Lucas Rocha Melogno, Ph.D., is a Principal Research Associate at Westat with expertise in environmental health, community-engaged research, and infectious disease risk assessment. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Health Engineering from Duke University and has led interdisciplinary teams addressing sanitation, air quality, and epidemiological challenges across the U.S., India, and Bolivia.

At Westat, Dr. Rocha Melogno leads a $21 million community-engaged research program, directing interdisciplinary teams and awardee institutions conducting rigorous interventional studies and providing scientific and strategic leadership for complex federal programs. Previously, as a Lead Health Scientist at ICF, he directed projects for federal agencies and supported evidence-informed national policy decisions.

He has published in high-impact journals and received honors including the Forever Duke Leadership Award. Fluent in English and Spanish, he combines scientific expertise, strategic planning, program leadership, and stakeholder engagement to translate complex research into measurable real-world impact and advance innovative solutions to public health challenges.