Current Research Projects
AC3-African Cancer Genome Cohort (ACGR) to promote health equity among patients of African Ancestry: Characterization of genetic and molecular drivers 03/01/23 - 2/28/2025 (Pfizer and Fox Chase subcontract)
Role: Site PI
Prostate Cancer is a major global public health problem that disproportionately affects individuals of African ancestry more than their white and Asian counterparts. Prostate cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths among all men of African ancestry worldwide. The etiology of prostate cancer and the cause of more aggressive disease among Black men is still unclear. This project focuses on creating an African cancer genome cohort. The incidence of prostate cancer in the Caribbean and Africa is increasing. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Caribbean and Sub-Saharan African men. US Black men have higher mortality rates in comparison to US White men.
Role: Site PI
Prostate Cancer is a major global public health problem that disproportionately affects individuals of African ancestry more than their white and Asian counterparts. Prostate cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths among all men of African ancestry worldwide. The etiology of prostate cancer and the cause of more aggressive disease among Black men is still unclear. This project focuses on creating an African cancer genome cohort. The incidence of prostate cancer in the Caribbean and Africa is increasing. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Caribbean and Sub-Saharan African men. US Black men have higher mortality rates in comparison to US White men.
AC3-IRONMAN 02/01/21 - 2/28/2026 (PCCTC and Fox Chase subcontract)
Role: Site PI
The IRONMAN Registry focuses on creating an international, population-based, prospective registry of 5,000 men with advanced prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium, LLC (PCCTC) is the Clinical and Data Coordinating Center (CDCC) for this international study and is working in partnership with Fox Chase Cancer Center through the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium.
Role: Site PI
The IRONMAN Registry focuses on creating an international, population-based, prospective registry of 5,000 men with advanced prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium, LLC (PCCTC) is the Clinical and Data Coordinating Center (CDCC) for this international study and is working in partnership with Fox Chase Cancer Center through the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium.
Shot on the Spot 07/31/2021-07/30/23 (no cost extension) (HRSA)
Role: Co-PI
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affecting Black communities, The University of Alabama (UA) partnered with the Rural Alabama Prevention Center (RAPC), a community-based healthcare organization, to improve the vaccination rate from 34% vaccinated Alabama Black Belt residents to 70% over a year. Health literacy training is provided to community health workers and students who, along with the team members, volunteer at pop-up Shot on the Spot vaccination sites to administer surveys collecting demographics and vaccine hesitancy data.
Role: Co-PI
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affecting Black communities, The University of Alabama (UA) partnered with the Rural Alabama Prevention Center (RAPC), a community-based healthcare organization, to improve the vaccination rate from 34% vaccinated Alabama Black Belt residents to 70% over a year. Health literacy training is provided to community health workers and students who, along with the team members, volunteer at pop-up Shot on the Spot vaccination sites to administer surveys collecting demographics and vaccine hesitancy data.
Racial Disparities in Kidney Disease Diagnosis and Treatment 05/01/21-11/30/2023 (CVS)
Role: Co-PI
The goal of the study is to develop and implement a health literacy intervention designed to decrease the racial disparities in kidney disease and increase the number of individuals using home hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis.
Role: Co-PI
The goal of the study is to develop and implement a health literacy intervention designed to decrease the racial disparities in kidney disease and increase the number of individuals using home hemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis.