Hannah Cory, a doctoral student in the Department of Nutrition, was selected as one of 40 scholars to participate in the second cohort of the Health Policy Research Scholars Program.
With the intention of diversifying the next generation of leaders and ensuring equity in policies, the program brings together a diverse group of U.S. scholars to collaboratively tackle persistent health challenges by creating innovative solutions through their research. The program is led by George Washington University with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
During her time as a Research Scholar, Ms. Cory will explore causes and strategies for mitigation of disparities in chronic disease outcomes, focusing on the impacts of discrimination and adverse childhood experiences on eating behaviors and chronic disease risk biomarkers amongst adolescents of color.
“I’m very excited to be part of the Health Policy Research Scholars Program as the training and funding will allow me to ask new research questions about why we see the growing disparities we see in adolescent health—questions I may not have had the opportunity to ask otherwise,” said Ms. Cory. “It also offers the opportunity for me to understand how to make sure that research can inform policy and truly address systematic drivers of health disparities.”
While participating in the program, Ms. Cory will continue full time studies at the Harvard Chan School, applying new knowledge and leadership to advance a “Culture of Health”—one that places well-being at the center of every aspect of life.
Dr. Josiemer Mattei, Ms. Cory’s faculty advisor, was pleased that she had been selected as a Research Scholar, as the program will equip her with novel skills in health equity policy that will enrich her doctoral research experience and career goals.
“Hannah is a determined and talented student with a genuine and keen interest in understanding and resolving psychosocial, dietary, and health disparities among minority adolescents,” said Dr. Mattei. “The program will give her a wider platform to disseminate this valuable work.”
Additional partners providing training and coaching to scholars include: AcademyHealth, Mayo Clinic, University of California—Los Angeles, and University of Michigan. More information on the Health Policy Research Scholars program is available at healthpolicyresearch-scholars.org.