I am an epidemiologist and clinical and population health researcher and innovator. My principal areas of research are at the intersection of oral health (dental and craniofacial), nutrition and growth, and environmental exposures. I have been PI of projects in India, Thailand and at KATH/KNUST in Ghana. I thrive in translational and team science and have over 50 publications with a wide range of experts in disciplines far from my own. One example is the Nifty cup, which is a product designed to feed infants in low and middle-income countries with breastfeeding difficulties (cup feeding is recommended by WHO). I spearheaded the design of the Nifty cup collaborating with a pediatrician, lactation consultant, occupational therapist, maternal and child health expert, engineer, and a commercialization team. The Nifty cup is now commercialized, and over 180,000 cups have been sold worldwide. I have led numerous hospital EHR based studies on growth in infants with cleft.
I am passionate about training the next generation in biomedical research both in the US and internationally. I am PI of a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded training grant based in Ghana that is establishing new degree programs in biomedical data science. I am PI of the NIH/NCATS KL2 program at the University of Washington supporting KL2 Scholars across the translational spectrum (from basic to implementation science), which supports 20 scholars each year. I co-lead all programmatic aspects of these programs, including seminars and curriculum and mentorship. In addition, I support colleagues in Thailand on their efforts on Developing Clinical and Public Health Research Training in Oral Health for SE Asia by providing training in research methods and grant writing. I direct the Seattle Children’s Career Development Award programs, which supports early career scientists applying for K and R awards. I direct a 10-week program called the Craniofacial and Oral Health Online (COHO) Institute which has trained over 650 oral health professionals from 57 countries (80% international) in the basics of clinical research methods.
In summary, I have a strong passion for interdisciplinary research, a solid record directing training programs and mentoring and experience working in international research. I am excited to expand the DS-CHANGE program with our short term training to engage Ghana hospitals teams in research, which leverages my passion for training with my experience conducting hospital-based research.