OHRP Research Community Forum

Assistant Professor, Augusta University

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, with secondary appointments in the Georgia Cancer Center and Georgia Prevention Institute, all housed within the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. I received PhD training in pharmacology/toxicology, with a specific focus on cancer biology. My work involved identifying therapeutic targets for aggressive cancers which disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations. In my last six years at Augusta University, I have focused on eliminating racial/ethnic and socioeconomic health disparities regarding cancer prevention and control among minority and underserved populations. My current research interests include understanding the role of psychosocial and cultural influences in disease etiology among minority and disadvantaged populations. Allostatic load (AL), the cumulative wear and tear on the body as a result of chronic stress and life events, is elevated among minority and underserved populations and is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, pregnancy complications, and cancer mortality among others. Cultural differences in health behaviors which also serve as coping mechanisms (i.e., diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol use) can have a heavier impact on disease incidence and mortality when coupled with social determinants of health such as low socioeconomic status and poor neighborhood characteristics. Equipping individuals with knowledge regarding disease prevention and early intervention, improving self-efficacy for achieving optimal health, and catalyzing positive changes in community norms and health policy in underserved communities are my career goals. In addition to serving as Principal Investigator of Psychosocial, sociocultural, and environmental influences on physiological and behavioral responses: Exploring predictors of cancer disparities among Black women, I also serve as a Co-Investigator on Perceived Equipoise and Researcher Credibility Study (PERCs) that provides preliminary data for the current proposal. As a native of an underprivileged and largely racial/ethnic minority community in Georgia, I am intimately driven to improve the health conditions of vulnerable communities. I have the unique position of understanding cultural and behavioral influences on health for underserved communities through my own personal experiences. I believe that my passion for community-engaged research, strong community relationships, and expertise in CBPR will serve as substantial assets to Element E of the AU/GSU Georgia Research Institute for Translational Science (GRITS) project. I am confident in my ability to connect with stakeholders who are enthusiastic and committed to working to meet the needs of our community and establish higher standards of care for the population that our institution serves. My long-term research career goals include: 1) increasing community-engaged research approaches to address allostatic load and the impact of stress response on current health disparities among minority and underserved populations in the state of Georgia and nationally, and 2) increasing minority representation in health science research, with the ultimate goal of eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity.

1. Thu, Feb 202:05 PM

   A Conversation Between Participants and Researchers: What Can We Learn From Each Other? Panelist

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