NHHRI Inaugural Conference 2026

From Raíces to Research: Where Community Knowledge Becomes Scientific Power

November 20–21, 2026

Connecticut Convention Center

Hartford, CT

Join researchers, universities, community organizations, and public health leaders from across the nation for two days of collaboration, innovation, and community-powered research.

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About the Conference

NHHRI convenes community-based organizations, researchers, universities, and public health leaders committed to honoring grassroots knowledge as a foundation for stronger community-powered research.

This hands-on conference explores how emerging AI tools can be responsibly integrated into Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), ensuring that community knowledge remains visible, protected, and central in the future of health innovation.

Participants will engage with keynote speakers, strategic labs, collaborative sessions, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen partnerships and advance culturally grounded research solutions.

Featured Speakers

  • Honorable Richard Blumenthal

    U.S. Senator for the State of Connecticut

  • Andrea Barton Reeves, JD

    Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Social Services

  • Laura Chanchien Parajón, MD, MPH

    Director for the Center for Health Protection at the New Mexico Department of Health

  • Victor Ramos Otero, MD

    Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Health

Our Guest Speakers

  • Waleska Crespo Rivera, DPH, PhD, MHSA

    President of Universidad Central del Caribe (UCC)

    Puerto Rico

  • April Joy Damian, PhD, MSc, CHPM, PMP

    Chief Scientific Officer and Director of the Weitzman Institute

  • Adrienne Martinez-Hollingsworth, PhD, RN, PHN, WAN

    Director of Research and Evaluation at Altamed Institute for Health Equity

  • Shannon Sanchez-Youngman, PhD

    Associate Professor at the College of Population Health at the University of New Mexico

  • IIan Shapiro, MD, MBA, FAAP, FACHE

    Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer at AltaMed Health Services

  • Krystal Tsosie, PhD, MPH, MA

    Indigenous Advocate and Director of the Tsosie Lab for Indigenous Genomic Data Equity

  • Robert Underwood

    Former Guam Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives

  • Charles Venator-Santiago, PhD

    NHHRI’s Principal Advisor for Population Health Data

  • Anne Zink, MD

    Director of Yale’s Pophive at the Yale School of Public Health

  • Bertha Coombs / Moderator

    Journalist and former CNBC health policy reporter

Hotel Reservations:

After registering for the Inaugural Conference, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to book your room at the Hartford Marriott Hotel. The hotel reservation deadline is August 18, 2026. Please note: other hotels are available in the area but are not conference preferred hotel.

The standard hotel room rate is $239/night (not including taxes and service charges).

  • Standard check-in begins at 3:00 PM; early check-in may be available based on availability.

  • Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

 

Conference Location:

100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, Conn.

Who Should Attend

Bringing together leaders across research, healthcare, public health and community innovation.