Erika L. Thompson, PhD, MPH, CPH, FAAHB
Associate Professor
Dr. Thompson earned her MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Florida and her PhD in Public Health from the University of South Florida. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship focused on women's reproductive health at the University of South Florida. More recently, Dr. Thompson was an Associate Professor with tenure in the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
Dr. Thompson's 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, school-entry policies, and alternative health care providers and settings for HPV prevention. Additionally, her research has focused on 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.
Dr. Thompson is a Fellow of the American Academy of Health Behavior and currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Secretary. She is also active in the American Public Health Association, Cancer Alliance of Texas, Texas HPV Coalition, and the Delta Omega Honor Society in Public Health. Finally, she is on the advisory board for the Texas Cancer Registry.
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Professional Background
Education
- 2015 - PhD - Public Health - Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
- 2013 - CPH - Certified in Public Health - National Board of Public Health Examiners
- 2013 - Graduate Certificate - Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
- 2013 - Graduate Certificate - Biostatistics - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
- 2011 - MPH - Epidemiology Concentration - Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
- 2010 - BHSc - Health Science - College of Public Health and Health Professions University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Highlights
Awards
- 2023, Faculty Achievement Award - University of North Texas Health Science Center
- 2022, Outstanding Faculty Research Award - Public Health Student Government Association, University of North Texas Health Science Center
Appointments
- 2024 - Present - Associate Professor - Department of Quantitative and Qualitative Health Sciences - UT San Antonio School of Public Health
- 2108 - Present - Affiliate Faculty - College of Public Health - University of South Florida
- 2023 - 2024 - Director of Community Engagement - Institute for Health Disparities - University of North Texas Health Science Center
- 2022 - 2024 - Associate Professor with Tenure - Department of Population and Community Health - School of Public Health - University of North Texas Health Science Center
- 2018 - 2022 - Assistant Professor and Director Director, Maternal and Child Health MPH Program - School of Public Health - University of North Texas Health Science Center
- 2016 - 2017 - Postdoctoral Fellow - College of Public Health - University of South Florida
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- Instruction & Training
- Research & Grants
- Service
- Publications