IDHI - Key Persons
Adrian Williams (they/them) earned their B.A. in Sociology and M.S. in Counseling Psychology. In addition to their role at the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation, Adrian founded and owns a small business, AW DEI Consulting Inc. Adrian's professional and educational background demonstrates their commitment to creating positive societal change. They have earned certificates in Diversity and Inclusion, Inclusive Excellence, Women's Leadership, and Interprofessional Education and have training in mental health, trauma-informed practices, and racial equity. When Adrian is not working and running their small business, they explore the world, travel, and spend time with their family, friends, and pup LaMelo.
Job Titles:
- Digital Platform Manager at the Institute
Aimee Rochelle (she/her) is the Digital Platform Manager at the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation (IDHI). Aimee received her MPH in 2014 from Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine with a focus on Global Health Systems and Development. She also holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining IDHI Aimee worked in Cambodia managing Viamo Inc.'s Cambodia and Indonesia ICT4D programs where she used mobile technology to address various health, economic, political and agricultural challenges. She has also worked in the Dominican Republic, Zambia and New Mexico on projects related to MNCH, SRH, as well as substance use.
Angie (she/her) has extensive knowledge in grant accounting. Angie has worked in Finance for 20+ years and has worked with Dr. Hightow-Weidman for the past 5 years. She brings experience in pre and post award implementation as well. Her grant experience has been with CDC, NIH, HRSA and the US Department of Education.
Lily Bond (she/her) is the Study Coordinator for the Intervention Research and Implementation Science (IRIS) Lab. She received her Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in December 2021 and Bachelor of Science degree in public health from UAB in December 2020. As the Study Coordinator, Lily manages the Lab's day-to-day study activities including, but not limited to, Institutional Review Board (IRB) management, creating study documents, enrolling and interacting with participants, data management and analysis, and disseminating research finidngs. In her free time, Lily enjoys cooking, playing with her dogs, barre, going to concerts, and trying new restaurants.
Job Titles:
- Subject Matter Research Consultant
Job Titles:
- Research Coordinator
- Study Coordinator
Dominique (he/him) serves as a Research Coordinator at the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation. He received a Master's in Public Health from Mercer University and holds a B.A in Psychology from St. Johns University in Minnesota. Dominique has served as a volunteer program manager for the HSTAT (Health Students Taking Action Together) Street Medicine program, a presenter for the Georgia Tar Wars initiative, and has been involved in several research projects surrounding HPV vaccinations, health education, and the implementation of health behavior interventions. Outside of work, Dominique enjoys hiking, reading and experiencing new foods.
Job Titles:
- Professor Director of IRIS Lab FSU College of Nursing
Job Titles:
- Subject Matter Research Consultant
Job Titles:
- Subject Matter Research Consultant
Job Titles:
- Research Communications Manager for the Institute
Judah (he/him) is the Research Communications Manager for the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation in the College of Nursing. He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington with a focus on community-centered integrative practice and previously earned a B.S. in Sociology from Virginia Tech. As Research Communications Manager, Judah manages social media content development, coordinates dissemination of research findings, and provides infrastructure and operational support for multi-site social-behavioral research studies.
Karissa (they/them) joins the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation as a Research Coordinator for Adolescent Medicine Trials Network (ATN) projects such as HAPPY, LYPS, IMPACT, and CHOOSE. They graduated from a university in Oregon where they received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Since graduating Karissa worked on various research projects focused on racial trauma, interpersonal stressors, substance use, and health outcomes in gender diverse Autistic adults. In addition to working in the field of research, Karissa worked as a Confidential Domestic Violence advocate for several years where they provided services to QTBIPOC and college survivors. Outside of work, they enjoy baking gluten-free treats, reading, gardening, going on walks, and playing the piano.
Job Titles:
- Professor, College of Nursing Associate Director of the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation
- Professor, College of Nursing Founding Associate Director of the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation
Kate Muessig, PhD (she/her) is a Professor in the College of Nursing at Florida State University (FSU) and is the founding Associate Director of the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation at FSU.
Dr. Muessig received her PhD at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and postdoctoral training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research develops interventions combining digital health tools, behavior-change strategies, and health systems navigation to decrease HIV transmission and improve health care for people living with HIV. She has served as Principal Investigator of multiple NIH research studies, including a six-city pilot trial supporting HIV medication adherence, a national randomized controlled trial testing stigma reduction to improve HIV outcomes, and two implementation studies to increase the availability of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in rural health clinics and community-based settings. She co-leads the Statistical and Data Management Center of the NIH Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV interventions which supports a portfolio of national research studies addressing the HIV prevention and care continuum. Dr. Muessig's methodological focus is on the use of qualitative and mixed-methods research to support the development, implementation and evaluation of multi-component interventions.
Job Titles:
- Subject Matter Research Consultant
Kendrick Forte (he/him) received his HIV diagnosis at age 18. Though unable to at that time, Kendrick later involved himself in HIV research once he obtained his undergraduate degree, first starting through the BATLab at UNC, which later moved to Florida State University, where he served as a Subject Matter Research Consultant. Using his knowledge of Finance and Budgeting, Communication Skills, and Youth Engagement, Kendrick's active participation in research protocol evaluation has provided much-needed guidance to researchers and various committees.
Kristina (she/her) joins the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation as the Senior Program Manager. She received a MPH in Health Behavior from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and a B.A. from the University of Michigan. Kristina's public health experience has included project management and intimate partner violence response and prevention. Prior to joining the iTech team Kristina worked at the Durham VA Medical Center managing research projects within the Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center and as a family violence case manager at a local domestic violence agency.
In her spare time Kristina enjoys playing with her dog, reading, and trying new restaurants in the Triangle area.
Job Titles:
- Director of Research Operations for the Institute
Matthew T. Rosso (he/him) is the Director of Research Operations for the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation (IDHI). He earned both his MPH and BA from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Prior to joining IDHI, Matthew was the Research Program Manager for the Behavior and Technology Lab (BATLab) at UNC-Chapel Hill - where he helped manage a large portfolio of research studies by supervising research staff and their effort assignments, developing and monitoring research budgets, and providing high-level input on study activities. Matthew began his public health career at the University of Michigan, where he was a Project Manager in the Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities and a Project Coordinator in the Adolescent Health Initiative.
Matthew is passionate about health equity and social change. His research interests focus particularly on groups that experience major obstacles to health associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, current and historical injustices, and the inequitable distribution of health resources.
Job Titles:
- Subject Matter Research Consultant
Miles Perry (he/they) is an avid HIV activist. Miles graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with his Master of Public Health degree specializing in Global Health. Miles received his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Public Health from the University of Rochester. Miles worked at the BATLab from 2021-2022 as a Research Assistant and will continue his efforts at FSU as a Subject Matter Research Consultant.
Job Titles:
- Co - Junior Coordinator for the Ybor Youth Clinic ( YYC ) Youth Advisory Board
- Subject Matter Research Consultant
Job Titles:
- Research Administrative Specialist
Job Titles:
- Subject Matter Research Consultant
Sandra Agola (she/her) hails from Nairobi, Kenya, and currently calls the vicinity of Houston, Texas, home. Besides working as a Subject Matter Research Consultant, Sandra passionately contributes to Houston's Youth Community Advisory Board. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Wellness and Navigation, driven by the aspiration to assist young individuals navigating life with HIV, while advocating for sexual health education to combat associated stigmas. During her downtime, Sandra indulges in listening to a variety of true crime podcasts, engaging in challenging puzzles of 1000+ pieces, and cherishing quality time with her dear ones, savoring life's precious moments to the fullest.
Job Titles:
- Subject Matter Research Consultant
Job Titles:
- Research Coordinator
- Study Coordinator
Zach (he/him) joins the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation as a Research Coordinator for projects such as EPICC+ and Tough Talks COVID. Zach brings a new set of strengths and skills to the IDHI. Zach graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Sociology and a concentration in social and economic justice. While in school, he complemented his studies taking on multiple roles promoting social change in his community, specifically at the Durham County Department of Public Health and the North Carolina Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign. Zach is also an avid graphic designer, and interested in how to use composition, technology, and visual media to reach and influence young people more effectively.
Job Titles:
- Freelance Writer
- Subject Matter Research Consultant