Research Interests
Biopsychosocial Research Program
My interdisciplinary research investigates how social determinants and structural drivers influence adolescent mental health conditions. I am particularly interested in how biological mechanisms, such as epigenetic DNA methylation, and public policies confer health risk or resilience during development for youth exposed to trauma. I work primarily with vulnerable populations defined by rurality, low socioeconomic status, minority race/ethnicity, or chronic childhood health conditions.
Whole Person Integrated Care (externally-funded project):
With grant funding from Eastpointe (MCO), Carter Clinic, PA and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Frank Porter Graham (FPG) are collaborating to facilitate Whole Person Integrated Care (WPIC) in their catchment areas using a case management approach. The goal of the initiative is to build a network referral system with health care providers to cities in rural areas of North Carolina. Learn more on the WPIC website!
North Carolina Community Engagement (externally-funded projects):
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- School of Government – ncIMPACT: The television show, ncIMPACT, hosted by Dr. Anita R. Brown-Graham, is part of the ncIMPACT Initiative, a statewide effort launched by the UNC School of Government. This initiative was created to help local communities use data and evidence to improve conditions and inform decision-making. The show tackles issues in NC related to education, jobs, healthcare, and more. Learn more about this program here.
- NC Early Childhood Foundation (NC ECF) Parent Survey: Recent survey data from the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation of 802 working parents with children 0-5 years (a representative state sample) will be analyzed to determine if significant differences exist in childcare experiences pre- and during-COVID for low-income families based on household income and number of dependents across demographic factors including race/ethnicity, English language skills, education, single parenting, rurality, and occupational industry.
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Rural Mental Health (publications in development):
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- Impaired Caregivers & Child Outcomes (Clinical Sample- Carter Clinic Study)
- Developmental and Intergenerational Trajectories of Mental Health From Childhood to Adulthood (NC Community Sample- Great Smoky Mountains Study)
- Childhood Trauma Clinical and Behavioral Outcomes (National Sample- National Center Child Traumatic Stress)
- Childhood Maltreatment Prevention and the Promise of Nurse Home-Visiting Programs (NC Community Sample- Family Connects)
Vulnerable Pediatric Populations (publications in development):
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- My Childhood Cancer Study on Pediatric Cancer (National Community Sample)
- Adolescent Positive Youth Development Study on Childhood Chronic Conditions (Clinical Sample- Duke Pediatrics)