Mary El-Afandi, MPH, is a Research Associate at Population Media Center, where she focuses on evaluating the impact of entertainment-education programs designed to drive social and behavioral change. She collaborates with country teams and external partners to develop surveys, monitor data collection, and assess the effectiveness of radio serial dramas and other projects. Passionate about using media to create positive change, Mary designs internal learning sessions to enhance the organization’s understanding of research methods and their value.

Before her current role, Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in Genetics and Cell Biology and conducted research in cancer and gene therapy. This background provided a foundation in rigorous scientific methodology and a keen analytical mindset, which she now applies to evaluating complex social change initiatives. Mary’s diverse experience, from lab research to public health, informs her commitment to using evidence-based approaches to address global health challenges. She currently lives in Minnesota, where she continues to contribute to impactful projects both locally and globally.