Sierra Carter presentation

on October 16, 2023

Sierra Carter on the importance of

understanding how racism impacts health

Carter gesturing as she speaks in front of a screen.

Dr. Carter describes her line of research studying racial trauma, accelerated aging, and the promotion of health-equity research during a presentation at UGA.

We have confronted racism in new ways in recent years, but “historically,” says Dr. Sierra Carter, “we have not had conversations about what that means for livelihood, what that means for trajectories of life.” She set about explaining why it is important to study the effects of racism on health in her presentation to faculty, staff, and students gathered at the Miller Learning Center’s Reading Room on October 12th. The presentation, entitled, “Black people deserve to grow old: Racial trauma, accelerated aging, and the Promotion of Health-Equity Related Research,” was co-sponsored by the Center for Family Research, the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research, and the departments of Human Development & Family Science and Psychology.

Carter says there has been important research in recent years on things like how racism-caused stress gets “under the skin,” some of it by people in the room she noted, but she says there is much more to do. “I think there’s still research to be done around the biological embedding of racism,” she explained. “We look at it in isolated spaces, and we don’t think about its life course impact.”

Carter’s research integrates psychology, biology, public health, and developmental science providing evidence that: (1) racism is a multi-level influence that undermines health across the lifespan and over multiple generations; (2) the existence of entrenched racism requires development of culturally-informed, prevention-oriented interventions among underrepresented populations, and (3) the deeply entrenched nature of racism requires dissemination of findings to affected populations, policymakers, as well as to fellow scholars.

Dr. Carter is an Associate Professor of Clinical and Community Psychology at Georgia State University.

Three people standing and talking. — Students lined up to talk with Carter after her presentation. Here, CFR's Steve Kogan listens to Carter talk with HDFS doctoral student Aminah Bradley-Pikes.

Three women laughing together — Carter shares a laugh after the presentation with CFR's Olive Conyers and Stacey Barnum.

Black people deserve to grow old: Guest lecture October 12

on September 28, 2023

CFR - Sierra Carter, Oct. 12, 2023 (1) (1)

The Georgia Home Visiting Institute restarts in person

on September 12, 2023

Woman standing near a projection screen talking to a small group. — Josephine Mhende, a Research Associate in the School of Public Health at Georgia State University, leads a breakout session on the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural background of families that home visitors serve.

The thirteenth annual Georgia Home Visiting Institute (HVI) was held August 29 in Peachtree City after meeting virtually the last three years due to the pandemic. HVI provides training for Georgia home visitors and staff to develop and enhance core competencies critical to their work. Two hundred and forty-eight participants came from around the state learn strategies to improve the quality and effectiveness of home visiting services, with an emphasis on supporting healthy infant/toddler development and parent-child relationships and developing skills necessary for establishing, building, and enhancing relationships with families.

HVI is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Public Health in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Public Health and CFR’s Home Visiting Technical Assistance and Quality Team (TAQ) served as the HVI planning committee.

This year’s theme, Welcome Home, was significant for many reasons. Many home visitors began to serve children and families in their homes after a long period of social and physical distancing.  In addition, many staff returned to Peachtree City, where the Home Visiting Institute has been held for many years.  And finally, for those who are experiencing the Institute for the first time, they had the opportunity to gather for a day of fellowship, fun and learning which simply felt like home. 

Woman at a podium talking to a large audience. — Michelle Lanier, CFR’s TAQ Team Director, welcomes attendees and lays out the plan for the day.

Five women stand side by side, smiling at the camera, as the Georgia Home Visiting Institute restarts in person, with textured gold circular wall art displayed behind them. — Members of CFR's TAQ Team who were at the event pose for a group picture. From the left, Nicole Copeland (First Steps Georgia State Lead); Jessica Gurnow (Parents as Teachers State Lead); Michelle Lanier (TAQ Team Director); Tracey Daniels Hickey (GEOHVIS State Lead); Paige Ferrell (Healthy Families Georgia State Lead).

Ehrlich featured in APS story

on July 28, 2023

Dr. Katie Ehrlich, UGA associate professor of psychology and research affiliate with CFR, was featured in a recent article from the Association for Psychological Science. The article entitled, “Careers Up Close: Katie Ehrlich on Studying Intergenerational Health Disparities, Finding Your Footing, and Helping Others Succeed,” tells the story of her career and includes her advice to new scholars.

Read the story: Careers Up Close: Katie Ehrlich on Studying Intergenerational Health Disparities, Finding Your Footing, and Helping Others Succeed

A person in a lab coat and gloves works with samples inside a biosafety cabinet in a laboratory setting.

Image above: Katie Ehrlich prepares samples for stimulated cell culture in the Health and Development Laboratory at the University of Georgia.
Photo courtesy: APS

CFR Celebrates Gene Brody

on June 27, 2023

CFR’s founder and former director, Gene Brody, retired this year, and CFR staff, many of his colleagues, family, and friends, celebrated his life and career at the university’s Georgia Museum of Art last week. Guests recalled his stellar career in ground-breaking research, his mentorship of students and young professionals, and his ability to be kind in all his interactions with people.

Dr. Edith Chen and Greg Miller, right, talk with Brody at the party. Chen and Miller are research colleagues who traveled from Northwestern University in Chicago to celebrate Brody’s career.

Group of people standing in a circle talking.

From left to right, Robin Nusslock, Steve Kogan, Justin Lavner, Sierra Carter, and Steve Beach chat at the celebration.

CFR’s associate director, Anita Brown and co-director, Justin Lavner at the party.

Brody standing before the audience with a large image of himself projected on a screen behind him.

Brody addresses partygoers at the end of the evening.

Two women sitting at a table with food and smiling at the camera.

CFR’s Ragonda Menefield, right, visits with Dr. Sierra Carter of Georgia State University during the celebration.

People around tables eating, drinking, and talking.

CFR’s Vera Williams and Kimberly Bennett, foreground, enjoying the party.

Beach laughing at something Anderson says.

CFR’s director, Steve Beach, and assistant director, Tracy Anderson, having a laugh.

CFR’s Tracy Anderson begins Women’s Staff Leadership Institute

on May 1, 2023

A woman with curly hair and freckles smiles at the camera, wearing a mint green sweater with fringe and silver earrings, against a plain background.

Tracy Anderson

Tracy Anderson, assistant director of CFR, has been selected to participate in the university’s Women’s Staff Leadership Institute which “provides participants the chance to explore leadership opportunities, reflect upon key leadership traits and skills, and support one another in issues that female leaders face in higher education administration.” Selection is based on current and potential for leadership at the university.

In her role at CFR, Dr. Anderson provides a wide range of leadership through management of the teams of personnel involved in our research projects and is responsible for the dissemination of our Strong African American Families programs. Read more about this year’s cohort of Institute participants.

Congratulations Tracy. Lead on!

Mei Ling Ong Promoted to Associate Research Scientist

on March 1, 2023

After a rigorous review process by committees at CFR as well as the level of the OVPR and the Provost, CFR’s Dr. Mei Ling Ong was promoted to Associate Research Scientist on March 1, 2023.

In her role as Assistant Research Scientist at the Center, Mei Ling has been the primary force in managing the large and complicated multi-wave project known as the Family and Community Health Study (FACHS).   The FACHS project has grown dramatically over the past several years as the collection of new types of samples and increasing attention to DNA and DNA methylation as predictors and outcomes has expanded and complicated data analysis.

In addition, Mei Ling has been publishing research on factors that contribute to accelerated epigenetic aging.  Her work integrates longitudinal, biological, epigenetic methods to increase our understanding of healthy development and protective processes.  As Rick Gibbons, a psychology professor at the University of Connecticut and collaborator with CFR, noted, “her expertise has resulted in a rapid expansion of the number of studies the FACHS group has been able to publish.”

In addition to the important role she has played in data management and analytics as well as her important role in publishing outstanding research, Dr. Ong has also played an important supportive role in the development of grant proposals at CFR, contributing strongly to another strategic goal of the Center.

CFR director, Dr. Steve Beach says that “we feel very fortunate to have Mei Ling as part of the CFR team – and very happy that she has been given this much-deserved promotion.”

2023 Symposium: What we are learning about the adolescent brain

on February 9, 2023

The 2023 Gene Brody Symposium was held virtually on February 9 on YouTube. Dr. Olu Ajilore, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois-Chicago, talked with Adriana Galván, Professor of Psychology at UCLA about her work uncovering the mysteries of adolescent brain development and how we can help youth in this developmental period. The discussion is available for viewing:

Gene Brody Symposiums – Center for Family Research (uga.edu)

Brody announces his retirement

on January 5, 2023

Dr. Gene Brody, CFR founder and co-director, has announced his retirement from CFR on June 30 of this year. Brody began his career 46 years ago at UGA, first as an assistant professor and eventually the status of Regent’s Professor and established the Center for Family Research in 1993. “CFR didn’t have many resources back then, “he says, “but we had some good fortune and earned the trust of rural communities and the Black families who lived there. The funders at NIH thought that what we were doing was important; they took a chance on our first longitudinal study and have continued to invest in us for nearly three decades.”

“Gene Brody has an extraordinary mind – and an amazing heart,” says CFR’s Associate Director, Anita Brown. “In 30 years of working alongside him, I never witnessed an unkind word directed at anyone. He wanted CFR to be a place where people felt respected and appreciated for doing the hard work of ground-breaking research. And because he always led with kindness, he managed to do exactly that.”

CFR’s Director, Steve Beach adds that “Dr. Brody has been a leading figure in the field for decades and has allowed the Center for Family Research to become known far beyond the walls of UGA. His presence will be missed, but his influence will continue to be felt for many years as we continue the work of CFR. We celebrate his storied career and wish him the very best as he enjoys his retirement.”

More information about Dr. Brody’s extraordinary career is available at: Gene Brody – Center for Family Research (uga.edu)

Fall Festival for Families

on November 8, 2022

CFR held a Fall Festival/Family Fun Day on November 6^th at the Lake Herrick pavilion on the campus of UGA for participants in our Health and Resilience Project (HARP). Families with kids of all ages, and our staff, enjoyed food, games, and lots of socializing during the two-hour event. We are grateful for the families who participate with our projects.

A young boy proudly holds up his painted pumpkin — A young boy is excited about painting a mini pumpkin at the fall festival.

Young woman face painting a girl's cheek — Tre Napolitano working on one of many face paintings they did at the festival.

Woman and teen boy playing corn hole and laughing — Heather Zuercher has a laugh while playing corn hole with some teens at the festival.

Woman with hands folded, listening to someone talk. — Olive Conyers of CFR listens intently at a dinner table. Festival goers enjoyed a BBQ meal as part of the festivities.

Woman smiling at the camera as a child paints her face — Jessica Smith joins in the fun by letting a child paint her face!

Woman smiling as she listens to another woman talk — Shamikia Hill chats with a festival participant.

Three smiling people in matching HARP t-shirts stand behind an information table with flyers, clipboards, small pumpkins, and hand sanitizer at an outdoor event. — CFR's Alli Moss, Heather Zuercher, and Emma Klein pose at the table welcoming families to the festival.

Category: Announcements

Sierra Carter on the importance of

understanding how racism impacts health