Katrina R. Ellis is an associate professor at the School of Social Work. Her research interests include family health interventions, cancer survivorship, racial and ethnic disparities in health, and family management of chronic health conditions. An overarching goal of her research is to support the health of families facing multiple, coexisting illnesses, with a specific focus on African Americans. Dr. Ellis employs a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in her work with families, clinicians and community groups. Her published research includes examinations of the influence of co-occurring illnesses on the psychosocial and behavioral health and well-being of cancer survivors and their family caregivers using quantitative dyadic data analysis techniques. She has also published research investigating psychosocial factors that influence the health behaviors and well-being of African Americans. Dr. Ellis' future program of research includes the design and implementation of interventions to support the quality of life and healthy lifestyle and coping behaviors of cancer survivors, caregivers and family members.
She completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the Cancer Health Disparities Training Program (Department of Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health), the Center for Health Equity Research (Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine) and Carolina Postdoctoral Program for Faculty Diversity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During her time as a postdoctoral fellow, she worked with community-based participatory research projects in Greensboro and Rocky Mount, North Carolina focused on reducing the disproportionate burden of cancer morbidity and mortality and cardiovascular disease risk among African Americans and on digital health projects to support the wellbeing of peer supporters and families after a cancer diagnosis. Dr. Ellis is also a former Peace Corps Volunteer, having served as a Health Promotion Officer with the Ministry of Health in Fiji.
Research Interests
African American family health interventions; cancer prevention and survivorship; self and family management of multiple chronic conditions; racial and ethnic disparities in health; digital health; community-based participatory research
Contact Information
Education
- 2015 PhD Public Health - Health Behavior & Health EducationUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- 2008 MSW Interpersonal Practice/HealthUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- 2008 MPH HBHEUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- 2002 BA Secondary Education/ArtDillard University, New Orleans, LA
News
Activities
Publications
Honors and Awards
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Katrina Ellis Named the Next James S. Jackson Emerging Scholar |
| 2022 | Inaugural Rogel Scholar in Cancer Health Equity |
| 2020 | 40-Under-40 Alumni Award, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA. |
| 2018 | Diversity Scholars Network, National Center for Institution Diversity, University of Michigan |
Presentations
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Ellis, K.R. (January 2025). Roundtable presentation on “Dyadic healthresearch: promise, pitfalls, and emerging directions” to be presented at the Society forSocial Work Research (SSWR) Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington. Role:Presenter with T. Thompson (Organizer/Chair). |
| 2025 | Ellis, K.R. (January 2025). Symposium “Improving health & health equityamong middle aged-and older adults by targeting modifiable socio-contextual factors” to bepresented at the Society for Social Work Research (SSWR) Annual Conference inSeattle, Washington. Role: Organizer/Chair. |
| 2024 | Nguyen, A. & Ellis, K.R. (November, 2024). Symposium “Enhancing support systemsfor older adults' health and well-being: A health equity approach” to be presented at theGerontological Society of America (GSA) Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington.Role: Co-Chair with A. Nguyen (Chair). |
| 2024 | Ellis, K.R. & Woodard, A. (October, 2024). Managing research teams. Seminarpresentation for the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research(MCUAAAR) Scholar Program. |
| 2024 | Smith, M., Ellis, K.R., Wayas, F.A, Contreras, A., Vincent, C., Perez, S., Resnicow,K. Stoffel, E. (September, 2024). Development of an ehealth intervention to promoteAfrican American family communication about and use of genetic testing for hereditarycancers. Michigan Momentum: Showcasing the Cutting Edge of Social Work Science. |
Courses
Current & Future Courses
| Title | Instructor | Term | Course Section | Meeting Start | Meeting End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral, Psychosocial and Ecological Aspects of Health, Mental Health and Disease | Ellis, Katrina R. | Fall 2026 | 002 | 09:00 am | 12:00 pm | View Course |