Dirk Davis, Ph.D., MPH (he/him/his) is a behavioral scientist and mixed methodologist focused on improving the health of SGM communities in Latin America and the US by reducing HIV, mental health, and violence disparities through community-engaged behavioral interventions.
David Eagle, Ph.D. (he/him/his) a sociologist and an expert on the health of religious clergy, the changing shape of the churches in North American society, and the implications of these trends for the professional training of ministers.
Hy V. Huynh, Ph.D. (they/he) is a community psychologist and global mental health researcher and practitioner with a doctoral degree in International Family & Community Studies. Their research interests focus on mental health inequities and protective factors, particularly for marginalized youth and young adult populations.
Erin F. Johnston, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) is a Senior Research Associate with the Clergy Health Initiative at CHPIR. She holds a doctoral degree in Sociology and has expertise in qualitative methods, cultural sociology, and social psychology. Her research focuses on the social and cultural shaping of identity and behavior in both religious and educational contexts.
Jay A. Pearson, Ph.D. (he/him/his) examines how various forms of structural inequality influence social determination of health. Pearson's early experiences in the rural agricultural south shaped his academic interests and inform his research agenda.
Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) is community psychologist and Associate Research Professor at the Duke Global Health Institute and CHPIR. Her research interests include positive mental health, the well-being of caregivers and others who are ‘servant-hearted,’ and interventions that integrate well-being and physical health.
Dr. Eve Puffer (she/her/hers) is a licensed clinical psychologist, and an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Global Health. Her research focuses on community-based interventions to promote child mental health, improve family functioning, and prevent HIV risk behavior.
Kathleen Sellers, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) is a Postdoctoral Associate affiliated with the Religion and Social Change Lab (RaSCL), whose scholarship applies a critical lens to the policy impacts, pedagogy, and philosophy of religious schools and school systems in the U.S. and globally.
Dr. Nathan Thielman (he/him/his) is Director of the Global Health Residency/ Fellowship Pathway. His research focuses on a range of clinical and social issues that affect persons living with or at risk for HIV infection in the rural southeastern U.S. and in sub-Saharan Africa.
Kathryn Whetten, Ph.D. (they/them/theirs) is the director of CHPIR and a Professor of Public Policy and Global Health, with additional appointments in Community and Family Medicine and Nursing. Their research focuses on health disparity issues among vulnerable populations.