Advisor: Dr. Tamarra James-Todd | Program: EOME | Concentration: Environmental Epidemiology
– Q & A –
What is your background/experience prior to entering the program?
Before entering the program, I was an Environmental Research and Policy Manager for Black Women for Wellness, a reproductive justice organization in South Los Angeles.
Why/how did you become interested in Occupational Health?
My research and work experience surround examining environmental and beauty injustices, and a portion of that is focused on racial/ethnic disparities in exposure to personal care product-associated endocrine disrupting chemicals. Salon workers (hair stylists, nail technicians) are occupationally exposed to these chemicals. Through my previous position, I worked directly with and alongside salon workers in educational campaigns, research, and state-wide policy.
What is your current involvement in Occupational Health?
I am currently working on my dissertation which will examine the community and neighborhood-level drivers of hair product use in the greater Boston area. A portion of this work is focused on cataloging hair products sold in stores—including beauty supply stores where certain communities including salon workers and hair stylists purchase products.
What are your future career plans/goals?
In the future, I plan to continue conducting community-based and engaged research focused on environmental and beauty justice.
What are your current or past Pilot Projects?
Retail Environment and Hair Styling Exposure (RESTYLE) Study