Our researchers aim to better understand the daily lives of Black and/or African American youth in terms of family, neighborhood, school/work experiences, and their effects on health. We also want to learn about the challenges that teens face and the ways in which they overcome them. We aim to inform ways to disrupt potential disparities in health and education.
Ultimately, we want to understand what helps teens develop successfully and keeps them healthy, as they transition into adulthood. This knowledge could help improve medicine and support services for other teens in the future.
If you’re a Black and/or African American teen, age 14–19, you may be a great fit for this study.
Dr. Chen is the principal investigator of the On the Rise study and the co-director of the Foundations of Health Research Center at Northwestern University.
Dr. Chen received a B.A. in history of science from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She worked previously at Washington University in St. Louis, and at the University of British Columbia.
In 2012, Dr. Chen moved to Northwestern University, where she is now the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Professor of Psychology and a Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Policy Research. Her research focuses on understanding the social and biological contributors to health disparities in youth.
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Jayson Law is a Research Study Coordinator at FHRC. He received a B.A. in Political Science from Michigan State University.
Robin is the coordinator for the On the Rise Study, and previously coordinated the Mentoring and Health Study and the Family Asthma Study.
Prior to joining the research team at FHRC in 2013, she was a study coordinator, PCIT-ED session leader, and interviewer for studies of early-onset depression at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Robin received a B.A in psychology and history from the University of Iowa.
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Johanna is the coordinator for the Mentoring and Health Study at FHRC. She joined FHRC after graduating from DePaul University with a B.A. in Community Psychology.
During her time at DePaul, Johanna served as a peer mentor for students of color, a Jumpstart Corps member, and a research volunteer in DePaul’s Center for Community Research and Center for Access and Attainment. Johanna’s research interests are rooted in issues affecting African American girls, who are often underrepresented in research. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry. Johanna is excited to work on a team so focused on helping empower underrepresented populations.
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Vanessa Obi graduated from Northwestern University in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Sociological Studies and Critical Theory.
She is a Kansas City native and an avid plant person. Throughout her time at Northwestern, Vanessa conducted various independent research projects on the topic of Black mental health and wellness. Her research interests focus mainly on the intersection of social identity and multicultural psychology.
Show moreA representative from our research team will be contacting you soon. If you have questions or would like to speak to a member of the research study staff, please call 847.467.5650.
The Foundations of Health Research Center (FHRC) studies the psychosocial and psychobiological pathways involved in health disparities. Our work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and more.
We are dedicated to research that makes a difference. We ensure that all have access to our research by making our publications available for free. Access our findings and learn more about our research here.
Help us better understand health disparities through participating in one of our studies! Visit our website to learn more and sign up below to be contacted for other studies in the future.
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A representative from our research team will be contacting you soon. If you have questions or would like to speak to a member of the research study staff, please call 847.467.5650.
Please note: participating in the research study involves three visits, over a two year time period, to our research center at Northwestern University in Evanston (lasting about 3 hours).
