Lab Research
The Communicating for Health in Appalachia by Translating Science (CHATS) Lab leads research at the intersection of public health, community engagement, and digital communication to improve cancer prevention and screening outcomes, especially in underserved rural populations.
Current Projects
Rural Adult and Youth Sun Protection Program (RAYS)
Focus: Skin cancer prevention for youth athletes
Funding: National Cancer Institute
This five-year clinical trial tests the effectiveness of a skin cancer prevention program for youths involved in 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
Focus: Vaccine communication and social media
Funding: Merck Pharmaceuticals
This two-year project tests the effectiveness of using 'inoculation boosters' to shift narratives surrounding the HPV vaccine on social media. It also enhances the CHATS Lab's use of social listening as a public health surveillance tool.
Developing a Lung Cancer Screening Shared Decision-Making Intervention for Rural Primary Care
Focus: Improving patient-provider communication about lung cancer screening
Funding: West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute's Research Scholars Program
This two-year project 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
Focus: Clinical trial communication and rural engagement
Funding: West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute's Rural Roots to Research Program
This two-year project uses community insights to develop more effective communication approaches to reach rural residents to encourage their participation in clinical trials.
Developing Effective Cancer Screening Communication Approaches for West Virginia
Focus: Clinical trial communication and rural engagement
Funding: West Virginia Program to Increase Colorectal Cancer and the West Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Program
This ongoing project seeks to develop more effective communication approaches to encourage cancer screening action in the state. Currently, this project's efforts are focused on colorectal cancer screening.