Madeline Hooten

Madeline Hooten is a doctoral candidate in the Population Health PhD program at Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions. She holds a Master of Science in Auditory and Language Neuroscience from ASU and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Grand Canyon University. During her master’s program, she worked closely with individuals in the Maricopa County jail system, an experience that deepened her commitment to improving health outcomes for high-risk populations, including those who use substances and individuals experiencing housing insecurity.

Currently in her fourth year of doctoral study, Madeline’s research focuses on community-informed approaches to urgent public health issues, particularly the opioid epidemic and climate-related health threats. She specializes in dissemination and implementation science, aiming to bridge the gap between research and practice. Her dissertation examines how people experiencing homelessness and substance use in Phoenix, Arizona, navigate extreme heat and access cooling resources, an increasingly critical issue in one of the country’s hottest cities.

Beyond her academic work, Madeline is actively involved in applied public health practice. She works with the City of Phoenix's Office of Public Health and Office of Emergency Management, where she helps develop strategies for opioid settlement fund allocation, expands access to Narcan, and supports harm reduction initiatives across city departments, libraries, and community centers. She also contributed to launching the city’s first Stop the Bleed® program, designed to train community members in life-saving bleeding control techniques.

Madeline is passionate about building a career at the intersection of research, policy, and community partnerships. Her long-term goal is to lead public health efforts that are not only evidence-based but also responsive to and shaped by the lived realities of the communities they serve.