The Center for Public Health Law Research is thrilled to share exciting news about promotions across our team. We hope you will join us in congratulating them and welcoming them into their new roles. 

• Elizabeth Platt, JD, MA, Deputy Director 

• Katie Moran-McCabe, JD, Director of Research and Operations 

• Alex Hess, JD, MPH, Director of Training, Education, and Technology 

• Lauren Langan, JD, Legal Training Manager 

Learn more about our staff and their new roles 

Elizabeth Platt, JD, MA, Deputy Director 

In her decade of work for CPHLR, Lizzy has focused on custom legal research projects using technology-based tools for legal research and public health law practice. In her previous role as Director of Research and Operations, Lizzy led the development of the Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System (PDAPS), managed the legal research for the CityHealth project, and the day-to-day operations of the research team. In her new role, Lizzy serves as a senior operational and strategic leader responsible for directing Center-wide operations, multidisciplinary research and program portfolios, and organizational strategy to advance legal epidemiology and evidence-based public health law and policy.  

Katie Moran-McCabe, JD, Director of Research and Operations 

Throughout her time at CPHLR, Katie has led projects and conducted legal research on a variety of policy areas related to public health. Katie has led several housing-related projects for the Center, including the development of the Legal Levers for Health Equity in Housing report series. Katie also led the development of the Sentinel Surveillance of Emerging Laws and Policies legal mapping method and CPHLR’s work tracking laws that may influence HIV, viral hepatitis, or STI outcomes. In her new role, Katie will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Center's Law and Research Department, overseeing research, personnel, operations, and program development to advance the Center's mission. 

Alex Hess, JD, MPH, Director of Training, Education, and Technology 

Since joining the Center, Alex has become the in-house expert in legal epidemiology training and education where she has led the development and execution of the annual Policy Surveillance Institute, the Global Certificate in Legal Epidemiology, and ongoing work developing resources and support for health departments and other practitioners. In this new role, she will continue her strategic and operational leadership for the Center's training and education initiatives, overseeing departmental personnel, programs, and innovation to expand organizational capacity and advance legal epidemiology and policy surveillance, and will be incorporating the technology portfolio that supports the development and maintenance of MonQcle, CPHLR’s scientific legal mapping software.  

Lauren Langan, JD, Legal Training Manager 

In her work for the Center, Lauren has conducted legal research on a variety of policy areas related to public health and has contributed to or managed the creation of legal datasets on syringe access, paid leave, and income supports. In her new role, Lauren will support the management and delivery of CPHLR’s training, technical assistance, and education portfolio while providing research, methods expertise, and client support to advance high-quality training and capacity building. She will continue managing the CPHLR internship program, shaping the next generation of legal epidemiologists.