My research and academic work is focused on conducting clinical research on mental illness stigma, medical mistrust, and addressing health disparities in underserved populations.

I have received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct a novel clinical trial on the use of mobile health technology to address mental illness stigma and medical mistrust. [This study is focused on using storytelling and first hand lived experience narratives to dispel stereotypes about mental illness].

I have also received funding from the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences as an inaugural recipient of the Clinical and Translational Science Award Diversity Supplement at Northwestern.

I received a pilot NIAID/CFAR grant to study the syndemic of HIV and Depression, I collected data on the association between HIV stigma, depression, and utilization of healthcare services