LEADERS
The HEALTH–FAST Program is led by Dr. Ezemenari Obasi and Dr. Lorraine Reitzel who contribute to the curriculum and provide the scientific, administrative, and financial oversight for the program.
Lorraine R. Reitzel, Ph.D.
Dr. Lorraine R. Reitzel, FSRNT, FAAHB is a Professor in the Department of Health Disparities Research at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research program focuses on tobacco control, implementation science, and the social determinants of disparities in cancer-related risk behaviors and associated clinical endpoints.
She is the co-founder and former co-director
(2016-2020) of the HEALTH Research Institute, a multidisciplinary university-level research institute focused on the conduct of community-informed translational research to reduce health disparities experienced locally and across the nation. Dr. Reitzel is the Principal Investigator of the Taking Texas Tobacco Free program, which has been supported since 2013 through multiple grants
from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and was one of 2 Principal Investigators of the UHAND Educational, Training and Research Program, funded by the National Cancer Institute. She formerly served as a Co-Investigator on UH’s NIMHD-supported RCMI, the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention, directing its Community Engagement Core and
its Investigator Development Core, and has long been involved in IRB committees, including as IRB1 Chair at the University of Houston (2015-2022).
Dr. Reitzel has a history of sustained team science funding from the National Institutes of Health (e.g., R01, R21, P20, P60, U54), the Cancer Prevention
& Research Institute of Texas, and UnitedHealth Foundation where she’s served as the primary
or co-investigator.
Ezemenari M. Obasi, Ph.D.
Dr. Ezemenari M. Obasi is a Professor in the Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences at the University of Houston. His research program focuses on addictions, health disparities that disproportionately affect the African American community, stress physiology, and cultural predictors of health behaviors and cancer prevention. He is the founder and director of the HEALTH Research Institute. Additionally, he is the Principal Investigator of UH’s NIMHD-supported RCMI, the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention, and also serves as the Associate Dean for Research in the College of Education. Dr. Obasi has a history of sustained team science funding from the National Institutes of Health (e.g., R01, R03, R13, R21, P30, U54), the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, and UnitedHealth Foundation where he’s served as the primary or co-investigator.
SUPPORTING STAFF
Staff members provide support to the program, including coordination of meetings and events, communications within HEALTH–FAST and between our external advisory group and internal stakeholders; management of required progress and annual reports and non-competitive renewals; management of the budget and regulations; and coordination of all program activities.
Tzuan A. Chen, Ph.D.
Dr. Tzuan A. Chen, is a Research Assistant Professor and Biostatistician at the HEALTH Research Institute at UH, where she provides statistical support on grant applications, manuscripts, progress reports, and offers statistical support and data management
on large-scale sponsored research and dissemination projects associated with
the HEALTH Research Institute and the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research
and Cancer Prevention. Dr. Chen has expertise in applying advanced statistical
and psychometric models in health-related research, social-behavioral science, and medical field studies. She has substantial experience in clinical trial design,
generalized linear mixed modeling, power, and sample size calculation, and other statistical procedures commonly used in population sciences and with Ecological Momentary Assessment data. She has an extensive record of collaboration with Dr. Obasi and Dr. Reitzel.
Safiya Friday
Safiya Friday is the Program Manager for
the HEALTH Research Institute. She has earned her Bachelor’s in Biological and Physical Sciences from the University of Houston-Downtown. Safiya is an advocate
for bridging the gap between formal
science practices and its applications in disadvantaged communities. She has
worked with the Grenadian-based non-profit organization, “Refreshed: Sacred Healing Retreat,” which emphasizes nature-based therapies as treatment of physiological and behavioral discomforts. Safiya will provide institutional and administrative support to promote health education and support methods that respond to the cultural, environmental, and health needs of
Houston’s underserved populations.
Hinal Patel
Hinal Patel is the Program Manager for
the HEALTH Research Institute. She has earned her Bachelor's in Dentistry from
India and a Masters of Public Health from
the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy
and Health Sciences. She has experience
in coordinating health-based programs
and her interests include health equity, education, and promotion. Hinal has
worked with underserved populations and diverse communities to create awareness
for oral hygiene measures and the ill-effects
of tobacco consumption on health. She has recently worked to coordinate the Healthy Voting Project to help community members safely cast their ballots while minimizing
and preventing the spread of COVID-19
and the flu.