Education

Ph.D., Maternal and Child Health (minor Quantitative Psychology), Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, 2010

M.P.H., Health Behavior and Health Education (minor Epidemiology), School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, 2002

B.A., Biology and Anthropology (concentration Human Biology), University of Pennsylvania, USA, 2000

Country Experience

Cote d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia

Professional Experience

2015 – Present: Scientist II, FHI 360, Durham, NC (formerly Family Health International)

2011 – 2015: Scientist I, FHI 360, Durham, NC

2008 – 2011: Associate Scientist II, FHI, Durham, NC

2006 – 2008: Associate Scientist I, FHI, Durham, NC

2005 – 2006: Research Associate, FHI, Durham, NC

2002 – 2005: Senior Research Analyst, FHI, Durham, NC

Dr. Burke's skills and expertise at FHI 360 have progressed over the past 16 years from analyst to scientific leadership roles, evidenced by her positions and increased responsibilities on the following projects:

Principal Investigator

Randomized controlled study evaluating an integrated economic strengthening and HIV prevention intervention for vulnerable youth in South Africa. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), 2015-2018.

Randomized controlled trial among adult women in Malawi to evaluate the suitability of Sayana® Press (a new, subcutaneous contraceptive injectable) for at home self-injection. (USAID and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, 2014-2017)

Mixed methods quasi-experimental evaluation of economic and social empowerment interventions to reduce adolescent girls’ vulnerability to HIV in Mozambique. (USAID 2014-2017)

Household survey to identify and describe levels of household economic vulnerability in HIV-affected communities in five regions of Côte d'Ivoire. (USAID 2013-2015)

Multi-country study to assess acceptability of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) contraceptive injection delivered via Uniject (Sayana® Press) among current family planning users and providers and to offer recommendations for the introduction of this method. (USAID and PATH 2009-2013)

Project to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a communication campaign promoting increased continuation of contraceptive methods among current DMPA users in Kenya. (USAID 2006-2011)

Co-Investigator

Mixed methods study to develop a tool to measure group-level change in three soft skills (positive self-concept, self-control and higher order thinking skills) among youth 15-19 years living in low and middle-income countries (USAID 2016-2019)

Repeated, cross-sectional household survey in 16 districts of Uganda to evaluate the effectiveness of a national, integrated health communication campaign focusing on six priority areas: HIV/AIDS, family planning, maternal and child health, nutrition, malaria, and tuberculosis. (USAID 2013-2018)

Qualitative study to uncover barriers to using long-acting reversible contraception among young women in North Carolina by exploring their reasons for uptake and discontinuation of different contraceptive options. (National Institutes of Health 2011-2015)

Mixed-methods quasi-experimental evaluation of the effects of a horticulture value chain intervention on health, nutrition, and educational outcomes among children in Liberia. (USAID 2008-2013)

Qualitative study to determine the factors motivating women in Kenya seeking DMPA or oral contraceptives to try implants and to determine what influences their decisions to continue or switch methods. (USAID and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2009-2012)

Consultant who designed the study architecture and implemented quantitative analyses for a project studying the social and contextual factors that facilitated and triggered HIV risk behavior among heterosexual men in Ghana and Tanzania. (National Institutes of Health 2007-2011)

Project Coordinator and Data Analyst

Longitudinal study of microbicide acceptability in Pune, India. (USAID 2001-2008)

Sociobehavioral component of a clinical trial designed to collect quantitative and qualitative data surrounding acceptability of using ACIDFORM gel with a diaphragm. (USAID 2005-2006)

Evaluation of MTV’s global HIV prevention campaign. (USAID 2002-2006)

Two-phased study to develop and evaluate standardized tools to assess the cost, quality, and outcomes of HIV prevention youth peer education programs. (USAID 2002-2006)

Evaluation of a reproductive health curriculum in Jamaican schools and the development of a self-esteem scale for adolescents in Jamaica. (USAID 2002-2004)

Additional Experience

2017-Present: Adjunct Associate Professor in Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

2000-2002: Research Assistant, Teen Media Study, University of Chapel Hill, NC

1999-2000: Program Developer, Peer Health Education Program, Sulzberger Middle School, Philadelphia, PA

1999: Public Service Intern, Center for Community Partnerships, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

1998: Curriculum Developer and Teacher, Turner Nutritional Awareness Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

1998: Program Evaluator, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

1993-1999: Science Teacher, Franklin Institute Science Museum, Philadelphia, PA