COMMUNITY RESEARCH
ADVISORY BOARD
WHAT IS THE CRAB?
Members of the The Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB) partner with the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention at the University of Houston (UH) to provide affiliated investigators with feedback on their research projects from conception and design through disseminating results.
The CRAB comprises individuals who are addiction recovery specialists, cancer survivors/caregivers, or otherwise passionate about addressing unique health challenges that disproportionately burden community members. CRAB members represent themselves, not their affiliate organizations or employers.
The CRAB members receive training from the Community Engagement Core of the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research ​and Cancer Prevention regarding research ethics, design, and execution. 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 and assessments utilized.
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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 to study design or implementation.
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Optimize participant recruitment strategies and materials.
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Optimize participant retention strategies.
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Ensure results and their implications are disseminated back to the communities in an understandable way.
MISSION
The CRAB works to enhance research projects (all stages) and proposals to ensure their feasibility within the community and assist researchers to translate their work back into the community in a timely manner.
ROLE
The CRAB comprises community members from diverse organizational walks of life who serve as community scientists and provide researchers affiliated with the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention with insights into:
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Obtaining information on potential project designs that best address community needs and reach communities of interest.
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Reviewing project materials for lay-friendliness and clarity.
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Providing feedback on research progress designed to enhance community participation and impact.
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Facilitating investigators’ ability to present their research to a lay audience for maximal clarity and effect.
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Providing feedback on dissemination materials promoted to the community.​
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The CRAB meets on demand, but convenes a maximum of 2 times per month. Meetings last no more than 1.5 hours each. View the current CRAB calendar here.
CRAB MEMBERS
Kirstene Butler
Program Specialist
Texas Southern University
Diane Arms, MA
Director
Center for Co-Occurring Disorders | The Council
on Recovery
Allison Rosen, MS
Director
American Cancer Society
Adrienne Gilmore–Thomas, PhD
Program Manager
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
​Rev. Marilyn White, MDiv
Senior Pastor
Trinity East United Methodist Church
Rev. Linda Davis, MBA, MDiv
Senior Pastor
Boynton United
Methodist Church
Amanda M. Williams
Immunization Outreach
Team Lead II
Harris County Public Health Office of Communication, Education and Engagement
