About the Lab Director

Soroya Julian McFarlane (Ph.D., University of Miami) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on designing and evaluating communication interventions that address health disparities at the community level. Dr. McFarlane’s research agenda is driven by understanding how culture influences health, and how communication interventions that translate science for diverse populations might be effective in reducing health disparities. Her recent research has been on women’s sexual and reproductive health, with the aim of (1) expanding theoretical understanding of culturally-targeted messaging and interventions, and  (2) understanding the impact of media, innovation and participatory approaches. She also leads and collaborates with US-based researchers in the area of clinical trial communication, with a special focus on vulnerable and minority populations. Her research has been published in major communication and public health journals including: Health Communication, Journal of Health Communication, Journal of Intercultural Communication Research; Culture, Sexuality and Health; and Journal of Medical Internet Research: Public Health and Surveillance.

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Before joining as faculty at UGA, Dr. McFarlane was a practitioner in health communication and worked for government, NGOs and international organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). She speaks Spanish as a second language.