Kristi Allgood, PhD, MPH

PhD in Epidemiological Science with a specialization in Social Epidemiology, University of Michigan, 2021
MPH in Epidemiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2003 
BS in Exercise Science - focus in Physiology & minor in Nutrition, Miami University of Ohio, 1997

For 12.5 years I worked in a data driven health disparities research center nested within a safety-net hospital in Chicago where I observed the substantial health effects of racism among minoritized populations in this hyper-segregated urban city. At the hospital and surrounding communities I developed and evaluated several programs that incorporated lay health educators or navigators alongside health care providers to assist community members with understanding their illness and treatment and assist with removing barriers to making needed medical appointments in the areas of breast cancer, HIV, and Hepatitis C diagnosis and disease management. During my time at the hospital I co-taught an introductory epidemiology course for 6 years to medical professionals and graduate students at a local medical school. Both of these positions solidified my interest in pursuing a PhD. While at Michigan, I focused my professional development with formal training in Social Epidemiology through both the Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health (CSEPH) certificate in Social Epidemiology and as a predoctoral fellow with the Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health (CRECH). Additionally I further strengthened my teaching abilities through practice as a Graduate Student Instructor and by earning a Teaching Certificate with the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT). Finally, I also enhanced my understanding of the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) by earning Rackham's DEI certificate. Today I am a postdoctoral research fellow with the Health Equity, Law, and Policy in Epidemiologic Research (HELPER) team in CSEPH at the University of Michigan School of Public Health where I apply my expertise in structural racism and health disparities in birth outcomes and COVID-19 recovery.

Projects: Michigan COVID-19 Recovery Surveillance Study (MI CReSS) Health Disparities Project, Structural Racism and Birth Outcomes in South Carolina Project

Society for Epidemiologic Research Student Poster Winner (2022), poster: Vicarious Structural Racism and Infant Health Disparities in Michigan: The Flint Water Crisis.

Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture, and Health (CRECH) Scholar (2016-2018), University of Michigan

Teaching Assistant Excellence Award (2015 & 2016), Northwestern University Program in Public Health

Champion Healthcare Provider Award (2015), Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force, for my Breast Health Patient Navigation Program

Avon Foundation - Pfizer Metastatic Breast Cancer Advisory Board (2014-2016) - Inaugural Member