COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CORE
ABOUT THE CORE
The Community Engagement Core (CEC) works with the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention at the University of Houston (UH) to address community-identified health challenges by rapidly disseminating scientific breakthroughs and data-driven best practices that leverage sustainable and equitable partnerships with community stakeholders.
The Community Advisory Board (CAB) and Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB) are groups within the CEC comprising community stakeholders. These groups work with the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention to strategically guide its focus and scope; provide community contribution to the design, execution, and dissemination of our sponsored research; and ensure that all of our communities have information and access to resources to promote lifelong health. The overall goal of the CEC is to develop and maintain strong community relationships and to advance the inclusion of our diverse community members in cutting-edge health research to address addictions and cancer disparities.
Resources provided by the CEC are directed toward both community members and HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention affiliated investigators. Available services and resources are broadly categorized within (1) Project Design Expertise; (2) Project Execution Expertise; (3) Dissemination Expertise; and (4) Community Outreach.
See our “CEC Services” below to learn more about the services we offer to affiliated investigators and community stakeholders.
ABOUT THE CAB and CRAB
The Community Advisory Board (CAB) consists of prominent community leaders across various sectors in the greater Houston area. The CAB works closely with the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention Administrative Core for strategic planning to ensure we are well-positioned to meet our diverse communities' needs in the areas of addiction research and cancer prevention. Click here to learn more about the CAB.
The Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB) encompasses a diverse group of community stakeholders, who are addiction advocates, cancer survivors/caregivers, or otherwise passionate about addressing unique health challenges that disproportionately burden community members. CRAB members serve as "community scientists," providing affiliated investigators with feedback about their research projects from conception (research question)
and design through disseminating results.
The CRAB members receive training from the CEC regarding research ethics, design, execution, and the importance of confidentiality regarding research projects. Thereafter, CRAB members provide their knowledge, experience, and insights in the review of research projects to:
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ensure cultural appropriateness of the research questions, measures/assessments used;
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confirm relevance of the protocol to the best interests of the targeted community or communities;
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problem-solve issues and potential barriers pertaining to study design and implementation;
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optimize participant recruitment strategies and materials;
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optimize participant retention strategies; and/or
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ensure results and their implications are disseminated back to the communities in an understandable way.
The CRAB convenes two times monthly to meet with investigators. See our "CRAB FAQ" below for more information and visit our calendar to view upcoming meeting dates. Click here to learn more about the CRAB.
Please note: We are currently updating our resource request system to provide new features and enhancements
for improved convenience and service. If you have any questions or would like to contact us, please click here.
FAQs
Interested in learning more about the services from the CEC?
Please review our CEC Services, located below, for more information.
Interested in learning more about the services from the CRAB?
Please review the CRAB details form, located below.
Does your community or your agency have an upcoming event you would like us to attend? Are you seeking health promotion expertise and health screening services?
Please submit a service request here.
Does your community or your agency have specific training needs or need an expert speaker in addiction and cancer prevention?
Please submit a service request here.
Do you have other general questions not covered here?
Please send us a message by clicking here.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Are you a community member who wants to volunteer for our community outreach activities?
Click here
Are you a community member or leader interested in serving on the CAB or CRAB?
Email HEALTHrcmi@central.uh.edu
Would you like to sign up to receive our newsletter to learn more about what we do?
CORE STAFF
Chakema Carmack
Director
Serving as the Director of the HEALTH-RCMI Community Engagement Core, Chakema Carmack is a community psychologist with a specialty in statistics and methodology. Carmack currently contributes to the field of prevention science through teaching, community involvement, and personally meaningful research. Her specific interests involve reducing the incidence of HIV and other STIs in African American and Hispanic communities.
Carmack's research interests focus on health behavior theory to create, tailor, and evaluate behavioral STI risk-reduction programs that reflect the unique cultural needs of these populations. Other areas of research focus involve the use of complex adaptive systems methodology and latent variable modeling to explore associations between psychosocial cognitions and sexual risk behavior.
Carmack received her Ph.D. in Community Psychology with a specialty in statistics and methodology from Wichita State University. She completed her Dual Appointment Post-Doctoral fellowship from the Prevention Research Center and Methodology at Pennsylvania State University.
Kristen Morrison
Director of Community Education and Outreach
Damien Kelly, EdD
Community Education and Outreach Coordinator
Pablo Panta
Community Education and Outreach Coodinator
Student Volunteers
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The HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention seeks students from all levels interested in getting involved with the research projects we fund and the community-engaged outreach work that we do. Volunteers are accepted based on a competitive application and an interview. Evaluation criteria of student applications are availability, interests, and prior experience, as well as the goals, objectives, and needs of the RCMI at UH. We are particularly interested in recruiting and providing opportunities to students under-represented in the sciences (e.g., women, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from under-represented racial/ethnic groups).
2024 – 2025 Student Cadre
Ivy Manalo​
I am a determined and reliable pre-medical student who values time and hard work. My passion for medicine has always driven me, and I dream of becoming a surgeon and conducting research to help others. Growing up in an under privileged community has inspired me to work towards providing better care for all. I am enthusiastic about educating others on disease risks and contributing towards finding cures to eradicate them. My ultimate goal is to create a better community where everyone has access to proper health care.
Lamont Bennett​
Hello! My name is Lamont Bennett and I’m Junior majoring in Public Health at the University of Houston. I’m technically from Pearland but that’s basically Houston if you squint, so you can consider me a Houston native. After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school to study epidemiology. In my off-time I like to rollerblade and dabble a bit with creative writing. If I’m really overstimulated, you can find me inside watching a horror movie. I’m super excited to be part of the student cadre and can’t wait to see what this experience brings.
Dhwani Mulani
Dhwani is a senior at the University of Houston, majoring in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Medicine and Society within the Honors College. On the Pre-Med track, she is passionate about integrating nutrition and medicine to address healthcare disparities and promote preventive care, especially in underserved communities. Her research at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on colorectal cancer, deepening her understanding of cancer biology and commitment to advancing healthcare through both research and patient care. In her role as a Senior Resident Advisor, Dhwani creates supportive spaces for students, organizing programs that promote personal and academic growth. As an Advancement Ambassador, she bridges the gap between students, alumni, and donors, fostering a sense of community at UH. Additionally, Dhwani manages her family’s business, Silk India, where she has developed leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Through her diverse experiences in research, leadership, and community engagement, Dhwani is dedicated to addressing health disparities and advocating for holistic, preventive health strategies. Her goal is to become a physician who emphasizes the role of nutrition in improving patient outcomes and advancing public health.
Viet Alex Nguyen
Hello! My name is Viet Nguyen, though I usually go by Alex. I'm a senior studying Communications at the University of Houston. I was born in Vietnam and moved to Texas when I was about ten. After graduation, I’m aiming for a career in Interpersonal Communication. In my free time, I enjoy collecting and playing card games like Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Being part of the student cadre is especially meaningful to me, as it allows me to connect with and support a community I truly care about.
Student Cadre Alumni
2023 – 2024
Kim Nguyen
Samuel Borromeo
Sara Michael
Abigayle Truong
Taylor Jones
