Prior Postdoctoral Fellows


Prior NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellows from Cycle 1 (05/01/2008 - 04/30/2013) and Cycle II (09/16/2013 - 04/30/2019).


Click on the (+) below for a short summary of each investigator's area of research interest and expertise:

Prior Postdocs

  • Humera Asem

    Humera Asem, MD Humera Asem

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    MD, 2006
    Residency, 2010 Obstetrics and Gynecology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Use of intrauterine devices (IUD) in women diagnosed with bipolar disorder

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor
    University of Illinois Chicago
    Research related

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    OB Hospitalist
    Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
    Research related

  • Monic Behnken

    Monic Behnken, JD, PhD Monic Behnken

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    JD, 2004 Law
    PhD, 2008 Clinical Psychology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Substance use, sexual assault, suicidality among adolescent girls

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)
    Iowa State University
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Associate Professor (Tenure Track)
    Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Science
    Iowa State University
    Research intensive

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • DOJ/Program evaluation/2011
  • Veronica Brown

    Veronica Brown, DrPH Veronica Brown

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    DrPH, 2016 Epidemiology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Maternal HPV knowledge and child vaccination uptake; factors/trends in STD/HIV screening in emergency room settings

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Research Fellow Health Policy (2018)
    University of Houston Pharmacy
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Epidemiologic Contractor (since May 2020)
    Texas Department of State Health Services
    Houston, TX
    Research intensive

  • Kristin Chambliss

    Kristin Chambliss, PhD Kristin Chambliss

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2008 Counseling Psychology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Intimate partner violence and reproductive health in ethnically diverse women

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Clinical Fellowship
    UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Houston, TX
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Private practice (Psychotherapy)
    Friendswood, TX
    Other

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • CA R25/Fellow/2009
  • Leslie Cofie

    Leslie Cofie, PhD Leslie Cofie

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2016 Health Behavior

    Topic of Research Projects

    Immigrant health and cancer prevention

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor (2018)
    Health Education and Promotion
    East Caroline University
    Research related

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor (2018)
    Health Education and Promotion
    East Caroline University
    Research related

  • Stacy Davlin

    Stacy Davlin, PhD Stacy Davlin

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2012 Epidemiology

    Topic of Research Projects

    HPV vaccination: An analysis of adverse events

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Epidemiologist
    Texas Department of Health and Human Services
    San Antonio, TX
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Epidemiologist
    Division of Global Health Protection
    Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
    Research intensive

  • Andrea DeMaria

    Andrea DeMaria, PhD Andrea DeMaria

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2011 Health Education

    Topic of Research Projects

    Sexual behaviors in contracepting young women; correlates of pubic hair grooming

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)
    Charleston College, SC
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)
    Public Health Graduate Program, Department of Consumer Sciences
    Purdue University
    Research Intensive

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • CoC SURF/Co-I/2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
    • Planned Parenthood/Co-I/2014
    • C.B. Kinley Trust/PI/2016
    • American Assoc. Birth Centers Fnd/PI/2016
  • Erika Fuchs

    Erika Fuchs, PhD Erika Fuchs

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2015 Epidemiology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Surrogacy; vaccination topics

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor and BIRCWH Scholar (2016)
    Obstetrics and Gynecology
    UTMB Health
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Senior Maternal and Child Health Epidemiologist
    Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
    Research intensive

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • HD K12/Scholar 2016
  • Tyra Gross

    Tyra Gross, PhD Tyra Gross

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2014 Public Health

    Topic of Research Projects

    Diversity issues; African American patterns of breastfeeding; mother/daughter communication

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)
    Xavier University of Louisiana
    New Orleans, LA
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)
    Xavier University of Louisiana
    New Orleans, LA
    Research intensive

  • Fangjian Guo

    Fangjian Guo, MD, PhD Fangjian Guo

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    MD, 2009
    PhD, 2014 Nutrition Sciences

    Topic of Research Projects

    Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer; cancer prevention

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor and BIRCWH Scholar (2016)
    Obstetrics and Gynecology
    UTMB Health
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)
    Obstetrics and Gynecology
    UTMB Health
    Research intensive

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • HD K12/Scholar/2016
    • JSME Fdn/PI/2017
    • CA K07/PI/2018
  • Sherry Haller

    Sherry Haller, PhD Sherry Haller

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2016 Microbiology Immunology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Long term sequelae associated with congenital Zika virus infection

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Research Development Specialist (2018)
    UTMB Health
    Research related

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Research Development Specialist (2018)
    UTMB Health
    Research related

  • Jacqueline Hirth

    Jacqueline Hirth, PhD Jacqueline Hirth

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2010 Social Epidemiology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Completion of HPV vaccine series among insured females 2006-2009

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor and BIRCWH Scholar
    UTMB Health
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor
    Baylor College of Medicine
    Houston, TX
    Research intensive

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • HD K12/Scholar/2012
    • Cervical Cancer Free America/PI/2012
    • Bayer Pharm/PI/2017
  • Monawar Hosain

    Monawar Hosain, MBBS, PhD Monawar Hosain

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    MBBS, 1984 PhD
    PhD, 2008 Epidemiology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Young adult women - association between risky sexual behavior and ADHD; racial/ethnic differences in body fat distribution and serum lipid profiles

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    K12 Scholar
    Baylor College of Medicine
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Cancer Epidemiologist
    NH Department of Health and Human Services
    Concord, NH
    Research intensive

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • DK K12/Scholar/2010
  • Tabassum Laz

    Tabassum Laz

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    MBBS, 1990
    PhD, 2004 Radiology Research

    Topic of Research Projects

    HPV vaccine uptake in US; initiation and completion of HPV vaccination series

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Research Scientist
    Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health
    UTMB Health
    Galveston, TX
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Research Manager
    Health Research and Consulting Services
    Dhaka, Bangladesh
    Research intensive

  • Yen Chi Le

    Yen Chi Le, PhD Yen Chi Le

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2008 Social Psychology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Early weight gain in injectable contraceptive users and later weight gain

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Research Fellow
    School of Public Health
    University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Director, Innovation and Evaluation
    UT Healthcare, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
    Research related

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • CDC R25/Research Fellow/2009
    • CA U54/Faculty Associate/2014
    • CPRIT/MPI/2013
  • Ophra Leyser-Whalen

    Ophra Leyser-Whalen, PhD Ophra Leyser-Whalen

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2010 Sociology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Tubal risk markers for failure to place transcervical sterilization coils; contraceptive access following Hurricane Ike; decision making and satisfaction with outpatient hysteroscopic sterilization (Essure)

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)
    University of Texas El Paso
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Associate Professor (Tenure Track)
    University of Texas El Paso
    Research intensive

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • NR R21/Col/2012
    • UTEM COURI/PI/2013, 2014, 2014, 015
    • MD U01/Co-I/2016
    • GM UL1/Subaward PI/2016
  • Jonathan Paul

    Jonathan Paul

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2011 Biomedical Sciences

    Topic of Research Projects

    Prenatal methadone and bupropion exposure

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Research Fellow
    Maternal Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology
    UTMB Health
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Retired

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • HD U01/Diversity Suppl Research Fellow/2013
  • Ali Pohlmeier Chappell

    Ali Pohlmeier Chappell, PhD Ali Pohlmeier Chappell

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2013 Nutritional Sciences

    Topic of Research Projects

    Diet and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); food addiction

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Medical Science Liaison
    TEVA Pharmaceuticals
    Research related

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Medical Science Liaison
    Novartis
    Houston, TX
    Research related

  • Angelica Roncancio

    Angelica Roncancio

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2009 Social Psychology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Acculturation, Hispanic women, cervical screening, sexual risk behaviors, contraceptive behaviors

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Research Fellow
    School of Public Health
    University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Assistant Professor
    Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health
    University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
    Research intensive

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • CDC R25/Research Fellow/2010
    • CA K01/PI/2013
  • Ha Trinh

    Ha Trinh, PhD Ha Trihn

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    PhD, 2016 Sociology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Effects of social relationships on stress response system allostatic load

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Associate Researcher
    University of Kansas
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Senior Statistician
    Cerner Corporation
    Kansas City, MO
    Research related

  • Kristi Ward

    Kristi Ward, MD Kristi Ward

    Doctoral Degree(s) and Year(s)

    MD, 2005
    Residency, 2009 Ob/Gyn Oncology

    Topic of Research Projects

    Passive smoke exposure and cervical cytology; awareness of emergency contraception and intention to use; sexual risk behaviors; Hispanic women

    Initial Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Senior Clinical Fellow and Instructor
    Moores Cancer Center
    University of California San Diego
    Research intensive

    Current Position, Department, Institution, Activity

    Gynecology Oncologist
    Texas Oncology
    Sugarland, TX
    Research related

    Subsequent Grant(s)/Role/Year Awarded

    • Gyn/Onc Society Young Investigator Aware/PI/2011
    • Fnd for Women's Cancer/PI/2014

Contact Us

Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health
John Sealy Annex, Suite 3.108
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX 77555-0587
Office: (409) 772-2417
Email: Abbey Berenson