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alex.parkhouse@memphis.edu
Phone: (901) 678-5308
Office: 207 Robison
Dr. Alex Parkhouse is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the School of Public Health. A medical sociologist by training, his research and teaching areas of expertise center on stress and mental health, stigma and chronic illness, social determinants of health, and qualitative methods. Dr. Parkhouse is a recipient of the University of Memphis School of Public Health Riser Award. With support from this award, he founded and opened the Community Stress and Well-Being Lab, which he currently serves as Director. He also serves as an investigator on several additional grant funded projects related to his research areas of interest. Dr. Parkhouse completed his Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of New Hampshire, and his M.A. and B.A. (summa cum laude honors) in Sociology at the University of North Dakota. Outside of the Lab, Dr. Parkhouse enjoys spending time and taking road trips with his Golden Retriever.

chitra.g@memphis.edu
Chitra Ghosh is a University of Memphis graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH), specializing in Epidemiology. She is an accomplished medical professional from Bangladesh with a strong academic background and a passion for public health research. Chitra is dedicated to enhancing her expertise in data analysis, research, and public health interventions under the guidance of experienced faculty. Before joining the UofM MPH program, Chitra earned an MPH in Occupational and Environmental Health and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from Bangladesh. Her research experience includes studying blood pressure and physical activity among government officers in Bangladesh, assessing occupational health and safety for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigating occupational health hazards among plastic recycling workers in Dhaka. Chitra has extensive teaching experience as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Medicine and as a Lecturer in Physiology, mentoring medical students in both clinical and public health disciplines. Beyond academia, she has worked with esteemed organizations like WHO and UNDP, contributing to data collection, data analysis, quality assessment of data during the COVID-19 pandemic, and health hazard assessments, sustainable plastic management projects respectively. She has also played pivotal roles in digital healthcare and public health project management in Government projects. Her research interests span a wide range of public health concerns, including health determinants, mental health, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, chronic disease, cardiovascular disease, occupational health problems, environmental health, and health safety and hygiene. Recognizing the growing importance of mental health in today’s world, she was driven to join the Community Stress and Well-being Lab, where she hopes to make a meaningful impact in addressing mental health disparities and improving well-being. Outside of the lab, Chitra dreams of traveling the world, some day!

pchouse@memphis.edu
Prada House is a dedicated public health professional and epidemiologist with experience in violence prevention, health equity, and community-based research. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in epidemiology, Prada holds a Master’s in Public Health from Morehouse School of Medicine and a Bachelor’s in Community Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prada has served as a Violence Prevention Epidemiologist with the Shelby County Health Department, analyzing trends in homicide, suicide, and domestic violence using spatial data. At Grady Memorial Hospital, she contributed to oncology research by improving patient enrollment in clinical trials and streamlining data collection process. During her fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Prada conducted in-depth analyses of drowning incidents using national surveillance datasets. Her commitment to community health extends to roles such as an outreach coordinator at Sensis Health Care, where she developed culturally tailored health campaign to address vaccine hesitancy in underserved populations, and a trauma informed care provider at Trauma and Resilience Initiative, where she implemented trauma-informed interventions for youth violence prevention. Additionally, Prada partnered with TCB Community Builders to enhance community development by promoting physical and mental well-being through shared activities. This collaboration also aimed to increase awareness of local resources that supported long-term health and sustainability. Prada is passionate about leveraging research to drive systemic change in marginalized communities. Her current research interest is health disparities, mental health, epidemiology of aging, and community health. Outside of the lab, Prada enjoys outdoor activities, exercising, and learning new techniques in cosmetology.

datsegah@memphis.edu
Dennis Tsegah is a student at the University of Memphis School of Public Health, enrolled in a Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree, Generalist Track. He earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBCHB) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Medicine and Dentistry, Ghana. Dennis is an enthusiastic young medical doctor from Ghana who is passionate about health equity. After graduating from medical school, he worked in the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the University of Ghana Hospital, gaining clinical experience in various units such as Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, and the HIV/ Tuberculosis Ward. Dennis also has extensive volunteering experience, participating in medical outreaches to remote parts of Ghana and working with underserved groups such as sex workers and people with disabilities. Before enrolling in the MPH, he worked at the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, managing clinical cases such as Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Substance Abuse. Seeing how factors like socioeconomic status and stigma created disparities in mental health outcomes drove him to pursue an MPH to make a difference back home. Outside of the lab, Dennis loves Pokémon and anime!