Research & Community
Welcome to the Research and Community section of my portfolio. Here, you’ll find examples of research initiatives I’ve contributed to, alongside impactful outreach efforts aimed at fostering healthier communities. Each project reflects my commitment to bridging the gap between evidence-based research and meaningful, real-world solutions.
Current Research/Community Projects
Nebraska Environmental Public Health Tracking
Funder: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PI: Jesse Bell/Derry Stover
The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program aims to integrate health and environmental data in user-friendly platforms to drive actions that improve community health. My role in this project is to lead communications and outreach efforts for the Nebraska program, focusing on environmental hazards and exposures such as extreme heat, carbon monoxide, radon, drinking water contamination, and others.
Expanding Work on Communicating the Impacts of Drought on Human Health in the Missouri River Basin
Funder: Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS) PI: Jesse Bell/Rachel Lookadoo
Drought is one of the costliest and deadliest disasters. This project seeks to develop, text, and implement tailored drought risk communication products for audiences in the Missouri River Basin. My role in this project is developing, testing, and implementing tailored drought communication products to increase awareness and preparedness.
Nebraska Tornado Quick Response: Assessing Community Impacts and Early Warning
Funder: National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Natural Hazards Center PI: Kristina Kintziger/Sarah Scales
The project explores how early warning systems functioned during the 2024 arbor day tornado outbreak in Nebraska. The study aims to improve disaster preparedness and response, especially in hard-to-reach populations, and contribute to future multi-hazard early warning systems. My role in this project is to develop communications products such as survey solicitations, factsheets, and videos of findings for the affected communities.
Educating on Environmental Health Issues from Environmental Degradation Resulting from Farming Practices
Funder: Walton Family Foundation PI: Jesse Bell
This project assesses knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Nebraskan Health Care Providers (HCPs) around the issue of drinking water contamination. This project will use these findings to develop tailored communication tools to raise awareness and knowledge on steps that individuals can take to reduce the risk of exposure to contaminants, such as nitrate, in drinking water. My role in this project is to assist with survey development and creation of tailored health communications products.
Previous Research/Community Projects
Nationwide Assessment of Tobacco 21 Stakeholder Attitudes
Funder: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation PI: Daisy Dai
This project assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of stakeholders regarding the Tobacco 21 law, raising the minimum purchasing age of tobacco products from age 18 to 21. My role in this project was to lead the research efforts, provide qualitative analysis, and manuscript development.
See Journal Article:
https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Strengthening-Tobacco-21-Implementation-and-Enforcement-to-Reduce-Tobacco-Related,163299,0,2.html#funding