I have the expertise, leadership, training and motivation necessary to successfully carry out research related to vaccine preventable diseases and increase diversity in clinical trial participation. I have a broad background in infectious disease, vaccine science, epidemiology and health disparities research, with specific training and expertise in vaccine access and outcomes in at risk populations as well as community strategies for increasing marginalized community participation in research, particularly clinical trials. I am trained in epidemiology methods and community based participatory research. As a clinician and researcher, I have laid the groundwork by establishing a broad network of nearly 30 community organizations to participate in longitudinal research projects focused on clinical trial recruitment for vaccines, cancer and infectious diseases. As a result of these previous experiences in both clinic, community and research settings, I am aware of the importance of frequent communication among project members and of constructing a realistic research plan, timeline, and budget. In the role of project lead or collaborator, I have successfully carried out all aspects of research design and execution as well as peer- reviewed publications. I also created multiple forums to receive community feedback on the research through all stages. I am the lead investigator of two clinical trials, one under the RADX-UP initiative and the second under RCMI. I am also currently leading a project sponsored by Genentech-Roche to address diverse clinical trial participation in target diseases, including cancer. I have worked exclusively the last three years on multiple NIH funded projects related to COVID-19 testing and vaccines. My current research has been via multiple state, regional, national and international collaboratives on vaccine access, vaccine outcomes and COVID-19 preparedness, including local governments, state authorities, UNICEF and the WHO. In my research, I am expanding my focus to include vaccine preventable cancers, such as HPV cervical cancer and HepB and liver cancer.
