Jairo Ceballos
Project Manager
CTSI
School of Medicine

With both lived and professional experiences shaping his approach, he applies an equity and justice lens to build sustainable, community-informed solutions that address structural barriers to health and research participation.

Currently, Jairo serves as Project Manager for the Community Engagement and Research Action Group for Equity (RAGE) at the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). In this role, he collaborates with researchers, community-based organizations, and clinical partners to bridge academic research with community priorities. He leads strategic planning, facilitates cross-sector partnerships, and supports the implementation of programs that expand culturally and linguistically appropriate research practices—especially for populations historically excluded from clinical research.

Jairo’s work focuses on strengthening language access, simplifying informed consent processes, and leveraging artificial intelligence to improve translation workflows and health literacy. His contributions help ensure that translational science at UCSF has measurable, positive impact on the communities it intends to serve.

Prior to UCSF, Jairo held positions across dental health, early childhood education, public health advocacy, and municipal health promotion in rural and urban regions throughout California. These experiences equipped him with a deep understanding of the systemic and day-to-day challenges communities face and the importance of co-developing solutions with those most affected.

He holds an MPH in Community Health Education from San Francisco State University, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Dentistry from UCSF, and a BA in Psychology and Natural Sciences from UC Merced—an academic path that reflects his interdisciplinary approach to public health, combining clinical knowledge, behavioral science, and community engagement.

Beyond his professional work, Jairo remains deeply involved in local efforts to advance equity, including serving on the Pickleweed Advisory Board for the Canal neighborhood in San Rafael, where he advises on culturally responsive community health strategies.

Jairo’s expertise lies in operationalizing equity in research and healthcare systems—building bridges between institutions and communities to foster trust, improve outcomes, and drive meaningful change for underserved populations.