CHATS Lab
Advancing healthcare communication research in community, clinical, and digital settings
Current Research Studies
Rural Adult and Youth Sun Protection Program (RAYS)
RAYS is a five-year clinical trial funded by the National Cancer Institute to test the effectiveness of a skin cancer prevention program for youths playing sports in rural areas. RAYS is a collaborative study of West Virginia University (WVU Cancer Institute), the University of Utah (Huntsman Cancer Institute), and Georgetown University (Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center).
Influencing HPV Vaccine Narratives on Social Media Through Inoculation Boosters
This two-year project funded by Merck Pharmaceuticals tests the effectiveness of using 'inoculation boosters' in shifting narratives surrounding the HPV vaccine on social media. The research team will continue to hone its use of social listening as a form of digital public health surveillance.
Developing a Lung Cancer Screening Shared Decision-Making Intervention for Rural Primary Care
This two-year project funded by the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute's Research Scholars Program uses community insights to develop a targeted interpersonal communication intervention focused on strengthening patient-provider conversations surrounding lung cancer screening in rural primary care clinics.
Understanding West Virginians' Perspectives on Clinical Trials to Support Research Engagement
This two-year project funded by the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute's Rural Roots to Research Program uses community insights to develop more effective communication approaches to reach rural residents to encourage their participation in clinical trials.
Developing Effective Cancer Screening and Prevention Communication Approaches in West Virginia
This ongoing project brings together partners such as the West Virginia Program to Increase Colorectal Cancer and the West Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Program to develop more effective communication approaches to encourage cancer screening and prevention action in the state. Current efforts are focused on colorectal cancer screening, lung cancer screening, and HPV vaccine uptake.