University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Graduate Student, Health Behavior

Other Affiliations: Rice University, English
University of Michigan, Health Behavior and Health Education

PhD Candidate

Gillings School of Global Public Health

Thesis Title: Socialization influences on sexual health behaviors among African American men - utilizing an intergroup and intragroup approach to health disparities

About

I am a fifth year PhD student in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education.  I received my BA from Rice University and my MPH from the University of Michigan. 

My research interests lie in primary and secondary HIV prevention in the United States, specifically among gay male and MSM populations of color. I am particularly interested in how masculine ideology operates among these groups of men and how it influences the formation of integrated identity, social networks, and sexual behaviors.  I am also curious how the use of quantitative methods with LGBT populations can influence study results.  Understanding the Internet as not only a means of data collection, but as a social space for sexual and gender minorities is something I plan on pursuing at a later time.

Currently I am a UNC Kenan Fellow, work with the Student Health Action Coalition providing free HIV counseling and testing to the local community, and serve on the executive board of the HIV/STD control section of the North Carolina Public Health Association. 

My dissertation aims to examine the role of health socialization on the sexual behaviors of African American men, from an intergroup and intragroup perspective.