Eve Puffer, PhD, is Director of the Duke Center for Global Mental Health and an Associate Professor affiliated with the Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research. A clinical-community psychologist by training, her work focuses on global mental health, particularly interventions that strengthen families and support children facing adversity.

Eve leads Coping Together, a North Carolina-based family-strengthening program, and its Spanish adaptation, Caminando Juntos, designed for Latina immigrant families. Both were adapted from Tuko Pamoja, an evidence-based family intervention developed in Kenya. She also collaborates on research developing and evaluating interventions for families in humanitarian settings, emphasizing reciprocal innovation by applying lessons from low- and middle-income countries to improve care in the United States.

Her daily work involves leading international research teams, teaching undergraduate and graduate students, and collaborating with CHPIR colleagues on shared projects. Guided by a deep commitment to helping children and families thrive, Eve finds balance and inspiration through yoga and meaningful global partnerships.

Current, Future, Prior Projects

A family-based intervention prevention + treatment package: Evaluation in Eldoret, Kenya (PI)

• Duke Chancellor’s Office
• Lafitte Foundation
• Previous: Grand Challenges Canada, Duke Global Health Institute

Evaluation of a Multi-Level Positive Parenting Intervention among Burmese Migrant Families in Thailand (Co-PI)

• Lego Foundation (Role: Co PI)

Coping Together: Providing a family resilience intervention to families in NC (PI)

• DGHI
• Durham County

Long-term health outcomes and dissemination strategies for adolescent character strength interventions (Collaborator)

• Templeton Foundation

Graduating to Resilience Activity Research on Coaching Methodology

• AVSI Foundation