Dr. Dori Pekmezi, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Behavior, has been awarded a Research Project Grant (R01) of $3 million from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Pekmezi's research will focus on Interactive Voice Response (IVR) -supported cancer prevention interventions in the rural Alabama Black Belt.

The study will involve a fully powered randomized controlled trial of the refined, multi-level 12-month Deep south IVR-supported Active Lifestyle (DIAL) intervention with a waitlist control condition (N=240 rural, mostly African American adults). Recruitment for the five-year project will be led by the Deep South Network for Cancer Control (CHAs) community health advisors in Black Belt counties (involved in the project since initial formative research).