Larkin L. Strong, Ph.D., MPH
Department of Health Disparities Research, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
About Dr. Strong
Larkin Strong, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Disparities Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. A theme throughout her work is the recognition that health and health behaviors are embedded within social, physical, economic, and cultural contexts. Her research aims to understand how social, cultural, and environmental influences help to shape patterns of cancer preventive behaviors in minority and underserved populations, with the ultimate objective of translating research findings into health promotion efforts that stimulate meaningful change in opportunities for and adoption of healthy lifestyles. Dr. Strong works in minority and underserved communities and uses a community-engaged research approach to guide her work. She is interested in developing and evaluating innovative approaches to promote healthy lifestyles with a particular emphasis on physical activity and healthy eating. Dr. Strong’s research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, and through institutional funding. She is the PI of an R01 to evaluate the effectiveness of a family-focused community health worker-delivered intervention to promote healthy eating and physical activity in dyads of Latino adults in the Houston area. Dr. Strong also recently completed a novel social network-based pilot intervention to promote physical activity and build social support in dyads of African American and Latina women. Finally, she was a recipient of a Mentored Research Scholar Grant from the American Cancer Society that facilitated her training and research in the investigation of pathways linking physical and social environments to physical activity and sedentary behaviors in diverse samples of adults.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Member, Department of UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
Associate Professor, Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2006 | University of Washington, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, Washington, US, Health Services, Ph.D |
| 2002 | University of Washington, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, Washington, US, Social and Behavioral Sciences, MPH |
| 1997 | Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, US, Biology, BA |
Postgraduate Training
| 2006-2008 | Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Kellogg Health Scholars Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2019
Instructor, Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2012
Instructor, Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2011
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Research Assistant, Health Policy Analysis Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2001 - 2002
Program Evaluator, Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers, Seattle, WA, 2001 - 2001
Research Assistant/Editorial Manager, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2000 - 2001
Research Assistant, Dept of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, 1998 - 2000
Institutional Committee Activities
Co-chair, Health Disparities Research Faculty Search Committee, 2023 - 2023
Member, Bionutrition Research Core Advisory Committee, 2022 - Present
Reviewer, Institutional IRG Review Committee, 2021 - Present
Member, Faculty Senate, 2021 - 2024
Vice Chair, Institutional Review Board 4, 2020 - Present
Member, Cancer Prevention Research Training Program Advisory Committee, 2019 - Present
Member, Komen Training Program Executive Team, 2019 - 2021
Member, Health Disparities Research Faculty Search Committee, 2018 - 2021
Member, Internal Advisory Board, Mexican American Cohort Study, 2018 - Present
Member, Institutional Review Board 4, 2017 - Present
Member, Steering Committee, UT Population Health Strategic Plan, 2016 - 2018
Reviewer, INTEREST (Internal Review Study Section), 2016 - Present
Member, PROSPR Internal Advisory Committee, 2016 - 2017
Member, Center for Energy Balance in Cancer Prevention and Survivorship research retreat planning committee, 2015 - 2016
Faculty member, Cancer Control Platform ExxonMobil Healthy Communities Initiative, 2014 - 2016
Faculty member, Cancer Control Platform Shell Healthy Communities Initiative, 2014 - 2016
Co-Chair, Comprehensive Cancer Control Energy Balance Work Group, 2014 - 2015
Member, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Lectureship Committee, 2013 - 2014
Member, Psychosocial, Behavioral and Health Services Research Committee (PBHSRC), 2012 - 2016
Co-Chair, Health Disparities Research Faculty Search Committee, 2012 - 2013
Member, Comprehensive Cancer Control Energy Balance Work Group, 2011 - 2015
Member, Health Disparities Research Faculty Search Committee, 2011 - 2016
Honors & Awards
| Occupational Health Services Training Grant, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health | |
| Fahs-Beck Doctoral Dissertation Grant, Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation | |
| Environmental Health Promotion Student Fellow, Society for Public Health Education/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry | |
| Duncan Family Institute Mentored Junior Faculty Fellowship in Cancer Prevention Research, Duncan Family Institute | |
| Travel Award, Cancer Health Disparities Program Meetings 2011, National Cancer Institute, Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities | |
| Fellow, Physical Activity and Public Health Research Course, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center | |
| Community Based Participatory Research Trainee, Latinos Contra el Cancer Community Networks Program Center, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT School of Public Health | |
| Fellow, Built Environment Assessment Training Institute (Competitively selected), University of Pennsylvania Center for Health Behavior Research | |
| Fellow, Health Disparities Research Institute (Competitively selected), National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities | |
| Fellow, Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar (Competitively selected), Association of American Medical Colleges | |
| Fellow, Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Training Workshop (Competitively selected), National Cancer Institute, Yale Cancer Center and School of Public Health | |
| Fellow, Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Institute (Competitively selected), Society of Behavioral Medicine | |
| President’s Recognition of Faculty Excellence Award in Prevention Outreach, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Hunyadi JV, Zhang K, Xiao Q, Strong LL, Bauer C. Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Chronic Disease Burden in the U.S., 2018-2021. Am J Prev Med None(None):None, 2024. PMID: 39237065.
- Lee M, Reininger BM, Gabriel KP, Ranjit N, Strong LL. Quantile regression based method for characterizing risk-specific behavioral patterns in relation to longitudinal left-censored biomarker data collected from heterogeneous populations. J Applied Statistics None(None):1-35, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: None.
- Heredia NI, John JC, Singh S, Hwang JP, Strong LL, Balakrishnan M, McNeill LH. Understanding Primary Care Physician Perspectives on the Diagnosis and Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Qualitative Study. Inquiry 61:469580241241272, 2024. PMID: 38529894.
- Alvarado J, Strong LL, Buzcu-Guven B, Thompson LB, Cantu E, Carrier CC, Chukwu CD, Harris CL, Melendez LK, Roberson CL, Ross AM, Russell SC, Sanchez P, Tahanan A, Zdenek BC, Reininger BM, McNeill LH. Community scientist program provides bi-directional communication and co-learning between researchers and community members. J Clin Transl Sci 8(1):e18, 2024. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38384927.
- Mathew Joseph N, Strunk FA, Dhar B, Strong LL. Cardiovascular disease in South Asian Americans: A serious health concern. Journal for Nurse Practitioners 19(10):104789, 2023. PMID: None.
- Raber M, Ranjit N, Strong LL, Basen-Engquist K. Home Cooking Quality Assessment Tool Validation Using Community Science and Crowdsourcing Approaches. J Nutr Educ Behav 21(None):None, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35000831.
- Housten AJ, Hoover DS, Britton M, Bevers TB, Street RL, McNeill LH, Strong LL, Hersch J, McCaffery K, Volk RJ. Perceptions of Conflicting Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Women: a Multimethod Study. J Gen Intern Med None(None):None, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35015260.
- John JC, Heredia NI, McNeill LH, Hoelscher DM, Schembre S, Lee M, Opusunju JJ, Goetz M, Aguirre M, Reininger BM, Strong LL. Qualitative Exploration of Family Influences on Physical Activity in Hispanic Families. J Phys Act Health 19(2):89-98, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35061997.
- Basen-Engquist K, Raber M, Strong LL, Schembre S, Li L, Arun B, Lu K, You N, Vilar E, Lynch P, Fares S, Peterson SK. Optimization of an mHealth lifestyle intervention for families with hereditary cancer syndromes: Study protocol for a multiphase optimization strategy feasibility study. Contemp Clin Trials 113(None):106662, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34971795.
- John JC, Wang J, McNeill LHM, Basen-Engquist K, Hoover DS, Daniel CR, Strong LL. A Mixed Methods Study on Engagement and Satisfaction with a Digitally-Enhanced Pilot Intervention Among African American and Hispanic Women. J Immigr Minor Health 23(5):1011-1020, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33043411.
- Brown LD, Strong LL, Civallero L, Mullen PD, Chang S. Building capacity for community-based participatory research to address cancer disparities: Case report from a Community Networks Program Center. Eval Program Plann 82(None):101829, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32544719.
- Mama SK, Bhuiyan N, Chaoul A, Cohen L, Fagundes CP, Hoover DS, Strong LL, Li Y, Nguyen NT, McNeill LH. Feasibility and acceptability of a faith-based mind-body physical activity intervention among African American adults. Transl Behav Med 10(4):928-937, 2020. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30476343.
- Flores RT, MÁ C, Correa-Fernández V, Field CA, Heppner WL, Strong LL, Castro Y. Associations of multiple acculturation domains with smoking status among Latino adults. J Lat Psychol 7(3):171-183, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 31745537.
- Wu IHC, Strong LL, Nguyen NT, Cho D, John J, McNeill LH. Psychosocial Stressors, Depression, and Physical Activity among African Americans. Am J Health Behav 43(4):717-728, 2019. PMID: 31239015.
- Cho D, Nguyen NT, Strong LL, Wu IHC, John JC, Escoto KH, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Multiple health behaviors engagement in an African American cohort: Clustering patterns and correlates. Health Educ Behav 46(3):506-516, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30776919.
- Housten AJ, Hoover DS, Correa-Fernández V, Strong LL, Heppner WL, Vinci C, Wetter DW, Spears CA, Castro Y. Associations of Acculturation with English- and Spanish-Language Health Literacy Among Bilingual Latino Adults. Health Lit Res Pract 3(2):e81-e89, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31294309.
- Heredia NI, Wilkinson AV, Forman MR, Christie IC, Wang J, Daniel CR, Zhao H, Bondy ML, Strong LL. Longitudinal associations of family functioning with body mass index in Mexican-origin adolescents. Prev Med 118(None):309-316, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30419254.
- Reid EK, Castro Y, Strong LL, Heppner WL, Correa-Fernandez V. Researching cancer risk behaviors among bilingual Latinos using technology and intensive longitudinal design. SAGE Research Methods Cases, 2018. PMID: None.
- McNeill LH, Reitzel LR, Escoto KH, Roberson CL, Nguyen N, Vidrine JI, Strong LL, Wetter DW. Engaging Black Churches to Address Cancer Health Disparities: Project CHURCH. Front Public Health 19:191, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30073158.
- Eder MM, Holzer J, Calhoun K, Strong LL. A retrospective on the vision for Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action. Prog Community Health Partnersh 11(1):1-11, 2017. PMID: 28603145.
- Heredia NI, Krasny S, Strong LL, Von Hatten L, Nguyen L, Reininger BM, McNeill LH, Fernández ME. Community Perceptions of Biobanking Participation: A Qualitative Study among Mexican-Americans in Three Texas Cities. Public Health Genomics 20(1):46-57, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27926908.
- Raber M, Chandra J, Upadhyaya M, Schick V, Strong LL, Durand C, Sharma S. An evidence-based conceptual framework of healthy cooking. Prev Med Rep 4:23-8, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27413657.
- Strong LL, Hoover DS, Heredia NI, Krasny S, Spears CA, Correa-Fernández V, Wetter DW, Fernandez ME. Perspectives of Mexican-origin smokers on healthy eating and physical activity. Health Educ Res 31(4):465-77, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27240536.
- Bigman G, Rajesh V, Koehly LM, Strong LL, Oluyomi AO, Strom SS, Wilkinson AV. Family cohesion and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among Mexican origin adolescents: A longitudinal perspective. J Phys Act Health 12(7):1023-30, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25919963.
- Castro Y, Fernández ME, Strong LL, Stewart DW, Krasny S, Hernandez Robles E, Heredia N, Spears CA, Correa-Fernández V, Eakin E, Resnicow K, Basen-Engquist K, Wetter DW. Adaptation of a counseling intervention to address multiple cancer risk factors among overweight/obese Latino smokers. Health Educ Behav 42(1):65-72, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25527143.
- Li R, Raber M, Mejia L, Domenech M, Brewster A, Swartz MC, Strong LL, Chandra J. Development and feasibility of a culturally sensitive cooking and physical activity program designed for obese Hispanic families. ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition 7:86-93, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: None.
- Reitzel LR, Regan SD, Nguyen N, Cromley EK, Strong LL, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Density and proximity of fast food restaurants and body mass index among African Americans. Am J Public Health 104(1):110-6, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23678913.
- Strong LL, Reitzel LR, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Associations of perceived neighborhood physical and social environments with physical activity and television viewing in African American men and women. Am J Health Promot 27(6):401-9, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23398134.
- Reitzel LR, Nguyen N, Strong LL, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Subjective social status and health behaviors among African Americans. Am J Health Behav 37(1):104-11, 2013. PMID: 22943107.
- Castro Y, Basen-Engquist K, Fernandez ME, Strong LL, Eakin EG, Resnicow K, Li Y, Wetter DW. Design of a randomized controlled trial for multiple cancer risk behaviors among Spanish-speaking Mexican-origin smokers. BMC Public Health 13:237, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23506397.
- Strong LL, Anderson CB, Miranda PY, Bondy ML, Zhou R, Etzel C, Spitz M, Wilkinson AV. Gender differences in sociodemographic and behavioral influences of physical activity in Mexican-origin adolescents. J Phys Act Health 9(6):829-39, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21952224.
- de Heer HD, Wilkinson AV, Strong LL, Bondy ML, Koehly LM. Sitting time and health outcomes among Mexican origin adults: obesity as a mediator. BMC Public Health 12(1):896, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23092387.
- Schulz AJ, Israel BA, Coombe CM, Gaines C, Reyes AG, Rowe Z, Sand SL, Strong LL, Weir S. A Community-Based Participatory Planning Process and Multilevel Intervention Design: Toward Eliminating Cardiovascular Health Disparities. Health Promot Pract 12(6):900-911, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21873580.
- Strong LL, Starks HE, Meischke H, Thompson B. Perspectives of Mothers in Farmworker Households on Reducing the Take-Home Pathway of Pesticide Exposure. Health Educ Behav 36(5):915-29, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19136611.
- Strong LL, Thompson B, Koepsell TD, Meischke H, Coronado GD. Reducing the take-home pathway of pesticide exposure: behavioral outcomes from the para niños saludables study. J Occup Environ Med 51(8):922-33, 2009. PMID: 19620892.
- Strong LL, Israel BA, Schulz AJ, Reyes A, Rowe Z, Weir SS, Poe C. Piloting interventions within a community-based participatory research framework: lessons learned from the healthy environments partnership. Prog Community Health Partnersh 3(4):327-34, 2009. PMID: 20097994.
- Strong LL, Thompson B, Koepsell TD, Meischke H. Factors associated with pesticide safety practices in farmworkers. Am J Ind Med 51(1):69-81, 2008. PMID: 18033725.
- Strong LL, Von Korff M, Saunders K, Moore JE. Cost-effectiveness of two self-care interventions to reduce disability associated with back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 31(15):1639-45, 2006. PMID: 16816756.
- Strong LL, Zimmerman FJ. Occupational injury and absence from work among African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White workers in the national longitudinal survey of youth. Am J Public Health 95(7):1226-32, 2005. PMID: 15983275.
- Strong LL, Thompson B, Coronado GD, Griffith WC, Vigoren EM, Islas I. Health symptoms and exposure to organophosphate pesticides in farmworkers. Am J Ind Med 46(6):599-606, 2004. PMID: 15551369.
- Coronado GD, Thompson B, Strong LL, Griffith WC, Islas I. Agricultural task and exposure to organophosphate pesticides among farmworkers. Environ Health Perspect 112(2):142-7, 2004. PMID: 14754567.
- Pugatch D, Strong LL, Has P, Patterson D, Combs C, Reinert S, Rich JD, Flanigan T, Brown L. Heroin use in adolescents and young adults admitted for drug detoxification. J Subst Abuse 13(3):337-46, 2001. PMID: 11693456.
- Rich JD, Strong LL, Mehrotra M, Macalino G. Strategies to optimize the impact of needle exchange programs. AIDS Read 10(7):421-9, 2000. PMID: 10932846.
- Pugatch D, Ramratnam M, Strong LL, Feller A, Levesque B, Dickinson BP. Gender Differences in HIV Risk Behaviors among Young Adults and Adolescents Entering a Massachusetts Detoxification Center. Subst Abus 21(2):79-86, 2000. PMID: 12466648.
- Rich JD, Strong LL, Towe CW, McKenzie M. Obstacles to needle exchange participation in Rhode Island. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 21(5):396-400, 1999. PMID: 10458620.
- Dickinson BP, Mylonakis E, Strong LL, Rich JD. Potential infections related to anabolic steroid injection in young adolescents. Pediatrics 103(3):694, 1999. PMID: 10189297.
Other Articles
- John JC, Ho J, Raber M, Basen-Engquist K, Jacobson L, Strong LL Dyad and group-based interventions in physical activity, diet, and weight loss: a systematic review of the evidence. J Behav Med 47(3):355-373, 2024. PMID: 38017250.
- Raber M, Liao Y, Rara A, Schembre SM, Krause KJ, Strong LL, Daniel-MacDougall C, Basen-Engquist K A systematic review of the use of dietary self-monitoring in behavioural weight loss interventions: delivery, intensity and effectiveness. Public Health Nutr 24(17):5885-5913, 2021. PMID: 34412727.
- Coletta AM, Peterson SK, Gatus LA, Krause KJ, Schembre SM, Gilchrist SC, Arun B, You YN, Rodriguez-Bigas MA, Strong LL, Lu KH, Basen-Engquist K Diet, Weight Management, Physical Activity and Ovarian & Breast Cancer Risk in Women with BRCA1/2 Pathogenic Germline Gene Variants: Systematic Review. Hered Cancer Clin Pract 18:5, 2020. PMID: 32165993.
- Coletta AM, Peterson SK, Gatus LA, Krause KJ, Schembre SM, Gilchrist SC, Pande M, Vilar E, You YN, Rodriguez-Bigas MA, Strong LL, Lynch PM, Lu KH, Basen-Engquist K Energy balance related lifestyle factors and risk of endometrial and colorectal cancer among individuals with lynch syndrome: a systematic review. Fam Cancer 18(4):399-420, 2019. PMID: 31236808.
Abstracts
- Strong LL, Milbury K, Hernandez J, Silva R, Dominguez E, Fernandez ME, Strong LL, Ma H. Formative research to adapt a mindfulness-based intervention for Latino cancer patients and their family caregivers. Ann Behav Med 58(Suppl 1):S282, 2024. PMID: None.
- Quinones-Cordero M, Heffner KL, Marquez DX, Bronas UG, Strong LL. Panel 19: Latinos' engagement in behavioral medicine trials: Fostering success. Ann Behav Med 57(Suppl 1):S432, 2023. PMID: None.
- Strong LL, Russell S, Thompson L, Cantu E, Carrier C, Chukwu C, Escareno J, Harris C, Macias L, Pena J, Roberson C, Zdenek B, Reininger B, McNeill LH. The Community Scientist Program: Utilizing a multi-site rapid feedback approach to facilitate community engagement in research. J Cancer Educ 37(Suppl 1):None, 2022. PMID: 36198933.
- Strong LL, Classen S, Paredes S, Dominguez E, John JC, Goetz M, McNeill LH, Hoelscher DM, Lee M, Reininger BM. Experiences and lessons learned from a community health worker lifestyle intervention for Latinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ann Behav Med 55(Suppl 1):S208, 2021. PMID: None.
- Strong LL, Lee M, Bhavsar S, John JC, McNeill LH, Goetz M, Schembre S, Hoelscher D, Reininger B. Recruitment of Latinos for a dyadic family lifestyle intervention study: Experiences from the Tu Salud, ¡Si Cuenta! Trial. Ann Behav Med 54(Suppl 1):S202, 2020. PMID: None.
- Strong LL, Oluyomi A, Hamilton W, Nguyen N, Wetter DW, McNeill LH. Associations of Police-reported Crime with Physical Activity in a Faith-based Sample of African Americans. Ann Behav Med 53(Suppl 1):S535, 2019. PMID: None.
- John JC, Wang J, McNeill LH, Basen-Engquist K, Hoover DS, Daniel CR, Strong LL. A Process Evaluation of Satisfaction and Engagement Measures from Project FITT: A Mixed Methods Study on Physical Activity. Ann Behav Med 53(Suppl 1):S372, 2019. PMID: None.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2023. Challenges in patient and community-level translation: Reaching low SES and rural communities. Invited. Center for Energy Balance in Cancer prevention and Survivorship Day of Science. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. The Joint Center on Geospatial Analysis and Health: How two institutions partnered to democratize geospatial data and improve population health, Panel presentation. Invited. School of Public Health, UT Health Science Center at Houston Center for Health Systems Research Policy, and Practice Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Community-engaged research and cancer prevention: Lessons learned from the Tu Salud, ¡Si Cuenta! study. Invited. Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Cancer Prevention and Control Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Community-engaged research to promote healthy eating and physical activity in Hispanic/Latino families. Invited. Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine Research Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Community-engaged research to promote healthy eating and physical activity in Hispanic/Latino families. Invited. General Internal Medicine Clinical and Research Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Faculty Promotions -- Moving Ahead on the Tenure Track. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Social Contexts, Health Behaviors, and Cancer Prevention. Invited. General Internal Medicine Clinical and Research Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. Tu Salud Si Cuenta! Promoting healthy lifestyles in Latino family dyads. Invited. Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Cancer Prevention and Control Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Addressing Health Disparities in Primary Cancer Prevention. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Preliminary findings from a social network-based physical activity intervention in African American and Hispanic women. Invited. Energy Balance Research Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Fitness Tracking Together: Using social networks to promote physical activity in African American and Hispanic women. Conference. Energy Balance and Cancer Research Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Social networks, social support, and mobile technology: New approaches for promoting physical activity. Invited. Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Cancer Prevention and Control Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Environmental, social, and biobehavioral mechanisms underlying weight, eating behavior, and physical activity. Conference. Energy Balance and Cancer Research Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and physical activity in Overweight Mexican-Origin Smokers. Invited. Energy Balance and Cancer Research Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Neighborhood matters: How characteristics of the residential environment relate to physical activity, sedentary behavior, and body mass index among African American adults. Invited. Presentation for the Energy Balance Journal Club, US.
- 2013. Neighborhood Matters: How Characteristics of the residential environment relate to physical activity, sedentary behavior, and body mass index among African American adults. Invited. 11th Annual Disparities in Health in America Workshop, US.
- 2011. Disparities in Cancer Prevention: The Important Role of Context. Invited, US.
- 2009. Correlates of physical activity in Mexican-origin youth. Invited. The Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Cancer Prevention and Control Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2009. Physical Activity Among Mexican Origin Youth: Importance, Context, and Correlates. Invited. 7th Annual Disparities in Health in America Workshop, US.
- 2009. Assessment and Promotion of Physical Activity in Low-Income, Urban Communities: Community-based Participatory Research in Detroit and the Mexican American Cohort Study in Houston. Invited. Center for Research on Minority Health Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2022. How two institutions partnered to democratize geospatial data and improve population health. Conference. Healthier Texas Summit. Austin, TX, US.
- 2022. Leveraging existing technology to enhance physical activity in inactive predominantly Black and Latina women. Invited. Digital Physical Activity and Diet Collaborative Webinar. Houston, Texas, US.
National Presentations
- 2024. Family- and peer-based approaches to promote primary cancer prevention in underserved communities. Invited. Translational Science Seminar Series, US.
- 2024. Sources of support and strain in Latino patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. Conference. 17th AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. Los Angeles, CA, US.
- 2024. Formative research to adapt a mindfulness-based intervention for Latino cancer patients and their family caregivers. Conference. Poster Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2024. Sources of support and strain in Latino patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. Conference. Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2024. The Community Scientist Program and Team Science. Invited. Association of Cancer Center Administrators Team Science Network. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Latinos' engagement in behavioral medicine trials: Fostering success (panel presentation). Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Phoenix, AZ, US.
- 2023. How two research institutions are democratizing geospatial data to improve population health. Conference. Solving Critical Problems in Cancer Control using Spatial Science Meeting. Los Angeles, CA, US.
- 2022. Cultural acceptability study of a meditation-based intervention for underserved Latino cancer patients and their family caregivers. Conference. Scottsdale, AZ, US.
- 2021. Experiences and lessons learned from a community health worker lifestyle intervention for Latinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, US.
- 2020. Recruitment of Latinos for a dyadic family lifestyle intervention study: Experiences from the Tu Salud, ¡Si Cuenta! Trial. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2019. Best practices and resources for meaningful community engagement in behavioral research to promote health equity. Invited. Society of Behavioral Medicine Behavior Change Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2019. A Process Evaluation of Satisfaction and Engagement Measures from Project FITT: A Mixed Methods Study on Physical Activity. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC, US.
- 2019. Associations of police-reported crime with physical activity in a faith-based sample of African Americans. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC, US.
- 2018. Qualitative exploration of family influences on physical activity and nutrition behaviors in Latino households. Conference. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2018. Dyadic interventions to enhance social support for primary cancer prevention. Invited. Salt Lake City, Utah, US.
- 2017. Preliminary outcomes from a social network-based physical activity intervention for African American and Hispanic women. Conference. American Society of Preventive Oncology Annual Conference. Seattle, WA, US.
- 2017. Promoting physical activity in dyads of African American and Hispanic women through social networking and mobile technology. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2016. Longitudinal associations of family context with body mass index in Mexican-origin adolescents. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. Denver, CO, US.
- 2016. Fitness Tracking Together: Using social networks to promote physical activity in African American and Hispanic women. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. Denver, CO, US.
- 2016. Optimizing delivery of a distance-based weight control intervention using MOST. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC, US.
- 2016. A faith-based academic partnership for cancer prevention: Project CHURCH, an African American cohort study. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC, US.
- 2016. Using MOST to optimize a weight-management intervention for BRCA+ cancer survivors and their family members. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC, US.
- 2016. Preliminary findings from a “not yoga” study among African American churchgoers. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC, US.
- 2016. Associations of different forms of physical activity with weight status in Mexican-origin adolescents. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Washington, DC, US.
- 2016. The built, social, and family environments: Promoting healthy contexts for key preventive behaviors. Invited. Denver, Colorado, US.
- 2016. The built, social, and family environments: Promoting healthy contexts for key preventive behaviors. Invited. Tampa, Florida, US.
- 2015. Community perspectives on biobanking: A qualitative study among Mexican-origin community members living in three Texas cities. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2014. Barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and physical activity in overweight Mexican-origin smokers. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2014. Physical and social environmental contexts: Implications for disparities in active and sedentary behaviors. Invited. Baltimore, Maryland, US.
- 2014. Disparities in park availability and crime by neighborhood socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2013. Pathways linking neighborhood socioeconomic context to self-rated health in African Americans in Houston, TX. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. Boston, MA, US.
- 2013. Associations of perceived neighborhood physical and social environments with physical activity and television viewing in African American men and women. Invited. American Journal of Health Promotion Sneak Peak, US.
- 2013. Multiple factors of neighborhood deprivation differentially predict physical health in a large African American sample. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society. Miami, FL, US.
- 2013. Associations of perceived neighborhood physical and social environments with physical activity and television viewing in African American men and women. Conference. Annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2012. Associations of density and proximity of fast food restaurants with dietary intake and body mass index among an African American Cohort. Conference. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2012. Enhancing the capacity of early stage investigators to conduct community-based participatory research: Challenges and lessons learned from the Latinos Contra el Cancer Community Networks Program Center training program. Conference. Community Networks Program Centers Annual Meeting. Bethesda, MD, US.
- 2012. A Motivation and Problem Solving Intervention for Multiple Cancer Risk Behaviors among Spanish-speaking Mexican Americans. Conference. Community Networks Program Centers Annual Meeting. Bethesda, MD, US.
- 2011. Longitudinal Changes in Overweight and Obesity in Mexican American Adolescents: the Role of Sociodemographic and Behavioral Characteristics. Conference. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. Washington, DC, US.
- 2011. Latinos Contra El Cancer: Reducing Disparities through Research, Partnerships, and Action. Conference. Cancer Health Disparities Program Meeting. Rockville, MD, US.
- 2009. Correlates of Physical Activity in Mexican Origin Youth. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2008. Conducting a pilot program within a community-based participatory research framework: Lessons learned from the Healthy Environments Partnership. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2008. The Relationship between Perceived Neighborhood Conditions and Health among Detroit Caregivers of Children with Asthma. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2007. Applying CBPR to Health Services Research, Policy, and Practice. Invited. AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2006. Women's experiences reducing the take-home pathway of pesticide exposure. Conference. Society for Public Health Education Annual Conference. Boston, MA, US.
- 2004. Racial and ethnic disparities in occupational injuries and absence from work: Findings from a national study. Conference. Annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. Washington, DC, US.
- 2003. Reported health symptoms and exposure to pesticides in farmworkers in Eastern Washington. Conference. AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting. Nashville, TN, US.
International Presentations
- 2024. Associations between Social Support, Social Control, and Stage of Change with Self-reported and Objectively Assessed Physical Activity in Adult Latino Family Dyads. Conference. Annual meeting of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Omaha, US.
- 2022. The Community Scientist Program: Utilizing a multi-site rapid feedback approach to facilitate community engagement in research. Conference. International Cancer Education Conference. Baltimore, US.
- 2017. Associations of Health Literacy with Acculturation among Latino Adults. Conference. International Conference on Communication in Healthcare and the Health Literacy Annual Research Conference Joint conference. Baltimore, US.
- 2015. Evaluation of a training program in community-based participatory research (CBPR) to address cancer health disparities. Conference. International Cancer Education Conference. Tucson, US.
Formal Peers
- 2011. Approaches to Community-Engaged Research: Reaching the Underserved through Research Partnerships. Houston, Texas, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | 1/7 Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Exploring the Interplay between Area-Level Food Insecurity, Urbanicity, Persistent Poverty, and Cancer-related Health Outcomes in Texas, Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration – Pilot Project Program Grant |
| Funding Source: | NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Psycho-Spiritual Management for Patients with Advanced Cancer and their Family Caregivers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Peer-Based Approaches to Enhance Physical Activity in Dyads of Inactive Women |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Center for Innovation in Cancer Health Communication |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | UPR/MDACC Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Culturally competent education and mailed HPV self-sampling kits for improving cervical cancer screening among under-screened women living in public housing projects in Texas |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Climate vulnerability and heat island effects on physical activity in persistent poverty areas |
| Funding Source: | Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Center |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Combination Therapy for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Advanced Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Culturally competent education and HPV self-sampling to improve cervical cancer screening uptake among Black and Hispanic women living in Texas Public Housing |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Evaluating and improving breast cancer risk prediction tools for Mexican-American women |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | A culturally adapted, social support-based, physical activity interventions for South Asian Indian women in the USA: A feasibility study |
| Funding Source: | CCTS Collaborative Research Pilot Funding |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Joint Center on Geospatial Analysis and Health |
| Funding Source: | UTHealth-MD Anderson Population Health Initiative Collaborative Projects Fund |
| Role: | Multiple Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Cultural Adaptation of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Latino Cancer Patients and their Caregivers |
| Funding Source: | Community Outreach and Engagement Fund for Underserved Texans and the Duncan Family Institute Seed Funding Program |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCATS |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Diet-microbiome interactions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) etiology and outcomes |
| Funding Source: | CCSG Prevention and Population Science Research Programs Seed Funding Initiative |
| Role: | Multiple Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Tu Salud Si Cuenta! Reaching Latino family dyads to increase physical activity and healthy eating |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Tu Salud Si Cuenta! Reaching Latino family dyads to increase physical activity and healthy eating |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Tu Salud Si Cuenta! Reaching Latino family dyads to increase physical activity and healthy eating |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Fitness Tracking Together: Using Social Networks to Promote Physical Activity in African American and Hispanic Women |
| Funding Source: | UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Pathways Linking Neighborhoods and Activity Behaviors in Diverse Populations |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Developing a Culturally Relevant Model of Smoking Cessation among Latinos |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Subcontract PI |
| Title: | Reducing Cancer Disparities Among Latinos in Texas |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Be Well Southwest Houston: Implementing multilevel, evidence-based strategies with the community to reduce cancer risk, disease burden, and cancer disparities |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Refining multivariate behavioral profiling to maximize tailored cancer-related behavioral intervention outcomes |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Decoding Molecular Links of snoRNAs in Racial Disparities of NAFLD |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Cultural Adaptation of an Educational Resource in a Rare Disease |
| Funding Source: | Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Statistical approaches to tailored interventions for health behavior change |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Subcontract PI |
| Title: | Understanding implementation-related factors for a physical activity health coaching intervention in persistent poverty areas |
| Funding Source: | UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Adaptation of a hybrid lifestyle intervention for Latinos |
| Funding Source: | MDACC |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Statistical approaches to tailored interventions for health behavior change, |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | SubContract PI |
| Title: | Statistical approaches to tailored behavioral interventions for cancer prevention |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Subcontract PI |
| Title: | Improving assessment of multiple self-reported dietary and physical activity behaviors from interventions targeting socio-culturally diverse populations |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator-MDACC |
| Title: | Developing a digital cooking intervention to improve diet and reduce body weight in Hispanic/Latina women with overweight/obesity |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIMHD |
| Role: | Co-Mentor |
| Title: | Communicating Personalized risk for Lung Cancer Screening Decisions among Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds: A Qualitative Analysis |
| Funding Source: | AHRQ |
| Role: | Mentor |
| Title: | Development of statistical methods for analyzing self-reported dietary intake and physical activity data targeting a heterogeneous population |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Adaptation of a Virtual Intervention for Latinos |
| Funding Source: | Andrew Sabin Family Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | A Home-based Approach to Promoting Physical Activity Among Latinos with Prediabetes |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Subcontract PI |
| Title: | Adaptation of a mindfulness-based intervention for Latino cancer patients and their caregivers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Multiple Principle Investigator |
| Title: | Cultural adaptation of a mindfulness-based intervention for Latino cancer patients and their caregivers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCCIH |
| Role: | Multiple Principal Investigator |
| Title: | A Peer-Based Approach to Enhance Physical Activity in Inactive Women |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Covid Racial and ethnic Inequalities in teSting in Houston and Harris County (CRISIS HHC) (Supplement) |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Subcontract PI |
| Title: | HEALTH4Families: Optimizing a weight management and health behavior intervention for BRCA+ and Lynch syndrome families |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Peer-Based Approaches to Enhance Social Support for Physical Activity in Dyads of Inactive Women |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Adaptation and preliminary efficacy of a dyadic family-focused psychosocial intervention for Latina cancer patients |
| Funding Source: | Duncan Family Institute and UHAND (University of Houston/MD Anderson Cancer Center) Partnership |
| Role: | Multiple Principle Investigator |
| Title: | A Dyadic Social Support Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Female Cancer Survivors and their Co-Survivors |
| Funding Source: | Andrew Sabin Family Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Acculturation trajectories and sleep problems among Mexican Americans |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Weight Control Intervention in Obese and/or Diabetic Adults with Liver Fibrosis |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Modeling the risk of significant liver fibrosis in obesity and diabetes |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Epigenetics: linking early life events to body weight gain in Mexican origin youth |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | A Game-based Strategy to Promote Physical Activity in Dyads of Inactive Hispanic Women |
| Funding Source: | Andrew Sabin Family Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Sister ACTive: A Social Support Intervention for Sedentary Black Women |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | HEALTH4Families: Optimizing a weight management and health behavior intervention for BRCA+ and Lynch syndrome families |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta! Community Health Worker counseling, education, and text message support for sustained lifestyle behavior change in Latino adults |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Tu Salud Si Cuenta! Promoting healthy lifestyles in Latino family dyads |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Pathways to Cancer Disparities: A Biobehavioral Approach to Symptom Burden |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Pathways to Cancer Disparities: A Biobehavioral Approach to Symptom Burden |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Pathways Linking Acculturation and Obesity Risk in Mexican Americans |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Cancer-related fatigue, autonomic activity, and inflammation: a prospective study |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Pathways linking acculturation and obesity risk in Mexican Americans |
| Funding Source: | National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Fitness Tracking Together: Using Social Networks to Promote Physical Activity in African American and Hispanic Women |
| Funding Source: | UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Duncan Family Institute for Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Contextual Determinants of Cancer Risk among Mexican Americans |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Faith-based partnership to address cancer disparities in African Americans |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIMHD |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Social Determinants of Multiple Cancer Risk Factors among Latinos |
| Funding Source: | Duncan Family Institute for Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Pathways Linking Neighborhoods to Activity Behaviors in Diverse Populations |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NHLBI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | The Effect of Neighborhood Perceptions on Cancer-Related Risk Behaviors/Conditions Among Mexican-Americans |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Assessing Parental Influences on Mexican American Adolescents' Physical Activity |
| Funding Source: | UTHSC-CCTS |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Transdisciplinary Research in Energy Balance: Multi-level influences on Physical Activity, Diet, and Obesity |
| Funding Source: | Duncan Family Institute |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Community Design and Resources for Physical Activity: Relationships to Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status and Physical Activity in Mexican Origin Adolescents in Houston, TX |
| Funding Source: | University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Biobehavioral Factors Influencing diabetes (D2T) in Mexican Americans |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified December 05, 2024