Diana Morales is a seasoned public health professional with a wealth of experience in public health and science communications. She currently serves as the Chief of Communications and Outreach for pain research supported by the NIH HEAL Initiative at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Diana previously held the position of HEAL Communications Director in the Office of the NIH Director, where she established a comprehensive communications program to address the opioid crisis through innovative scientific solutions for opioid use disorder, overdose, and pain. Prior to working on the HEAL initiative, Diana spent 12 years at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), overseeing the Outreach Partnership Program and supporting various communication efforts.
Before joining NIH, Diana served as the Director of Public Education at Mental Health America (MHA), where she spearheaded initiatives focusing on resilience and mental wellness to convey the broader MHA mission and vision associated with its name change and new branding (formerly National Mental Health Association), and related name changes. Her career began in social marketing, where she led award-winning campaigns such as the NIH Women's Health Initiative, the National Cancer Institute’s Once a Year for a Lifetime early breast cancer detection program, and the NIMH Panic Disorder Education Program. Diana gained extensive experience in issues management, science communications, clinical trials promotion, media outreach, special events, public-private partnerships, and stakeholder outreach through positions in the pharmaceutical industry and global communications firms. Diana earned a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Maryland College Park. Diana’s leadership roles in various organizations reflect her commitment to promoting public health and advancing the recognition of disparities that impact individuals and communities and affect healthcare outcomes.