Aviva Tugendhaft is a senior researcher at the SAMRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science-PRICELESS SA, based at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) School of Public Health in South Africa. Recently earning a PhD in Public Health, she also holds a MA in health sociology and an undergraduate degree in Law.

Aviva's research focus revolves around developing, implementing, and evaluating tools to involve the public in health priority setting in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Her specific areas of interest include maternal and child health and non-communicable diseases. She was also part of the team that developed a context specific ethics framework for priority setting in south Africa.

Her work is well-reflected in numerous publications in international journals, showcasing her dedication to advancing the field. Aviva extends her impact beyond academia, actively engaging with the media and crafting short pieces to make scientific insights accessible to a wider audience. She has also engaged closely with South African policymakers and has influenced translation of research to policy.

In her recent doctoral research, Aviva modified and implemented the CHAT (Choosing All Together) tool for priority setting in a South African rural community. The work lead to further research on CHAT applications in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in maternal and child nutrition during the first 1000 days.