Director, HealthCare Partnership, College of Science – Psychology
Internship/Directed Research Sponsor, College of Science – Psychology
Instructor, General Education
zenen@arizona.edu
520-626-9344
Zenén Salazar rejoined the University of Arizona’s Healthcare Partnership in 2022 as Director. His career has focused on clinical research related to commercial tobacco use and nicotine addiction treatments, as well as leading education and community service initiatives. From 1993 to 1997, he held a leadership role in a key study on the effects of transdermal nicotine on Hispanics at the Arizona Program for Nicotine & Tobacco Research (AzPNTR). He also coordinated the launch of the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline (ASHLine) and was lead author of the 2006 American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking® program. From 1998 to 2008, Salazar co-developed and implemented Arizona’s tobacco dependence education model and authoredand taught Spanish-language certification programs focused on culturally and linguistically competent care. He also contributed to studies on provider training using innovative eLearning strategies for promotoras and promotores in tobacco dependence treatment. After transitioning to the mortgage industry from 2008 to 2022, Salazar held the leadership role of Vice President/Director of Compliance & Policy Management overseeing regulatory compliance and co-led a COVID-19 Task Force. Since 2022, he has been leading a public health initiative with the Indian Health Service to improve commercial tobacco prevention and control training for healthcare providers. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Arizona Health Education Center (SEAHEC).