Thompson Lab Members

My research focuses on the prevention of youth obesity and related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, through the promotion of healthy diet and physical activity. Specifically, my work can be placed into one of three categories – theory and measurement, to guide and accurately assess change; health message design to ensure developmentally and culturally appropriate intervention messages that resonate with the intended audience; and design, development, and evaluation of interventions promoting healthy diet and physical activity behaviors. Much of my intervention work focuses on understanding how to use digital media to reach youth in ways that encourage and maintain behavior change. To achieve these goals, I have developed an expertise in qualitative methods and have conducted over 100 trainings in qualitative techniques since 2001. Further, my intervention work has a firm theoretical grounding, and I have written and spoken nationally and internationally on the use of behavioral theory in technology-based interventions. I have a history of successfully conducting technology-based research and managing large, interdisciplinary research teams. I am also an experienced mentor and have successfully mentored numerous individuals (college to mid-career faculty) to help them acquire and/or refine research skills. In recognition of my contributions, in 2020 I received a Scientist of the Year award from USDA and in 2018, I was awarded the Research Mentorship Award, Professor Level, from Baylor College of Medicine.

I am currently a senior research coordinator with Dr. Debbe Thompson’s research team in the Department of Pediatrics-Nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center. I manage several behavioral nutrition studies that primarily focus on the design, development, and evaluation of child obesity prevention programs that encourage obesity preventive behaviors (e.g., healthy eating, physical activity) and reducing health disparities in underrepresented and under-resourced communities. I received a M.S. in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University, a B.A. in Psychology and African American Studies from the University of Virginia, and a Graduate Certificate in Health Disparities from the UT Health School of Public Health-Houston. I am currently a doctoral student in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth School of Public Health-Houston. I am interested in community engaged research, qualitative methods, mixed methods, and developing programs to address disparities in chronic disease, obesity, and maternal and child health outcomes.

I am currently a research coordinator with Dr. Thompson’s lab in the Department of Pediatrics-Nutrition in Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. I received my M.S. from Texas Tech Health Science Center El Paso and my B.S. in Chemistry at Prairie View A&M University. This is my first job as a research coordinator, and I have loved every bit. I love talking to families and telling them about our studies and I especially love it when families are eligible for our studies. My previous jobs consisted of being a CNA at nursing homes and hospitals and that’s where I enhanced my skill of listening. I also worked as a patient call manager at a hospital and that’s where I improved my skill in problem solving and taking action. I was able to help translate medical terminology to Spanish speaking patients and help resolve any questions they had regarding their hospital stay, prescriptions, and complaints. Yes, I am bilingual, fluent in Spanish and English.

I am currently a medical student at Baylor College of Medicine. I received a B.A. in Biological Sciences from Rice University. While at Baylor, I have been part of a research team which studied the natural history of a genetic condition called TANGO2. I aspire to be a cardiologist who works to bridge both biology and social factors to improve patients’ cardiovascular health.

I am currently a medical student at Baylor College of Medicine. I received my B.A. in Cognitive Sciences and minor in Biochemistry & Cell Biology from Rice University. I have worked in the medical industry as a research assistant and volunteer with Choosing Healthy Eating Fresh (CHEF) where I have partnered with a pediatrics bariatric program to promote healthy eating. I am interested in using qualitative research to develop interventions that optimize home environment and lifestyle practices from a young age.

I am currently an undergraduate student at Rice University studying Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology and minoring in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. I have interned in the population science department working on community-participatory research at the City of Hope National Medical Center prior to joining Dr. Deborah Thompson's group. I am interested in community-based and nutritional research in addressing health disparities in the United States. 

I am currently an undergraduate student at Rice University majoring in Sports Medicine and Health Sciences. In addition to Dr. Thompson's lab, I conduct clinical research focused on vascular neurology and orthopedics at UTHealth and Scripps Research Institute. I have a strong interest in addressing health disparities, particularly those related to the homeless and rural population. I plan on attending medical school upon graduation to further my interests in public health and medicine.