Which program within the Department of Environmental Health Sciences are you currently enrolled?
PhD in Health Behavior
What universities have you attended, degrees earned, and graduation years?
University of Alabama at Birmingham, B.S. in Finance, 2002; University of Alabama School of Law, JD, 2006
What is your anticipated graduation date from your current program?
Spring 2025
Tell me about yourself:
I grew up in a very small town next to a military base in southeast Alabama. At the age of 16, I escaped to the Alabama School of Math and Science, a residential boarding school in Mobile. I came to UAB for undergraduate studies in 1998.
I’ve worked in public health in some capacity, both domestically and internationally, for more than fifteen years. After graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law, I created Alabama’s first legal program for people living with HIV. From there, I traveled to the Republic of Northern Macedonia to serve in the U.S. Peace Corps. I have also served as the director of policy and advocacy at AIDS Alabama and the executive director of Thrive Alabama in Huntsville. My most recent gig before coming to UAB was as the executive director of the Southern AID Coalition (SAC), a regional organization working to end the HIV epidemic across 16 southern states and the District of Columbia. After four long years of tremendous organizational growth, I needed a break and sought refuge at UAB. I started as a program manager with Dr. Sonya Heath in the School of Medicine, but I quickly started taking advantage of my employee tuition assistance. I’m now a clinical research coordinator and the deputy director of the new Center for the Study of Sexual and Gender Health at the UAB School of Public Health.
Why did you choose to study Health Behavior? And why at UAB?
During my time at the Southern AID Coalition, I saw firsthand the power of data and research to influence public health policy. I was often the messenger sharing that research with policymakers. When I decided to leave SAC, I knew I wanted to be the person generating the research one day. Choosing to come to UAB was an easy decision. I was already a Blazer (class of ’02) and our School of Public Health is top notch. I never considered anywhere else. For better or worse, Alabama is home, and I’m deeply committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the people here.
Is there a faculty member who has made an impact on your academic journey during this program?
This one is easy. Dr. Sarah MacCarthy has changed my life. Truthfully, prior to meeting Dr. MacCarthy, I was a little adrift. I was enjoying my coursework and making good progress in the program, but I didn’t have a clear vision for where I wanted everything to go. Shortly after arriving at UAB, Dr. MacCarthy came and introduced herself to my cohort. I was so impressed with her and the vision she shared for LGBTQ health that I immediately knew I had to be part of it. I chased her down the hallway after her talk, spilled my whole life story, and begged her to find an opportunity for us to work together. Since then, Dr. MacCarthy has given me so many meaningful opportunities to contribute, learn, and grow at UAB.
What’s been your favorite class in the School of Public Health and why?
I love anything taught by Dr. Greg Pavela. He puts tremendous thought and effort into his courses, and it really shows. My favorite course thus far has been Survey Design and Analysis (HB639) but I’m taking Moderation in Behavioral Sciences (HB742) with him this Spring even though I’ve already satisfied all the course requirements for graduation. Whenever Dr. Pavela is teaching a course, I intend to take it.