Jairo Ceballos, MPH, is a mission-driven public health leader with deep experience advancing oral health, rural health innovation, and inclusive research practices that ensure broader community representation. Guided by both lived experience and professional expertise, he develops practical, community-informed strategies that reduce barriers to care and research participation while strengthening long-term impact.
He currently serves as Project Manager for the Community Engagement and Research Action Group for Equity (RAGE) at the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). In this capacity, Jairo works at the intersection of academic research and community priorities—partnering with investigators, community-based organizations, and clinical teams to foster meaningful collaboration. He leads strategic initiatives, cultivates cross-sector partnerships, and advances research practices that are culturally responsive, linguistically accessible, and designed to reach populations that have historically had limited access to clinical research.
Jairo’s work focuses on expanding language access, modernizing and simplifying informed consent processes, and responsibly leveraging artificial intelligence to improve translation workflows and health literacy. His efforts help ensure that translational science is not only rigorous, but also accessible, understandable, and beneficial to the communities it aims to serve.
Prior to UCSF, Jairo held roles across dental health, early childhood education, public health advocacy, and municipal health promotion in both rural and urban regions of California. These experiences shaped his systems-level perspective and reinforced the importance of designing solutions in partnership with communities—grounded in trust, shared decision-making, and practical implementation.
He holds a Master of Public Health in Community Health Education from San Francisco State University, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Dentistry from UCSF, and a BA in Psychology and Natural Sciences from UC Merced. His interdisciplinary training reflects his ability to integrate clinical insight, behavioral science, and community engagement to drive measurable public health outcomes.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Jairo remains actively engaged in local initiatives that strengthen community well-being. He serves on the Pickleweed Advisory Board for the Canal neighborhood in San Rafael, advising on culturally responsive health strategies and community-informed planning efforts.
Jairo’s expertise lies in translating principles of fairness, access, and accountability into operational practice—building strong bridges between institutions and communities to foster trust, expand participation, and create sustainable, meaningful impact.