and outcomes.
Educational Background
Alissa Gallagher earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from Washington State University, where she studied from 1998 to 2002. She then pursued a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree in Community Health Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, completing her studies from 2003 to 2005. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her work in health communications and public engagement.
Research and Teaching Experience
Gallagher has a background in research and teaching, having worked as a Research Assistant in the Programs in Neuroscience at Washington State University from 1999 to 2000 and again in the Department of Psychology in 2002. She also served as a Teaching Assistant for Neuroanatomy in the Department of Psychology in 2002. These experiences contributed to her understanding of neuroscience and education, which she applies in her current communications role.