The UAB Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center (MHERC) is a University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Center approved by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. The Center provides UAB faculty with an infrastructure for conducting innovative research to improve the health status of vulnerable and disadvantaged populations and expands the participation of minorities in research and education.
If you are a UAB faculty member with an interest in health disparities, we invite you to submit an application to become a member of the MHERC. Appointments are available in the categories of Senior Scientist and Associate Scientist depending on faculty status and academic rank.
MHERC Services for Members
Research
- Identify opportunities in minority health and health disparities research
- Link researchers with other investigators as research partners
- Assist in the development of grant proposals
- Provide peer-review services for research proposals and scientific publications
- Provide quarterly seminars on the science of health disparities
- Promote the work of investigators in health disparities research through symposia and other scientific events
- Fund pilot projects in minority health and health disparities
Training and Career Development
- Provide training in health disparities research - online courses in epidemiology and biostatistics, bioethics workshop, video conference series, and grant- and manuscript-writing retreats - to post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty accepted into the Health Disparities Research Education Program
- Link faculty with opportunities to develop their careers in health disparities research
- Provide mentoring for junior faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students interested in health disparities research, as well as undergraduate minority students
- Offer summer research opportunities to graduate students and enrichment opportunities to minority undergraduate students
- Offer an alumni program for trainees and scholars
Community Engagement
- Link researchers with community organizations, state agencies, and minority-serving institutions
- Assist with recruitment and retention of minority participants in research studies
- Provide patient navigation services, train volunteers as lay patient navigators and community health leaders
- Develop culturally appropriate health communication and health promotion campaigns
- Provide service learning opportunities to UAB students
Apply for Membership
Submit your Membership Application using the form below, including your interest in health disparities research and your Curriculum Vitae.
Please direct any membership emails or questions to the following:
emilykhudson@uabmc.edu
annsmith@uabmc.edu
jrledvina@uabmc.edu