2024 - Present: Scientist II (Qualitative), Evidence & Research for Action, FHI 360, Durham, NC
Design and lead partner engagements with end-users in sub-Saharan Africa during pre-clinical and Phase 1 stages of product development for a range of biomedical prevention products. Generating actionable feedback for product developers on target product profiles, user acceptability and access preferences, probability of technical use success, ease of introduction and framing for uptake. Concurrently lead qualitative socio-behavioral research in support of Behavior and User Experience division of Millennium Challenge Corporation to provide facilitators and barriers to adoption of key development activities in the sectors of education, revenue generation, and agriculture.
2016 – 2024: Associate Director, Research, Behavioral, Epidemiological, and Clinical Sciences, FHI 360, Durham, NC
Coordinated staffing, proposal development, and implementation of the division's program and research efforts while managing the timeliness and quality of research deliverables. Provided oversight and methodological expertise on projects requiring research and evaluation. Applied project management best practices to ensure successful completion of research projects and other initiatives. Developed proposals/concepts, secured funding, and implemented research projects as Associate Scientist (below).
2015 – 2024: Associate Scientist, Behavioral, Epidemiological, and Clinical Sciences, FHI 360, Durham, NC
Designed and led numerous socio-behavioral and evaluation research projects, in the US and in sub-Saharan Africa, along with responsibilities outlined under Senior Research Associate below. Served as Research & Evaluation Specialist providing technical assistance and research leadership to a large 5-year USAID-funded project focused on economic strengthening, HIV prevention, and orphans and vulnerable children (ASPIRES).
2007 – 2016: Instructor, Social Research Solutions, Durham, NC
Prepared and presented trainings on qualitative research design, data collection, analysis, and write-up to various organizations and institutions, including departments of Duke University, the US Federal Reserve Bank, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Served as qualitative consultant to scientific and market research projects in design, data collection, and/or data analysis. Co-author of textbooks on these topics.
2011 – 2015: Senior Research Associate, Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, FHI 360, Durham, NC
Managed several socio-behavioral research projects, including coordination, implementation, monitoring, and technical research oversight of protocols in the US and in sub-Saharan Africa. Collaborated on research design; development of sampling parameters, protocols, interview and focus group guides, survey instruments, informed consent documents, and data collection/analysis guidelines. Co- or lead-authored peer-reviewed manuscripts and final reports; presented findings at domestic or international conferences.
2006 – 2011: Research Coordinator II, Center for Genome Ethics, Law, & Policy (GELP); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, NC
Managed all technical aspects of socio-behavioral and bioethics research, including consultation on research design; development of study instruments, timelines and budgets; training and oversight of research assistants; qualitative data collection and analysis; and oral and written presentations of findings. Within Ob/Gyn, managed several qualitative studies related to women’s reproductive health and childbirth. At GELP, managed and collaborated on NIH-funded, multi-site, mixed-method studies of ethical approaches to recontact for genetics research.
2002 – 2006: Research Analyst/Associate, Family Health International, Durham, NC
Coordinated Gates Foundation-funded socio-behavioral research study affiliated with the implementation of HIV-prevention clinical trials at three sites in Africa. Also coordinated HIV Prevention Trials Network study of research-related standards of care in seven countries, as well as several smaller family planning, contraceptive, and STI- and HIV-reduction projects in Africa and Asia. Trained field teams on qualitative research methods and research ethics; maintained day-to-day correspondence with sites; performed site monitoring; and collaborated on coding, analysis and write-up of data.