Louisa A. Stark, Ph.D.

My research seeks to realize a vision of universal science and health literacy that empowers individuals to make informed decisions for themselves, their family, their community and our planet; increases research literacy and support for biomedical research; and sparks the interest of the next generation of biomedical scientists, while simultaneously advancing the science of education research and community engagement. My work is grounded in engaging multiple stakeholders throughout all phases of a project, facilitating development of resources, interventions, and programs that address end-users’ interests and needs, and that are scientifically accurate, engaging and effective. I am committed to collaborating with diverse individuals and community members as full partners in projects and to facilitating their participation with other investigators.

Asnaani, A., Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Kaur, K., Mukundente, V., Napia, E., Tavake-Pasi, F., Villalta, J., Lee, D., Stark, L., Brown, H., & Crowell, S. (2021). Utilizing community partnerships to devise a framework for cultural adaptations to evidence-based mental health practice in diverse communities. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.06.006

Drits-Esser, D., Hardcastle, J., Bass, K., Homburger, S., Malone, M., Pompei, K., DeBoer, G., Stark, L.A. (2021). Randomized controlled trial of a cohesive eight-week evolution unit that incorporates molecular genetics and principles of the Next Generation Science Standards. CBE-Life Science Education. September 1, 2021 20:ar50. doi:1187/cbe.20-01-0008

Docherty, A., Kious, B., Brown, T., Francis, L., Stark, L., Keeshin, B., Botkin, J., DiBlasi, E., Gray, D., Coon, H. (2021). Ethical concerns related to polygenic risk scores for suicide. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics. 2021;186B(8): 433-444. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.b.32871

Delaney, R.K., Pinto, N.M., Ozanne, E.M., Brown, H., Stark, L.A., Watt, M.H., Karasawa, M., Patel, A., Donofrio, M.T., Steltzer, M.M., Miller, S.G., Zickmund, S.L., & Fagerlin, A. Parents’ decision-making for their foetus or neonate with a severe congenital heart defect. Cardiology in the Young. 2021:1-8. doi:10.1017/S1047951121003218. PMID: 34407894

Marsh, E.E., Kappelman, M.D., Kost, R.G., Mudd-Martin, G., Shannon J., Stark, L.A., Carrasquillo, O. (2021). Community engagement during COVID: A field report from seven CTSAs. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 5:e104,1-7. doi:10.1017/cts.2021.785. PMID: 34192058; PMCID: PMC8185415

Kepka, D., Bodson, J., Lai D., Sanchez-Birkhead, A.C., Davis, F.A., Lee, D., Tavake-Pasi, F,. Napia, E., Villalta, J., Mukundente, V., Mooney, R., Coulter, H., Stark, L.A. (2021). Diverse caregivers’ HPV vaccine-related awareness and knowledge. Ethnicity and Health. 2021 Aug;26(6):811-826. DOI:10.1080/13557858.2018.1562052. Epub 2018 Dec 27. PMID: 30589389. PMCID: PMC6597331

Homburger, S.A., Drits-Esser, D., Malone, M., Stark, L.A. (2021). Building argumentation skills in the biology classroom: An evolution unit that develops students’ capacity to construct arguments from evidence. American Biology Teacher 83(2): 104-111

Frost, C.J., Johnson, E.P., Witte, B., Stark, L., Botkin, J., Rothwell, E. (2021). Electronic informed consent information for residual newborn specimen research: Findings from focus groups with diverse populations. Journal of Community Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12687-020-00496-y. PMID: 33481187

Rothwell, E., Johnson, E., Wong, B., Goldenberg, A., Tarini, B.A., Riches, N., Stark, L.A., Pries, C., Langbo, C., Langen, E., Botkin, J. (2020). Comparison of video, app and standard consent processes on decision-making for biospecimen research: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics 2020 Apr 3; 1556264620913455. doi: 10.1177/1556264620913455. PMID: 32242760. PMCID: PMC7486234

Homburger, S.A., Drits-Esser, D., Malone, M., Pompei, K., Breitenbach, K., Perkins, R.D., Anderson, P.C., Barber, N.C., Hawkins, A.J., Katz, S., Kelly, M., Starr, H., Bass, K.M., Roseman, J.E., Hardcastle, J., DeBoer, G., Stark, L.A. (2019). Development and pilot testing of a three-dimensional, phenomenon-based unit that integrates evolution and heredity. Evolution: Education and Outreach 12:13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12052-019-0106-1  

Drits-Esser, D., Coulter, H., Mannello, M., Sunada, G., Alder, S., Davis, P.F.A., Lee, D., Mukundente, V., Napia, E., Ralls, R., Rickard, S., Tavake-Pasi, O.F., Stark, L.A. (2019). The Community Faces model: Community, university and health department partners thriving together for effective health education. Collaborations: A Journal of Community-Based Research and Practice, 2(1), 10. PMID: 33728408; PMCID: PMC7959871. https://collaborations.miami.edu/articles/29/