MEET THE TEAM
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TOMI AKINYEMIJU, MS, PHD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Akinyemiju is a social and molecular cancer epidemiologist with expertise in epidemiologic methods, translational research, health disparities and global health. Her research interests focus on identifying the impact of social (such as access to healthcare) and biological factors (such as metabolic dysregulation), on cancer related risk, tumor aggressiveness and survival. She has a specific interest in understanding the causes of cancer disparities among women of African descent in the US and sub-Saharan Africa, given their significantly higher risk of aggressive cancer subtypes relative to other racial groups.
APRIL DEVEAUX, MD, PHD
Research Scientist
Dr. Deveaux earned a BS in Clinical Laboratory Science and an MD from UNC Chapel Hill, along with a PhD in Genetics from Howard University. After graduating from medical school in 2015, she returned to the lab and completed a post-doctoral program. A molecular geneticist by training, April’s research focuses on cancer health disparities, specifically on the molecular mechanisms in prostate and lung cancers. Her work at Population Health will probe the role that social determinants of health play in the biology of cancer disparities.
ASHWINI JOSHI, MPH
Research Program Leader
Ms. Joshi received her MPH with a major in Epidemiology from University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston TX. Her interests lie in developing programs to improve quality, accessibility and affordability of health care. She is experienced in developing research protocols and grant proposals, managing research administration and operations, conducting quantitative data analysis and manuscript writing. As a Research Program Leader, she will use her diverse skill set to conduct scientific research in areas of health disparities and lead all aspects of REGAL projects.
LAUREN WILSON, PHD
Senior Biostatistician
Dr. Wilson is a Senior Biostatistician in the Department of Population Health Sciences. Dr. Wilson has over ten years of experience in population health study design and the statistical analysis of healthcare administrative claims data, survey data, and biomarkers including gene expression and epigenetic data.
CLARE MEERNIK, PHD
Postdoctoral Associate
Dr. Meernik is a cancer epidemiologist with a passion for reducing the burden of cancer and improving cancer care delivery and outcomes, particularly among populations who have been socially and economically disadvantaged. Her research interests are in identifying and addressing disparities in cancer outcomes, and intervening on the barriers to equitable, evidence-based care from diagnosis through survivorship with the goal of enhancing quality of life after cancer. She earned her MPH from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health. She likes to ride bikes in her spare time.
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EMILY ROSARIO
Senior Research Specialist
Ms. Rosario is a Senior Clinical Research Specialist in the Duke University Department of Population Health Sciences's REGAL team and Duke Cancer Institute's Community Outreach Engagement and Equity team (DCI COEE). She conducts qualitative interviews in Spanish and English, literature reviews, facilitates in IRB submissions, and assists communication for DCI COEE. As an undergraduate, she traveled abroad in Asia to study environmental and public health issues.
Ms. Rosario received her Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies concentrated in Global Health and Environment from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
JUDE RAMOS
Senior Research Specialist
Mr. Ramos attended UNCW for undergrad and graduated in 2021. He worked in two research labs while in college and the experiences there made him enjoy research. As a senior research specialist with the REGAL team, he is responsible for study implementation, including but not limited to data collection, data management and analysis.
ANJALI GUPTA
Research Assistant
Anjali is a Robertson Scholar at Duke University, pursuing a self-designed major titled, "The Interplay Between Health and Educational Outcomes." She seeks to explore the circumstances that inhibit social equity and to understand the intertwined mechanisms driving the health-education relationship. Anjali hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of medicine and educational policy.
CHIOMA OMEOGU, BA
Research Assistant
Chioma graduated from Temple University in 2019 with a B.A in Natural Sciences. As an undergraduate Chioma was involved in two different research labs, that focused on homeostasis regulation and ethanol-reinforced behavior. Her current research interests are focused on cancer epidemiology and health disparities in cancer patients. She joined the Akinyemiju research group in 2019 as an intern and is now mentored directly by Tomi Akinyemiju.
Get to know more about our Principal Investigator and the Team here
REGAL ALUMNI
MALCOLM BEVEL, PHD
Post Doctoral Associate