Dr. Kimberly A. Parker - 2009

Dr. Kimberly A. Parker, Assistant Professor of Health Studies, conducts qualitative research involving sexual behaviors that influence STD and HIV transmission in African American men and women.  Dr. Parker recently served as the qualitative evaluator for a Phase I clinical trial to assess safety, tolerability, and product acceptability of a vaginal mircobicide gel (UC781) being studied to prevent HIV transmission. The two-year grant was funded primarily by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 Dr. Parker also serves as the qualitative researcher/evaluator for two HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) grants in the Atlanta-Metropolitan area. The HIV SeroIncidence Study (ISIS-HPTN 064) was awarded $750,000 for two years and is a prospective study to estimate the overall HIV type 1 incidence rates in African American women at risk for HIV acquisition. The "Brothers" project (HPTN 061) was awarded $ 1 million for two years and is a needs assessment project conducted to obtain information needed to design a full community-randomized trial of an intervention designed to reduce HIV incidence among Black MSM.

Dr. Gay James  - 2008

Dr. Gay James, TWU department chair of health studies has been selected to receive the 2008 Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance's (TAHPERD) David K. Brace Award, which exemplifies the best in service, teaching, administration and/or research.  To be the recipient of this prestigious award, Dr. James must have been a Emeritus member of TAHPERD for ten years, along with a minimum of twenty years experience in the fields of health, physical education, recreation, and /or dance.  This award ceremony will be held at the 85th Annual TAHPERD Convention in Corpus Christi, TX on Friday, December 5th. 

TAHPERD is a not-for-profit professional association of individuals in the allied fields of health education, physical education, recreation, and dance.  This Texas-based association of over 4,500 members is committed to the development of knowledge and programs that promote active, healthy lifestyles and enhance skilled, aesthetic motor performance. 

Dr. Jody Early-Oomen - 2008

The TWU Health Studies Department was awarded $13,500 by the North Texas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which awarded a total of $1 million in grants this year to 13 organizations that provide breast cancer services to residents in Denton, Collin and Grayson counties.

TWU is the first university to receive funding from the North Texas Affiliate.

Dr. Jody Oomen-Early, TWU assistant professor of health studies, and Ms. Priyanka Lalwani, TWU Health Education coordinator, serve as the grant's principal investigators and program directors.

"The mission of the program is to save lives by providing culturally competent breast health education and community outreach throughout Denton County, especially to those who are uninsured or are not able to pay for care," Dr. Oomen-Early said.

The program will utilize multiple strategies to reach at least 1,000 Denton County women, including breast health education in churches, beauty salons, medical clinics, and local businesses; mobile mammography, and a survivor support network. To learn more about the program, visit http://www.pioneerbreasthealth.com/.