Yale University

REIDS Welcomes New and Returning Fellows

The Research Education Institute for Diverse Scholars (REIDS) program recently welcomed five new and three returning Fellows to its 2012 Summer Institute. The program was designed to meet the challenges and barriers to advancement experienced by groups who are underrepresented in the field of HIV research. The experimental learning component of REIDS will provide opportunities for each fellow to develop skills necessary to engage in community-based research partnerships and advance HIV inequalities research. Each fellow also receives $20,000 to design and conduct a pilot project.

New 2012-14 REIDS Fellows:

Jemel Aguilar, Ph.D.

  • Currently: Staff Researcher, John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
  • Education: Ph.D., 2006, Social Work, University of Minnesota
  • Proposed Pilot: Examine the relationship between transitional, psychosocial case management services provided to HIV-positive African Americans and Latino/as leaving state prisons and post-release health outcomes
  • REIDS Mentor: Jean Schensul, Ph.D.

Tamora Callands, Ph.D.

  • Currently: NIDA Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Prevention and Community Research, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine
  • Education: Ph.D., 2010, Clinical Psychology, Purdue University
  • Proposed Pilot: Understand cultural, ethical, legal and practical barriers to conducting research with war-exposed young pregnant women in post-conflict Liberia.
  • REIDS Mentor: Nathan Hansen, Ph.D.

Wei-Ti Chen, R.N., C.N.M., D.N.Sc.

  • Currently: Assistant Professor of Nursing, Yale School of Nursing
  • Education: DNSc, 2002, Columbia University, NY
  • Proposed Pilot: Conduct ethnographic study of Asian immigrant HIV-positive population residing in New York City focused on cultural factors that influence their ability to self-manage their illness within the context of their family.
  • REIDS Mentor: Merrill Singer, Ph.D.

Jill Rowe, Ph.D.

  • Currently: Assistant Professor, African American Studies, Department of African American Studies, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Education: Ph.D., 2004, Anthropology, Michigan State University
  • Proposed Pilot: Empirically explore the work culture of HIV prevention in programs in the Greater Richmond area.  “How culturally relevant are DEBI programs for the CBO's that must implement them?”
  • REIDS Mentor: Jean Schensul, Ph.D.

Jennifer Stewart, R.N., Ph.D.

  • Currently: Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Global Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
  • Education: Ph.D., R.N. 2010, Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing
  • Proposed Pilot: Explore the individual, social, cultural and structural drivers of HIV testing in African American women ages 18-24.
  • REIDS Mentor: Barbara Guthrie, R.N, Ph.D., F.A.A.N.

Returning 2011-13 REIDS Fellows:

Bridgette Brawner, Ph.D., APRN

  • Currently: Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
  • Pilot: Exploration of Multi-Level Drivers of HIV/AIDS among Black Philadelphians in High HIV Prevalence Neighborhoods
  • REIDS Mentor: Barbara Guthrie, R.N, Ph.D., F.A.A.N.

Kyla Day, Ph.D.

  • Currently: NIDA Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan Substance Abuse Research Center and Visiting Assistant Professor, Kalamazoo College
  • Pilot: African Americans’ Romantic Relationships: Intimacy, Sexuality, and Substance Use
  • REIDS Mentor: Merrill Singer, Ph.D.

Rahwa Haile, Ph.D.

  • Currently: Assistant Professor, SUNY College at Old Westbury
  • Pilot: The Impact of Structural Violence on Sexual Risk, Treatment Adherence and Health-related Quality of Life Among Black MSM Elders Living with HIV/AIDS
  • REIDS Mentor: Nathan Hansen, Ph.D.



Published: Wednesday, June 13, 2012