As Assistant Professor of Community & Public Health Nutrition, I focus on research and teaching. My research will continue to focus on the health of black women as it relates to weight, nutrition and physical activity. Through behavioral weight control interventions my work aims to reduce health disparities in obesity and related diseases (ex. diabetes, cardiovascular disease).

In my role as a Postdoctoral Associate, my work will focus on understanding cardiovascular disease risk factors (e.g. obesity, health behaviors) among African Americans of different religious/spiritual denominations using quantitative and qualitative approaches. My work to reduce disparities in behavioral weight loss interventions among African American women will continue to develop.

As a Research Associate on an NIH - National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities funded grant, in collaboration with investigators at Winston-Salem State University, I designed content for and implemented a behavioral health intervention purposed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk among African American college students. This population is at high risk due to hypertension, overweight/obesity, and poor dietary and physical activity habits. My role included design of the behavioral intervention, integrating theoretical foundations of behavior, and delivery of the intervention (which included a mobile phone application).

As a research assistant in the UNC Weight Research Program, I participate in conducting internet-delivered interventions for behavior modification focused on weight loss, weight maintenance, and weight gain prevention in various populations. Additional responsibilities include grant preparation, manuscript development and publication.

Conducted formative work for the Seeds of H.O.P.E. weight loss intervention for low-income women, a community-based research project. Assisted in curriculum development, program management, and manuscript production.Conducted formative work for the Carolina Community Network II project to reduce disparities in prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer in minorities.