Harlan Jones, Ph.D.

Harlan Jones, is the Director of the Institute for Health Disparities and Associate Professor of Immunology in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center. Dr. Jones conducts biomedical and health disparity research to identify mechanisms of disease pathogenesis involved in cancer, infectious, and inflammatory diseases that disproportionately affect underrepresented minority populations. His research program has identified novel mechanisms through which neuroendocrine factors mediate host cellular immune and respiratory inflammatory responses against pneumococcal disease, asthma, and lung cancer, elucidated potential roles through which microbial species directly respond to corticotropin releasing hormone and other hormones to escape host defenses. His most recent research, defining use of “bacterio-mimetic” components for immune-based targeted nanoparticle cancer therapeutics forms the basis of this application.

Dr. Jones is a recipient of the UNTHSC Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award and National Role Model Award. He also serves as Director of the Center for Diversity and International Programs at UNTHSC. Dr. Jones believes strongly in promoting continuing education and professional development for postdoctoral fellows and early-stage faculty. As such, he has taken a keen interest in developing mentoring and professional development skills through active training within the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN). As a certified master facilitator, Dr. Jones provides training in best mentoring and professional development practices across the country. Dr. Jones directs the NRMN Professional Development Program, NRMN STAR at UNTHSC, and is Principle Investigator of two summer undergraduate research training programs funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Riyaz Basha, Ph.D.

Dr. Riyaz Basha, is an Associate Professor & Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics and Women’s Health. Dr. Basha's research expertise is in the field of experimental therapeutics, cancer and health disparities. His research focuses on examining aberrant expression of molecular markers associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis for a variety of human malignancies.

Ongoing research focuses on testing the combination of novel investigational agents with other standard therapeutic options (chemotherapy and/or radiation), and understanding the potential molecular pathways associated with proposed combinations. Novel therapeutic strategies involving small molecules, herbal products, and their analogs are under testing through rigorous pre-clinical screening using models for leukemia, pancreatic, ovarian, prostate, and central nervous system cancers. Dr. Basha is the recipient of national and international awards for research presentations including four awards from the Society of Toxicology and the best presentation award at the Conference on Drug Discovery and Development held in Dubai, UAE. He edited books and served/serving as Guest Editor for a few journals. He is a Fellow of American Association of Clinical Chemistry and trained facilitator and offering Entering Mentoring workshops nation-wide. His research and training activities have been funded by national, state and non-profit organizations.

Nolan Kline, Ph.D.

Nolan Kline is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems in the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

He was previously an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Co-Coordinator of the Global Health Program at Rollins College. His book, “Pathogenic Policing: Immigration Enforcement and Health in the US South,” was released in 2019 and he is currently the principal investigator of a study funded by the National Science Foundation focused on LGBTQ+ activism after the Pulse shooting in Orlando, Florida.

He received his PhD in Applied Anthropology and a master of public health (MPH) from the University of South Florida. His research areas broadly include health equity and social determinants of health, and he has expertise in immigrant policing and health, LGBTQ+ Latinx legal mobilization, immigration and health policy, and sexual health focusing on human papillomavirus. Much of his research is informed by theories of biopolitics, critical race theory, and the political economy of health. As an applied, medical anthropologist, his work intersects with public health, policy, and activism.

Erika Thompson, Ph.D.

Erika Thompson, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

She has substantial experience in program evaluation related to health disparities projects and programs aiming to diversify the workforce. In the past four years, She has served as the Lead Evaluator for the NIH-funded Texas Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 (2020-present), two Office on Women’s Health funded interpersonal violence prevention programs (2019-present), the NIH-funded NRMNNet (2020-present), and the NIH-funded AIM-AHEAD Leadership and Administrative Core (2021-present).

Additionally, her research interests address sexual and reproductive health, and maternal and child health issues. Most of her research is centered on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and prevention. HPV prevention is critical for reducing cancer morbidity and mortality, specifically cervical, anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Using mixed-methods approaches, she has examined HPV vaccine decision-making among adults, reasons for non-vaccination among parents, school-entry policies, and alternative health care providers and settings for HPV prevention. Similarly, she studies reproductive health issues, such as contraceptive needs and access among women experiencing homelessness. Finally, her work involves examining social determinants for maternal and child health issues in our community, such as housing insecurity, early childhood education and violence

Amanda English, Dr.PH

Amanda English, is the Associate Director for Community Engagement, in the Institute for Health Disparities.

Dr. English is a servant leader committed to enhancing the community's health. A data-oriented, strategic thinker with the ability to establish and sustain partnerships with various stakeholders to meet the needs of the community. A perpetual student, always inquiring and learning more about all aspects of life.

As the Associate Director for Community Engagement, Dr. English is responsible for community engagement efforts that focus on minority health and health disparities across the organization.

Prior to joining the Health Science Center, she served as a Senior Program Manager, in the Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research at UT Health in Houston and held various other roles at non-profit organizations and large healthcare systems. Dr. English holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Texas at Arlington, a master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in Behavioral and Community Health from UNT Health Science Center, and a Doctor of Public Health from Walden University. Dr. English has been a Certified Health Education Specialist since 2010, obtaining Masters’ level in 2018.